American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-04-02
Mr.. JEFFREY'S SPEECH.

49, containing the following eloquent and liberal speec
of Mr.. JEFFEnEY given at the recent celebration at Elt
burgh, in honor OF the late G. J. For. lhe sentiment
themselves are such, must prove highly acceptable
every American reader. But when we consider them q
coming from person distinguished in the walks of lite
rature and politics Mr. L6ey they come home to on
feelings with increased effect His appreciation of the il
dependent and dignfed position assumed by our Excel
tive in relation to the European allies is not less Just
generous, that his eulogu on the silent yet powerful If
uence which the prosperous example OF our purely dt
ocrac constitution is exercising the rest of the world
The latter sentiment reminds irresstbly of an .ares
the anniversary of Our independence, delivered in th
city than two years since, by of most emne
and republican citizens; in which the importa
truth is eloqueny enforced, in reply 10 the Transatlantic
queson Hhat has .fDiericd done t5r tie benefit of man
kind z"
" Let our answer (said Mr.. Alams) be this Amerc
with the voice which spoke herself into existence
nation, proclamedt to mankind the nexngushabe right
Of human nature and the only lawful foundations OF gov
lernneut America, in the assembly Of nations, since he
admission among them, has invariably, though oite
fruitessy held forth to them the hand of honest friend
SHIP OF equal freedom OF generous reciprocity She ha
uniformly spoken among them, though often TO needles
and often to dsanl ears the language of equal liberty
of equal JUSTICE and of equal rights She has in the laps
iof nearly half century, without single exception,
spected the independence of other nations, while asscrn!
and maintaining her She has abstained from inter
ference in the Of others. when the conc
has been for principles to which she clngs, as TO III,
lbaby for centuries come all the Of that Acel
dana, the European world, will be of inyetcra
emerging Wherever
freedom and independence has been shall he unfed
there will her heart her bcnedctons and her PRAYERS
But she goes not abroad in search of monsters destroy
She the wellwsher TO the freedom and independence
OF all She is the champion and vincator ONLY Of her
She will recommend the general By the
OF her voice, and the bengnat sympathy of her example
The truth of this sentiment we now find acknowledged
by Europe herself in the subjoned speech Of of he
most enlightened sons Vat Journal
Mr.. JEFFREY rose, and was welcomed with long
and loud applause. After this had subsidized he
proceeded. Though it is the principal business
lot meeting like this to do honor TO the champions
o our own rights, and the Piles Of our own
freedom, propose now, with your iord.hip's indul-
gence to bring under its notice the concerns and
the merits oil another country, which though thank
God, now foreign and independent in relation 10 US,
trust never will be regarded as alien either to the
people OF Britain or the common interests of liberty
i allude my lord, to the United States of America
II IS net any part, however, of my purpose, to en-
large on her present greatness and growing impor-
lance, or the mighty influence which she is destined
hereafter 10 exercise ON the fortunes Of the world
To that iuturity it is anmating to look forward and
TO think that there is nothing in the prospect presen-
ted to US that is not bright with the promise OF great
improvement. But it is rather to her present con-
dilon, and to the advantages we have already derv-
ed from her, that may wish to call the attention
OF the meeting For, TO my mind that nation has
already done the most essential service 10 the cause
OF freedom not perhaps so much by the conduct Of
her people, or by the acts Of her governments as
by her mere existence, in peace, respect and pros
perity, under institutions more practically popular
and constitution more purely democratic, than
have ever prevailed among civilized men from the
beginning of the world; thus affording a splendid
illustration and irrefagable proof of the possibility
OF reconciling the utmost extent Of freedom with
the maintenance OF public authority, and the greatest
order and tranquility and security to private RIG hts
with the most unbounded exercise Of political ones
What else, indeed, can furnish SO conclusive and
triumphant refutation Of the pltilu sophisms and
absurd predictions by which the advocates of exist
ing abuse have at all times endeavored to create
yea ousy and apprehension of reform? You cannot
touch the most corrupt and inbecile government
without unsettlng the principles and Infringing the
frame OF society," you cannot give the people politi-
cal rights without encouraging them to be dsobe-
dent to lawful authority and sowing the seeds Of
continual rebellion and perpetual discomfort, nor re-
cognlze popular preensions in any shape, without
coming ultimately to the abolition of all distinctions
and the division and destruction of all property ::
without involving society, in short, in disorders at
once iFightiul and contemplate, and reducing all
thngst to the level OF an Insecure, and gnoble, and
bloody equality. Such are the reasonngs by which
we are now 10 be persuaded that liberty is ncompati-
BILE with private happiness or national prosperity,
and that the despotc governments of the world ought
to be maintained if it were only to protect the peo-
pie from the consequence of allowing them any
control over the conduct Of their rulers Tothese
we need not now answer in words, or by reference
to past and questionable examples but we put them
down at once, and trampe them contemptuousy
TO the earth, by short appeal to the existence and
condition OF America! What is the country 9th
universe, would now ask. in which property is
most sacred, or industry most sure Of its reward?
Where is the authority of law most omnipotent?
Where is intelligence and wealth most widely diff
fused and most rapidly progressive? Where is So
ciety IN Its general description most peaceabe, and
orderly, and moral, and contented Where are