Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-05-31
10 Me Editors ofthe Enquire.

strongly impressed, at observing your noice of the
high and honorable spirit which has characterized
the welcome to General Lafayette, given by the
citizens of Louisiana, and in parallel column of
that paper bungling, l-written hall-iustifcaton,
half-apoogy, made for the late Speaker of the
House oil Delegates Of this state, for being one of
several persons, who If they did conceive this
tne feeling evinced by our southern BRETHREN most
certainly lost its inspiration at time when their
country most urgently required its cxislenc and
fullest influence.
will not, after the manner of Mr. Speakers a.
pooSlst, (the striking exemplar of q prosecn ing
attorney In some petty court 20 into detail OF the
" best evidence the nature of the case admits Of
touching this whole subiect''-but in language
which VIII be, trust, in Ineligible and grammaii-
cal English, l will comment upon the occasion
which has exhibited Mr.. Speaker in the public
prints, and will examine with freedom, how far he
has acquitted himself to his country in all which
! that occasion demanded of him. In doing this. /
VIII shew satisfactorily, if 10 the late Speaker
certainly 10 every person less interested to be bird
to tins matter, that the course adopted by the mi
norlty collectively upon what il usually STYLED the
YORK Town Bill, has IN reference 10 The character
OF their country teen extremely unfortuna,e; that
the corduct OF the late Mr.. Speaker IN particular.
| In bringing and continuing before the public, bis
petty disputes about the precise cost ofrepars made
upon am old house, has displayed degree of indis-
1 IL
est degree offensive and disgusting. From the first
Sirs, have been wonder-struck at the want of sa
| sacly Which did not perceive that Virginia would
be the victim OF this hamiliating contention at
| that selhshness and vanity which in the instance
before us, seem 10 have sunk 10 nsignificance eve
~ consideration whatever IN comparison of perso-
nal consequence and private advancement
But, whilst my check has often burned with
shame, have hitherto looked on in silence; re-
strained by the dread OF adding scandal 10 the name
Of my beloved country restrained 100 by the hope
mat the race oiiolly belag over, not trace
nor sound by which TO detect her existence 10 the
! prejudice OF that name, would any where lie dis
cerheu Silence, however, l. 10 longer permitted.
| VIII not affirm that, ii farther preserved, the
very stones will cry out in apprehension; bu,
when men who owe every thing TO The forbearauce
OF others, assume toward, iose others the po- and
NE tones OF offence; when too they persist in fore
ing upon the world their noisy indiscEeton; il be-
comes sacred obligation TO justice to render them
II Practicable sensible OF their real condition and
10 correct any msapprehenson which earrulous
se!i-conoeIt may have created How, then, stands
this matter?
The month of August, 1924, brought 10 the
shores OF the United States that singular man and
devoted friend OF human happiness, General a
Fayette.
From scenes of soul-benumbing degradation. Of
violence and misery, he came TO Contemplate tie
effects oil his joint exerions in establishing the do
nlinion oil liberty and Law: and from one extreme
Oh ms great continent 10 the other, the Rnnuncia-
ton of his arrival thrilled like stroke of ornpipo
fence, thro the hearts OF millions OF exultjng and
happy ireemen.-Here was presented spectacle
when the August author OF the universe must have
oehe!d with pleasure; millions OF his intelligent
creatures eVIhclns just appreciation Of his inost
ehhoolng Denedctons, ard Insnifesing their sin
cere and unbought affection for the benign agent of
his bounties.--To the friends of liberty and virtue
IN elmer Hemisphere, the reception of LAFAYETTE
Dy the Americans an event of the deem
est interest," In the tumult of feelings eyciicd
by his coming, they beheld the evidences of
our political and moral integrity, of our ca
pacity Tor selt-government the pledges of our
determination In support of republican institutions.
nay more; in the rich tribute of love md yenera-
ZION poured out 10 Lafayette, in all parts of our
N0te.--'Tbe following extract from perhsps the
aneS'' certainly the most liberal OF the European
JOURNALS, sirikngly pouTtrays the interest excited
amongst the friends OF free government in the old
worid by the reception OF Lafayette in America
Let Idr. Speaker and all directors read this notice
ana then determine what part of the honorable as
cnpIve 1t Contains both to their country and her
benelacoT they are disposed TO weigh against their
calculations oil costs OF repairs and ct catera',
AMER exposing the adulation OF the French 10 their
newly acquired master the writer proceeds thus
II, again, contrast were wanted TO the seryile
SPIN displayed by the French Royaliss in the pre-
sent day, we should look TO the interesting sI,oc-
,acie' now exhllIted by the American poople. of
honest ana enlightened affection for their ANCIENT
oehelactOr and ieow-soldier in the cause of free
uom we Will own, that, to us, their is some
thing peculiarly touching in the enthusiasm
whieh that great nation has shown upon the arrival
Oh the truly venerable person who seeks in their
directions, temporary refuge from the prosecu-
cu'iohs oil MS own government. No man can be
named VINO has, through long life, acted with
more underwriting integrity, and who, with more
SIc' CONSISTENCY, has pursued his course of devo
Ion 70 Tie sacred cause Of liberty and opposed oil
despousm, whether exercised by the peoius al
Napoleon, or by those SUCCESSORS to bis throne
whose powers form mighty contrast with tbei,
stations. La Fayette may have fallen into errors
III hymg from one danger, he did not perceive tb,
liberty nigh, have double hazard to enroun,s, !
both from oppression and from conquest but fa,J,s
ne mas never been charged with by any whose eoo1
opinion deserves his regard; and the honours ,vtjol
ne mas received ia america are as entirely dr..
The inhoxible virtue of his ripper wears - ~, "
willing sacrifice OF himself on all occssi,, -, 'l'S
cause OF iberty III bis own country, "A tho 49,
PECULIARLY ut to hail his temperance in cou,,-
wIci tne generous devotion Of bis younger DAYS 49,.
"eiPeu 70 make powerful state ola few derendo,
ne must oe lar gone in the seryile feel
lie, W i'T'on Noy"ism who can read, without o |
lne Prousctlons we have cited in this article
~, 10 n'snu OF Iioeral principles con fee any tbing
~. yila'hy ana Pride ~ following The progress I'll
this great patriot through the IJniqed s,stI' - ' VI
where its details are recorded with tbs L.,
and by the most ordinary chropiclers Of III 49,,
hE<01HJlfT0h paf~ a a.