Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-04-15


so noby you witness the nnumeiabe AMI unpeece-
dented advantages which enjoy-the rising prospects
aud increasing responsibility of count,y-could you
see the tide of population maeStically rolling from the
shores of the Atlantic the Pacihcthe gloomy and al
most impeneabe forest retiring before the march of cvili
eaton and ndusty-scicnce nnpartng her invigo'ating
influence millions of Geemeu and the nations of the
earth applaudng their conduct and Initiating theiI exam
ple-Oh, could you again appear amongst us-wha nde-
scrbable emotions would swell bosom! What pleasure
would you receive fem the contemplation OF so much in
divrtual so much national prosperity
Cheftans Of South America and Greece ii you yet he
state between the dictates of patriotism aud the allure
ents OF ambition, listen to the bursts OF gratitude and
vcncration with which the names OF washington and La
iayee universally hailed. Listen 10 the excavations
that showered upon tho memory OF the teacherous
Arnold. Opotect your bleeding countries from the avowed
foe and the dangerous assassin They Will reward
postery will honor you names Shall be enroll
ed, with tina, of the iusous Washington in the eternal
temple of Famevou will be reverct as men who shielded
mankind from oppression aud who devoted their lives to the
advancement of the best interests OF humanity
The pages of history adorned with few characters
like that OF Washngon few are recorded who nave Ia
bored earnestly, INCREASINGLY and generously III the
u'the the uobest objects of existence Some
dangerous propenysome objectionable act, character
ses of the illusous who have lived; and it
Srems, indeed, i! this were necessary 10 remind ms OF
their liability err and afford Instructive lesson
in the pcruSa transactions of ,ri lives. National
PR judice may >isi in making the experimentation
pie may induce draw the conclusion, when pro
nourcc the character of Washington inferior inf
aey superior many of the heroes, patriots and
men who have gine before None happily united
goodness with gIeltnes courage with prudencc-patriut
ism with poli al distinction--or humanity With military
abilities hsee qualities canSicu"usly displayed in the
trying national infancy command admi-
ration and gratitude and the respect of all who
acquainted with the history Of his life.
The military glory of an Alexander may dazzle the
uu mis- splendid victories and gallant exploits may .icit
the applause ote derate; but when is recoccted
that he devastated nations and revealed in the gouies of
his fellow beug that he through OF blood and
lov" his cha lot over mound" of slaughtered wrechcs, to
quench his thirst for martial fame when these distressing
facts ecolectedt must be acknowledged, that he alone
is truly great, who and defends he who de-
sroys his If pursue him Babylon. fnd the
courage Of the hero converted the enzied rawlings
the ma irlanthe dignity of the lost in the inamy
the debaucheeand lite of rashress and destruction
summated by inglorious and degrading death.
The character Of Caesar will command respect
The euquencc tfuncss wisdom that could cha nm and
direct Roman Senate; the intrepiity and debea
that could form and the important tepriscs
united in constituting him OF the extraordinary
characters in history Under specous pctences however,
ne SACRIFICED thousands to the qualification of his ruling pas
sion. Success gave him power the corruption of Rome
encouraged him make himself mastcr and if he did
suhvC her liberties he FASTENED catastrophe that il
should nave been his pgic In contempt ting this
man, at loss whether applaud, or to condemn
It he Were ambitious, he was noble; ii he warlke he
was humane; he were yran he possessed the social
virtues in perfection He great not To be admret
ne was too ambitious he deested. His death is
warning all who indulge the same drsires-limsef me-
lanchoy object OF blasted ambition and fallen greatness
The humble origin of Bonaparte; his gigantic strides
from nslgihcanCe 10 the summit of power; his
liberty youth his riumphs over her cause in manhood:
the unparalleled briancy of his success the desuc-
tive commotionS with which desoated Europe-attach
an interest and lure his name nd make him one of
m most remarkahe men that the world has produced
We witness his elevation with surprise, read his achieve
hets with aaZenent, we reflect upon their consequences
with regret-and lament that much herosm, much
grandeur of SOUL and strength of intellect were
not suherven 10 magnaniinous and more benefcent
purposes. The pendor OF his career, and the almost ILL!
mIta bic extent Of ms power when the dec-
sveness OF his defeat and the melancholy termination of
his existence crowd the mind with nexpressble sensations
they tell the conqueror that the auIements ambition
are as deceitu as The plaudiS which salute his
he has triumphed the ties of his countrytba
there no power too extensive be destroyed, great
ness too lofty to be FRUSTRATED and M d.s;Gus Zoo l
formed To be counteracted.
In the where do ,va die
cover the mercy, patriotism wisdom of Washngono
Does Alexander possess them? the esola,ed plains
and bucheTed inhabitants of Persia, his mercy:
suhugaed Greece for his patiotism seek his wisdom in
the Bacchanaan orgies and midnight Babylon
Can Cesar boast of his patriotism his of JUSTICE
What plunged him into many wars with unoendinp md
deienceless nations Who stripped Rome her remnant
of liberty What induced Bruus to sheath his dagger in
the bosom of friend? Will Bonapartc vie with him,
View tine Russia drenchcd with the eore-her
dreary hills beached with the bones of subjects: behold
the murdered thousands upon plains of Austetz Jena
and Marenso Hear the frantic sheks of the parents
children OF France as their all is from their grasp
heVcr never 10 rcu and you will conclude that abb
ty to destroytat the fame which is predicated upon the
mseres of millions, the depopulation the earth and the
prosraon oil every principle of humanity justice and pa
lrintisn do not constitute glory greatcbut that
he who displays and skill in protecting mankind
from oppresson-who evimces wisdom the attainment of
the legitimate objects of governmenanG who devoes his
life to the prosperity and happiness of his county, alone
truly noble, great wise
If Alexander victorious, he fought the enervated
slaves of the Eas;f Cesar successful he opposed
the veterans OF Rome 20 the undscpned barbarians of
Britain and OF Gau;--if Bonaparte triunphant he
assisted by equality of NUMBERS advana yes of
dScplne and by the overwhelming mpeuosity of popu-
lar enthusiasm. Did these warriors lead to battle fam
shed and inferior troops, and yet conquer they con-
tend with vastly superior foes, and yet Did thew
suffer all the eXtremetes of misfortune, and vet remain
mistaken? We know that success intoxicated Alexander
and destroyed Cesar-and that when retributive Justice
overlook BOnaparte upon the plains of Waterloo he re-
treated before the frowning aspect of adversely If there
be any of the patriots of the Revolution this assembly
they declare the heroic ortude with which Washing
ton whstood dsaster-they relate the difficulties
which ne surmountod-the privaous which he suffered
and standing they do upon the threshold of eternity
safely the unexampled ntrepdity, obstinate pcre