The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-11-09
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Inc late visit OF LAFAYETTE 10 tnis cOun-
try has been productive of one good effect at
least; inasmuch as It has tended TO remind
the public Of many departed worthless, and
has furnished convincing proof of the inius-
tice of the charge, that has sometimes been
made against our countrymen, of neglect TO
the memory of our great men-a charge in
deed Of no small magnitude, for ingratitude
is one of the basest crimes in the catalogue Of
human offences. Ii is of so deep die, that
but few are willing to acknowledge themselves
guilty of it. 1t stamps the implicated indi-
yidual with fault, which the most rigid viz
tue can never afterwards entirely obliterate,
On this account, therefore As Parcirss :sia urls
-Objicienda."
This is an accusation, not only Of ingrati-
tude, hut also of injustice and imprudence.
love OF fame is, in some degree, inherent
in man. Thersate few, if any, who do not
wish their names TO be remembered by poster
ity, particularly among the higher classes. 1t
is feeling, when subordinate to the happi-
ness and prosperity of mankind, that may
be safely and honorably INDUCED at all times
ny the truly great and good, The warrior
and statesman look forward with pleasure to
| their future renown. They often regard post
humous eulogium and celebrity the most val
and mertorious deeds. 1t is then unjust to
withhold it.
Few men, believe, have patriotism enough
to devote their time, their talents, and their
| lives to the service Of their country without
| reasonable prospect of remuneration. And
can any be considered such, which consists
merely of pecuniary return such as is given
to every venal mercenary, or of the empty
shnrf-liVod 1latI of dow h.
of the mob, or the shouts of the populace?
Will these satisfy the great and magnanmouso
Will these alone ensure their services to their
country, when they see the names OF former
worthless, together with their noble deeds,
consigned to oblivion by their ungrateiul
countrymens Such conduct as this would
tend to cramp all laudable ambition and en-
terprise, to withdraw capa5ility and merit
from action, and cause the affairs Of state to
be abandoned to the base and unskiful,
Hence it is impoltic to neglect the memory Of
| our great men.
OF all the scurrilous reproaches. heaped on
our country by transatlantic calumniators, the
one under consideration appears to be, not
only the most severe ard unjust, but also the
most palpably untrue. 1t is the legitimate
offspring of malice and envy-an imp of Eu-
l
Of foreign self-conceit and jealousy.
| This charge is false-warmer gratitude was
never felt by man, than glows in the bosom
! of Americans. more grateful remembrance
| OF departed heroes and statesmen than is che
rshed by our countrymen for Washington, br
Putnam, for Green, for Gates, for Hancock,
for Adams, for Hamilton and for Ames ney,r
dwelt in the breast of mortals Their names
/ often re- in no ba1l
fame, and even the retired nursery. Th.ir
worth Is known, and their memory venerate.
Their characters are held up as models for mi
'ation, and their lives as patterns of excel
ence~ Yet, "Americans are foreetful of tie
memory of their great men,"
! This charge, unfounded as it is in truth. We
might reasonably expect from those, who
have heretofore often stigmatized us AS cdd,
ignorant, uncivilized, and penurious. 'TS
not enough that the fastidious conceit ami
imaginary Importance of Europeans continual
ly rail at the alleged paucity of our talents
It's not enough that they scoff at our best pro
auctions in the arts and sciences-'tis nd
enough to charge US with permitting pars+
monious indifference and grudging avarice t
orive genius from our shores to foreign cline
IN search OF patronage-but, to complete thu
| oNI, eiey dou we are lnSrateS, tndt meTL
is unre warded by us, suffered TO lansuish i
ooscurity, and its memory to be buried in fr-
getfuness. IL
1t is true the magnificent mausoleum and
towering pillar do not, in many instance,f
mark the hallowed repositories of our great
mems remains. We need not such aids ID
point out those sacred spots we need them
not to inspire us with respect and veneration
for their worth-we need them not to tell us
that such dignitaries ever lived. No; they
have monuments more lasting than Egyptian
pyramids, or Grecian statues-the gratitude
and esteem Of a nation of freemen. Brass may
decay and marble crumble into dust, but the
memory of the great and good, embalmed by
the affections OF virtuous and patriotic peo-
pie, will survive the catastrophe of time.
The historic page and the grateful recollection
OF posterity are more worthy than the chisel-
ed production of the statuary. p
Then let proud Europe rear the sculptur'd mar.
bic DER
Her heroes and her statesmen, who are now no
/ more;
Ours we'll entomb in memory's haowed shrine,
And gratitude shall tell their deeds till end Of
time SPECTATOR.
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