Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-10-23
ALBERT GALLATIN'
ADDRESS TO GEN. LA FAYETTE
nv M cuTTtNG. Of wIsuIycro,

ADDRESS TO GEN. LA FAYETTE
By DR.. CUTTING, OF WASHINGTON.
General La Fayene, our ,nmutabls friend.
This part of our country contains bu, ,
few remnants of your Revolutionary COM
rades They unite with their brethren
who, from Maine to Maryland, in their rs'
spectiye cities. have recently rejoiced in
expressing 10 you those exalted sentiments
o. attachment and respect with which ten
millions Of freemen are animated Our re-.
petition of them, under the folds of hi,
consecrated drapery, is animated by as
sociations peculiar and imposing. We ara
assembled TO welcome you TO the Metrono,
Lis of the United States-the Seat oil IN.
National Government-the site selec,sG
by the Father Of bis country.
Can any scene afford associations NOR.
appropriate to our purpose OF honoripg The
ilIuatrious and beloved guest of the paIoOs
When we glance at the Capitol or sur.
vey, in perspective. Mount Vernon. rem.
dered sacred by the ashes of Washington.
can we forget the achievements of your
youth, or the exploits of your manhood
your glorious and triumphant efforts in
councils Of war, and in fl Ids of battle
the treasure you gave when it was soreY
needed, and the blood you lavished in yl6.
dicalDg The rights OF man, and the eternal
principles OF justice and eedom?
In llIe's gay morning, in the bloom Of health,
Flush d by each grace OF love 4 gift of wealth,
When all that charms each sense, or pampen
pride,
Thy rank embellish'd, or adorn'd thy bride:
Twas then, Fayette, that thou dust dare the
wave,
To seek the banner of the free and brave:
Didst nobly succour our exhausted Band
Devoted guardians of bleeding and
O who that thinks, can e'r for get that hour
When Freedom, smitten by the arm of Pow'r-
Pale, anguish d Jersey mighty hosts o'erran,
And Patriots trembled for the rights OF man.
In times ofterror, when the warm grew cold,
The timid falter'd, and the bad were bold
Twas then we saw Thee smile, and-frm a,
March by the side of Washington the Great;
Pupil magnanimous-imbibe his mind
Model of Heroes-hope of human. kind
twas then, our waning grandeur to advance
Forgetting all the charms OF beauteo' Franc
Twas then, disdaining pleasure, ease. delight,
Thou bed'st with heroes in disastrous fight.
Thenceforth .hls truth did gallantly display
True gtory's path, IS L'berty's htgh,cay
AT York and Mon mouth, IN the sharpest fight
Green were thy laurels,a as thy sword was bright,
Till brave CORVALLIS pll d SURRENDERED arms,
And independence shone in placid charms
While Time enrols tn achievements OF thy
youth,
Romance and Fiction yield the palm to Trut;
We'll may the Lyric muse neglect her shells,
Where History's pen the sweetest harp exce...
What deathless wreatbs adorn thy WIDE career
But Freedom most exuDts to wave them here:
Freedom, whose genius swells Coumb a'ssonI,
Till grateful tears burst forth beyond control
Come, then, Fayette! accept deserv'dappause.
Who fought and bled in Freedoms sacred
Take we'll earn'd praises, fervent and sublime:
Furnished and Frightened by the wings Of
Take frop, the City ofthat Hero's name,
Dear to thy soul-cmhlazon' d by thy fame
Honors that grateful lofty minds dIate,
Ordain' for deeds imperishably great!
Thrice happy land, where gratitude SO pure,
Makes virtue lov'd and liberty secure:
Happy, where moral warmth delight IWpsfet
That renders Justice sweeter to our hearts;
Where public spirit, luminous as free,
Stirs millions, 60 one suffrage, to decree
immortal garlands, borrow'd tlom no tnroO'
10 cherish and exalt good deeds alone!
Noble Of nature. hail! above high birth
Mirror and pride of Freemen Ter the earth:
Consistent, steadfast, firm, in veal and VOC,
Famous for virtue, spotless as the snow
In gloom of bondage, or in radiant sway,
In cells Of death, or lofty mansions gay"
Hail, friend of Justice, probity and night
And equal laws, and universal light
No action of whose life, up glorys Ste'P'
Makes virtue blush, or generous spirits "}0p'
Live long enjoying to thy latest hour,
The fair result of Freedoms liberal power
The fruit of her blest institutes unfold,
To soothe the timid and excite the bold!
The gifts that Kings to sefviIe men aSsIS"'
Let parasites, obsequious, deem divine:
Fit baubles for the empty, mean, or PROUD
Gilt toys and tinsel, to deceive the crowd -,
But nought that despots grant, or car "l'O'
hold,
No title, badgs, barbaric pearl, or gold:
Can ever crafty true glory's thirst.
Like grateful tears that from nation OIL S''N'
Tribute that happy millions now lmPar'' ILL.,,
That swell. spontaneous from each tni00O"S
heart;
Where one lov'd Benefactor all commend;
Exalt the Patriot, and embrace the FrIS"o'
The General replied as follows:
While | embrace you, sir, and MAKE ny
acknow ledgments to those OF our he' ne, o"i.
tionary comrades, in whose name you "s'
come me 10 this Metropolis, be a'sl'e.
hat reciprocate those expressions o, IL
achment, which, from them. are PENS dIos
rlv oratityiug. And, although ~ uo'Ii