Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-09-10

the other hemisphere; to have received at
every stage of the Revolution, and during for
" years after that period from the People Of
the United States, and their Representatives
at home and abroad, continued marks Of their
confidence and kindness, has been the pride,
the encouragement, the support ola long and
eventfal life.
But how could find words to acknowledge
that series of welcomes, those unbounded and
universal displays of public affection, which
have marked each step, each hour, Of a
twelve months progress through the twenty
four States, and which, while they overwhelm
my heart with grateful delight, have most sa-
tisfactorily evinced the concurrence of the
People in the kind testimonies, in the i'm
mense favors bestowed on me by the several
branches Of their Representatives in every
part, and at the Central Seat OF the Coincide
racy.
Yet, qualifications still higher awaited me
in the wonders of creation and improvement
that have met my enchanted eye in the I'M
paralleled and self-felt happiness of The peo-
pie, in their rapid prosperity and insured secu-
rity, public and privatei in a practice Of good
order, the appendage of true freedom ; and a
national good sense, the final arbiter OF all
difficulties have bad proudly to recognize
a result of the republican principles for which
we have fought, and a glorious demonstration
to the most timid and p%rejudiced minds, OF
the superiority, over degrading aristocracy or
despotism, of popular institutions, founded
on the plain rights of man, and where the To-
cal rights of every section are preserved I'M
der a constitutional bond Of union. The che
rishing.of that union between the States, as
it has been the farewell entreaty of our great
paternal WASHINGTON, and will ever have the
dying prayer of every American Patriot, so it
has become the sacred pledge of the emanci-
patton of the world-an object in which am
happy to observe that the American people
while they give the animating example of
successful free institutions, in return for an
evil entailed upon them by Europe, and Of
which a liberal and enlightened sense is eve-
~ where more and more generally felt, show
themselves every day more anxiously interest
ed.
And now, Sir, how can I do justice to my
deep and lively feelings, for the assurances
most peculiarly valued Of your esteem and
friendship for your so very kind references
to old times, to my beloved associates, to the
ricissitudcs of my life for your affecting pic
ture of the blessings poured by the several
generations of the American people on the
remaining days of a delighted veteran ; for
your affectionate remarks, on this sad l:our of
separation, on the country of my birtIl-full,
can say, of American s:ympathies on te hope
80 necessary to mt of my seeing again the
country that has deigned, near half a century
.go, to call me hers , | shall content myself,
'efraining from superfuous repetitions, at
,nce before you, Sir, ard this respected cir
lie, to proclaim my cordial confirmation OF
very one of the sentiments which I have had
iaily opportunities publicly to utter, from the
ime when your venerable predecessor, my
,ld brother in arms and friend transmitted to
ne the honorable invitation of Congress, to
his day, when you, my dear sir, whose friend
Y connection with me dates from your earli-
st youth, are going to consign me to the pro-
~ection, across the Atlantic, of the heroic ma
ional flag, on board the splendid ship, the
lame of which has been not the least fatter-
ne and kind among the numberless favors
conferred upon me.
God bless you, Sir, and you all who sur
ound us God bless the American People, !
ach of their States, and the Federal Govern
nent I! Accept this patriotic farewell of an
,verflowing heart such will be its last throb
yhen it ceases to beat.
AS the last sentence was pronounced
he General advanced, and, while the
ears poured over his venerable cheek,
gain took the President in his arms
he retired afew PAGES, but, overcome
his feelings again returned, and, Ut
in broken accents, "God bless
'ou," fell once more or the neck Of
Ir. ADAMS. 1t was a cen at once
and moving; as tie signs and
teAling tears Of many who witnessed
t bore testimony. Having recovered
is self possession, the General stretch.
d out his hands, and was in a moment
u%rrounded by the greetings Of the
Whole assembly, who pressed upon
i'm, each eager TO seize, perhaps for
he last time, that beloved hand which
vas opened SO freely for our aid, when
id was so precious, and which grasped
With firm and undertaking hold, the
teel which so bravely helped to a
hieve our deliverance. The express
ion which now beamed from the face
f this exalted man was of the finest
nd most touching kind. The hero
Sas lost in the father and the friend: