Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-17
= 4 /,
Uniontown, May 8lst, 1925.
From The National Intclliscneer.l

From The National Ineliigeneer.l
The following is a copy of the Address dev-
cred TO Gen. Lafayette, on behalf of the People,
his arrival at Union, which has been transmitted
to us for publication, by the Committee of Arrange
ment 1t is of unusual length, but bears so strik-
ngly the impress of the great mind from which it
emanatcd, that no apology is necessary for its pub
LEGATION:
MIR. GALATIANS ADDRESS.
GENERAL LAFAYETTE:
The citizens OF this county would wish to en-
press their JOY on seeing you amongst them, their
feelings OF love and gratitude towards yol. These
sentiments you have always heard in a thousand
places, and from thousand voices and what Ian
guage so eloquent those multiiudes collected
from every quarter TO meet you-as those acclama-
tons which greet you wherever you appear! ac-
cept these demonstrations the sincere and sponta-
neous illusions OF free people, impressed with
respect for your character, and who entertain the
most grateful sense of your services
vi these services IL is hardly necessary TO speak
they are engraved in the heart of every American,
Who, amongst them, has forgotten that General
Lafayette, in the prime of youth relinquished for
the sake of America, all the advantages pf birth and
rank, the allurements, the splendor of brilliant
court, and, what was far precious TO him, the
endearments of domestic happiness, of coniugal
| love: Who does not remember that he came to aid
America at the most critical period of her struggle
Tor independence? that he fought and bled for her
that he acquired the friendship and confidence of
Washington, the love OF all those who fought with
him or approached him? that he prepared that he
shared In, the decisive triumph of Yorktown? His
services were not confined TO the field Whilst
he bore the fagues and braved the dangers of eve
ry campaign, almost every winter he crossed the
ocean TO stimulate and encourage our friends TO
hasten 10 obtain succours from our illuslrious
and unfortunate ally. All these services he render
ed with the most perfect disinterestedness, impar-
ing his private fortune, instead OF receiving com
pensation from the u. States.
The name which this county bears, an early
evidence OF public gratitude, that name whilst il
perpetually reminds of your virtues and of our
services, has also given Us a more than common
interest in all your fortunes Let this be our apollo
gy Tor OBTAINING you, even a, the risk of wounding
your modesty, few minutes longer than is usual
on occasions like this.
In the first Assembly of Notables it was on your
motion that the report of one of its 5ueaur re-
| commended the restoration of the P1otestants of
France TO their civil rights, a report on which
was founded the decree 10 that effect issued the
year before The commencement of the French Re-
volution.
When this last event took place, although be-
longing TO distinguished family of the privileged
class, you instantaneously appeared as one of the
| most jealous and ablest defenders of the people
The part you toSk on all the momentous questions
asitated at that time, IS known TO the world But
it has, perhaps, been a common error to believe
that France had reaped no other fruits from her
revolution than 'vre,chedncss and blcodshed that
no material benefits had ultimately accrued TO the
I nation from that portentous event. If, however.
the magnitude oflhe obstacles 10 be overcome in
every quarter, sha! be duly considered, and if we
! compare what France at the epoch of our re-
volution, with what it is, there will be found
less cause of asonshnent that no more was effect
ed, than OF regret that it should haze been purchas-
! ed at so dear price.
! penal code, imperfect in its FORMS bur in its
penalties as mid our own, substituted TO the san
culinary enactments OF barbarous age; an uniform
civil code, adapted 10 the present state Of society
taking the place OF superannuated and contradicto-
ry usages; trial by jury in criminal, public trial
in all cases; the principles of representative 20
verment adopted, and public moneys annually
voted and accounted Tor; personal liberty rendered
moie secure, that of the press enlarged, that oil
conscience established; all the privileges of indi-
viduals, OF classes Of corporations, of provinces
abrogac servitude and ieuaity entirely abolish ed
and people OF vassais become a nation of free
holders-Ail these together form mass OF i'm
provemenis, radical change in the internal policy
OF France, far greater than had been effected
within the same time, in any ageor in any country.
For almost if all those advantages were obtained
in TIE course OF the three first years of he F1euch
revolution, of that short period, during which alone
you had an influence, and most powerful influence,
over the affairs Of france.
no, Sir, You have not lived in vain any more
for France than for America. The foundation is
laid, and the life of nations is not 10 be comput ed
by years, but by generations. 1t does rot belong
to Us to say what further Improvements may still
be wanted.---what suitable to TIE state o;
france. We can only pray that, whatever the,
may be, they should flow from persuasion, and not
be due 10 force; that they may be the result of mt-
tual confidence restored. and not of new convul-
sions, Of renewing sanguinary conflicts.
| 1t did not depend on you that such should have
been the early, the immediate termination of the
French revolution. Taught, permit me the express
sion taught at the school Irrational liberty, under
the illustrious founders of this republic YOU were
not more energetic defender OF the cause OF lib
crty on the floor Of the National Assembly OF
France, than conspicuous, as commandments
Of her National Guards, in preserving order, in
checking excesses, in preventing crimes in avert
| ing tire elfision OF blood. You were ever che re-
iuge, oieu the protector Of Innocence and uisior-
tune And where your efforts failed, it was be
cause the task was beyond the overs Of man to
| perform.
When THAT Constitution, which YOU and your
enlightened colleagues had thought best calculated
tc the liberties and TO promote the welfare
OF France; when that Constitution, which you had
sworn to support, in vain threatened from abroad
was assailed from within by an infatuated bard
with a prophetic spirit you foresaw the impending
ruin. Faithful to your oahs, faithful 10 the people,
regardless of FORMS careless of personal consequen-
ces, you threw yourself in the breach and, on tha.
memorable occasion, 10 The ouse OF the people YOU
sacrificed your own popularity-you, TO whom the
appreciation and the love Of the people were the
only worldly rewards, which you ever deemed wor-
thy OF any consideration.
Tie sequel is well known. For, having at
temptedto save the country, you were prosecuted,