Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-20
PHILADELPHIA, Aug, II.

In fuye'te.-it is with a feeling of pleasure
beyond the power of language to express. that
we yesterday learned the arrival of Gen 1T,
fayeHe. This distinguished patriot came pas
senger IN tine Cadmus, from Havrc, arrived at
view 4 ork on SUNDAY afternoon, after passage
OF 81 days. The interest and anxiety with
which the event was anticipated, are bcvord all
former precedent. No individual since the fall
OF Bonaparte has claimed the notice of America
SO exclusively, and if Washington himself were
to awake from his sumbcrs in the cencntry of
Mount Vernon, we question whether he would
rise above the popularity of La Fayette! The
eyes OF all the world are fixed upon him He
seems TO come among us after his long project
ed visit, like the bursting brillIancy of rocket
whose kissing had threatened some display, but
the spiendour of whose subsequent explosion as
tonished and bewdered the beholders In the
annals OF this country, no event of equal insg-
nihcauce ever caused so great and SO universal
sensation. From one extremity to the other
every pen is occupied in spreading his fame:
every tongue is pronouncing his cuogies, and
the whole collected mass of citizens is endeay-
curing to render bin that homage he SO instlv
merits.
Here indeed we NAV pause. The scene he.
fore us isincouceivably grand. Language fails
TO represent the feeling it creates. History pre-
sents no parallel. Kings and Princes NAV re-
ceIve the adulations of their subjects tvrants
may compel the homage ofan ovcrawed populo-
ton; and dcspots boast that thousands crouch
before them; butt is reserved for Patriots onI,
to feel the pleasure of receiving from grateful
nation the honest and spontaneous tender Gifts
gratitude. The unanimty that marks the offer
is as singular as itmUst be gratifying. Let the
sneering cynic search the heart Of every man
from Maine to Georgia, in the unrirhtcons hone
of finding one who differs from the rest of Ame.
RIGA, and he will find his Iabour fruitless. ia
merica at this day, could have an dol more wor-
Thy of homage than her Constitutions, it would
be La Fayette. We admire him for his disin-
terestcdness; we love him for his personal rool-
ness; and bless him for his firm undertaking pat
rlOtIsm. We respect the memory fthc heroes
OF the Rcyoutlon, for, while they fought for their
insulted country, they resented her wrongs with
glorious success, and finally fixed her, Repub-
lic or basis, too Interchangeable to be shaken By
the commissions that have crumbled thrones and
empires. In all the trying scenes through which
they passed, they looked forward to the peace
ful establishments Of their defendants. But the
views of La Fayette were different. lie was
a stranger ana alone. With The fate Of the
country his friends were not involved. is true
nc may have thought with many of his conicn-
porary officers, but they had every thing at stake.
Ills motives were philanthropy; and such as ne
yer has been exccllod. a princcly fortune sa-
criliced 10 prop The lettering fortunes of an in
surgent army. young and lovely family LEFT,
10 beGofoe the inmate Of = camp But Iibertv