Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-02-26

hCSUtVCu, uHuHlWOV3ty, Hdt the
thanks Of this Socicty be presented
to RICHARD s. COKE, Esq. for his
elegant and appropriate
D Il lTION,
this day delivered. and that he be re-
quested to furnish copy thereof for
publication.
Extract from the minutes.
G.. L. THOMPSON. Sec.
February 81, 1924.
The recurrence Of this anniversary, fur
nishes 10 the people OF the United States,
IN almost every quarter OF our extended
borders, a suitable occasion to review our
past bistory--to mark the events OF this
interesting period, and 10 speculate upon
those which still lie enveloped in the dark
ness of futurI:y. Every such opportunity
should be embraced with alscrity in free
country. Living under form OF govern
ment which acknowledges no other foun.
datoD for its powers than the general will;
which admits no other object of its insli-
tulions than the public good; where all au-
tborily not only emanales from the people,
but must b. exercised under The eye and
10 subservienCe 20 the wishes OF The COM
munty al large; lbe national prosperity is
most effectually promoted by rousing into
activity the intellect oil the country. By
displaying the connection between our &C
tual happiness and The character OF our
political institutions, more ardent spirit
of patriotism is engendered, and the warm
glow OF philanthropy aDimaies and mel
lows the love Of freedom. Such, also, is
the peculiar situation in which the people
OF this country stand, that scarcely an e.
vent Can transpire OF any Importance, in
any quarter of the globe, which fails 10
attract their attention, and to awaken
them to reflection. Every such excite
ment augments me intellectual resources
OF the country; and healthy state of pub.
lie opinion, so ssse ntial 10 the correct adj
maistraton OF the government, is thus in
cessantly promoted.
No more suitable occasion can be pre-
sented lo.induIge in speculations OF pc.
litical character, than when We are con.
vened to celebrate the memory of The he
70 who achieved our IDdependepce--the
statesman who laid the foundations Of our
government, and established the true
principles of our foreign and domestic
poIicy-the citizen whose name alone
would '.ksep inst of bis country ~spec.
table in every other OF the giobe"-the
individual n.o. to borrow the lofty and
well earned eulogium, pronounced by
one of the most competent judges and IL
lustrious orators Ut the age, "Inore than
any other human being gave TO the world
the example OF perfect man"
Nor can any period be better calculated
10 awaken our sell CALCULATIONS tor the in
cstimable advantages which we enjoy,
than when the peaceabe and secure pos
session OF them is exclusively OuI own
When we cast our eyes throug bout. The CT
viized world, and tcontemplate the scenes
which present themselves TO our view, by
how many motives are We stimulated 10
express our obligations 10 that man, who.
under God, has preserved US from sharing
in those calamilies with which other ma
tons are afflicted? When contracting our
view, we trace throughout these extensive
states, the copious streams OF wealth, OF
freedom, Of intelligence, and OF domestic
comforts, of which we enjoy so liberal a
share. how much should our gratitude be
augmented?
For all these blessings, and tor all these
obligations. this annual expression OF
nations thanks, is the only monume nj we
have raised to the memory OF our Wash.
jpelon. SO long as We continue to enjoy
our iberties-so long as we continue
prosperous under our present political
ins,,iutions--so long Washington will
need no msusoleun 10 perpetuate his
fame:--no monumental column to illus
trate bis greatness. He lives in the re-
collections of his counIrymen; he lives 10
their political institutions: he lives in
their individual and genera prosperity"
"While stands The coliseum, Rome shall
stand"
II must, however, be recolIected that
Washington himself erected these monu
men,s OF bis greatness. tie achieved our
independe nee; and while we continue
free. we cannot forget bim. 10 him, more
than 10 any other individual, are we Ia.
'debied for our forms Of civil polity; and
while that continues to bind together
these states, to protect the rights and to
promote the felicity of millions. he can
never die. He taught us the true prlncl.
Piles by which that government was 70 De
administered; and while the records Of
his Presidency exist, they constitute tro-
ply more honorable to him than seulp'ur II.
marnIe statues. But while these things
exist as monuments OF his greatness, are
thew not equally testimonials Of national
ineratitude? They were not erected by
,,s TO record his Worth, out are themselves
The evidence al the debt we owe. Wash
ing,on requires no splendid obelisks Tor
the augmentation of bis gioTy-tbey are
necessary only to relieve the country
from The reproach of ingratitude. They
-, ..,;,pafo nf his services