Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-12-22
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all inc recent Commissions of Europe,
amidst after the dispersion of, every
political storm, the people of the United
States have ever beheld you true to
your old principles, firm and erect,
cheering and animating, with your we'll
known voice, the votaries of Liberty,
its faithful and fearless champion, ready
10 shed the last drop of that blood which,
here, you so freely and nobly split in
the same holy cause.
1.-The vain wish has been sometimes
INDUCED that Providence would allow
the Patriot, after death, to return 10 his
country, and to contemplate the inter-
mediate changes which have taken
Place--to view the forests feIIed, the cit
les built, the mountains leyelled, the
canals cut, the highways constructed,
the progress of the arts, the advance
ment of learning, and the increase of
population. General, your present Wis
llt to the United States is the realization
OF the consoling object of that wish.
You are in the midst of posterity Ev-
cry where you must have been struck
with The great changes, physical and
moral, which have occurred since YOU
left us. Even this very city, bearing a
venerated name, alike endeared to you
Y to us, has since emerged fromthe for
est which then covered its site. In one
respect, you behold us unaltered, and
that Is, in the sentiment of continued de-
Votlon to liberty, and Of ardent affection
and Profound-gratitude to your depart
ed friend, the father Of his country, and
10 yourillustrlous associates, in the field
and IN the Cabinet, for multiplied bless
lhgs which surround US, and for the We
ry privilege of addressing you, which
now exercise. This sentiment, nov,
fondly cherished by more than ten mil
lions of people, will be transmitted, with
undated vlgor, down the tide of time,
through the countless millions who are
destined to inhabit this Continent, 10
their latest posterity."
To which General La Fayette replied, saws
one of the Washington papers, "in tone in
which energy of character and sensibility of
feeling were most Interestingly blended,' to
the following effect
"Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the
house Of Representatives.
"While the People of the United
States and their honorable Representa-
lives IN Congress have designed to make
choice OF me, one of the American vet
Grams, to signify in his person their es-
TEEN for our joint services and their at
tachment to the principles for which
we have had the honor to fight and
bleed, am proud and happy to share
those extraordinary favors with nv
dear Revolutionary companions-yet it
would be, on my part, uncandid and un-
grateful not to acknowledge my person
al share in those testimonies ofkindness.
as they excite in my breast emotions
which no words could adequately ex-
press.
"My obligations 10 the United States,
sir, far exceed any merit | might claim.
They date from the time when | have
had the happiness to be adopted as a
young soldier, favored son of America.
They have been continued to me du
ring almost half a century Of constant af.
lection and confidence, and now, sir,
thanks toyour most gratifying invitation,
ind myself greeted by series of well
comes, one hour of which would more
than compensate for the public exertions
and suferings Of a whole life.
1.-The appreciation of the American
people and their Representatives, for
my conduct during the vicissitudes of
the European Revolution, is the highest
reward | could receive. Well may |
stand "hrm and erect" when in their
names, and by you, Mr.. Speaker, am
declared 10 have, in every instance,
been faithful TO those American princi-
pies ofliberty, equality, and true social
order, the devotion TO which, as it has
been from my earliest youth, so il shall
continue TO be to my latest breath.
"You have been pleased, Mr.. Speaker,
to allude TO the particular felicity of my
situation, when, after so long an absence,
am called to witness the immense i'm
provements, the admirable communica-
tons, the prodigious creations of which
we find an example in this City, whose
name itselfis venerated Palladium
in word, all the grandeur and prosper
ity OF these happy United States, which,
at the same time they nobly secure the
complete assertion Of American indie
Pendence, reflect on every part of the
world the light of far superior politi-
cal civilization.
''What better pledge can be given of
a persevering national love of liberty.
when those blessings are evidently the
result of virtuous resistance to oppres-
slon' and OF institutions founded on the
rights Of man and the Republican priuci-
pie OF selt-goyernment? No, Mr.. Speak