Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-05-24

| Collections the republican principles,
nd the pure ennobling virtues OF that
1eriod
Unjust be permitted to say, in addition
TO that Joy which is common = all por-
lions OF the Union, there is peculiar
sra'lfication fel, in receiving you, one oil
he Fathers Of our political institutions,
and the friend of universal freedom, in
ne bosom Of state the offspring OF
hose Institutions, and which has not on
Il inherited the precious boon of selt-go-
verDment, but been reared in the princi-
pies and in the practice of liberty, and
had her soil in an especial manner pro-
tected from oppression of every descrip
tioD.-And in addition to this, what re-
Ections crowd the mind when we con,
A9idHr who is our Guest, and when, and
Were We are receiving him. Not hall
century has elapsed, since Jefferson
penned the declaration of Americas
wrongs and OF mans rights Washing.
ton drew the sword to maintain The one
and avenge the other; anG Lafayette left
the endearments OF country and family
10 assist in the arduous contest. Then
our population was confined to the sea
board, and extended back no further
than the mountains. Now our Repub-
lie stretches from Ocean to Ocean, aud
our population extends 1900 miles into
the interior of this vast continent. And
here 1000 miles from the Ocean, and
from the interesting scenes of your glori-
ons achievements at Brandywine, Mon
mouth, and Yorktown, we, the children
OF your compatriots, enjoy the happiness
oil beholding the great friend Of our Fa-
theirs, the good friend of our country
These reflections swell our imagna.
lions, and make US delight in an,icipat-
ing the future And, judging from the
East, do hazard too much in saying,
The time is not far distant when the de-
scendants of the Revolutionary worthless,
Inherited the spirit of their Fathers, aud
animated with the same attachment to
liberty, the same enthusiastic devotion
to country, and imbued with The same
pure and divine principles, will people
the country from the Atlantic, to the Pa.
chic irradia,ing this whole continent by
the diffusion of intelligence, and blessing
II by the establishment OF self-govern.
ment, in which shall be secured person.
al, political, and religious liberty. When.
10 the progress OF our countrys great
ness, this happy period shall arrive, the
philanlhropis, may look with confidence
TO the universal restoration OF man to his
long LOST rights, and to that station in the
Creators works, and to that moral ele-
vallon 10 which he was destined And
then, my dear General, the world will
resound with tho praises Of WASHING
TON and LAFAYETTE, OF JEFFERSON aud
FRANKLIN, 81 MADISON, AID of The ether
Patrots, S4ges, d Heroes, of tn ~ lori
Gus aud renovatlng era OF l776.
To which General Lafaye ,te REPLIED:
1t is to me, Sir, an exquisite gralfica
ton, to be in the State OF Illinois, and in
the name OF the people, welcomed b,
their worthy Governor, whose sentiments
in my behalf, mos, kindly expressed
claim my lively acknowledgements, a,
the same time that his patriotic, liberal
an,icipations, and observations, excite
the warmest feelings OF my sympathy
and regard. Obliged as l am by sa
cred engagement we'll understood by ali
the citizens Of The United States, to
shorten my Western visit, will take
with me the inexprcssibe satisfaction
to have seen the growing prosperity and
Importance OF this young state, under
the Triple guarantee OF republican insti-
tutions, OF every local advantage, and Of
generous determination IN the peopie
OF Illinois 10 improve those blessings, on
the sVundest principles OF American H.
berry. To those cordial congratu la,lons,
my dear Sir, l join my thanks, for the
honor you have done INC, 10 associate
my name with those of my illuslrous,
dear, and venerated friends, and re
quest you to accept in behalf OF the ci,i.
zens of Illinois, Of their representatives
in both houses, and OF their chief ma
gistrate, my gratitude for their affection.
ate invitation, for the reception now
meet in this patriotic town OF Kaskaskia,
and the best wishes, of my devotion and
respect. LAFAYETTE.
HoratiO NcwhaN, NJ. y.