Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-24

stacle they encountered. Foreigners have
frequently contended for her possession on the
plains of Lombardy. She has always been
trodden under their feet. The successive ar
mics of the continent have swept with desola-
ton over her plains, and stepped their laurels
in the tears Of that devoted country. Instead
ofreascending in these days, we have seen her
dominions wantonly disposed Of by the Con-
eress of Vienna, and her late throe Of resis-
lance expire in an instant.
$50 sleeps the pride Of former days,
So glories thrills DER,
And hearts that once beat high for praise,
Now feel that pulse no more"
The Mexican government we are told Is
about to distinguish its commencement
by grand work of internal improvement
Shall she teach us the way to be wise Shall
we, colozized in an enlightened age, descend
ed from the greatest of nations, fraught with
her learning, and improving upon her govern
ment-shall we be reproached by people
who were planted at barbarous period,
sprung from servile and detected stock, dis
tinguished alike by their civil tyranny and
gloomy superstition Whose society is ma
ny centuries behind us, and but partially I'M
tated in letters-whose system of laws is yet
involved in all its feudal deformities Shall
we wound the pride of other days, and morti-
fly the expectation of mankind by want of
enterprise Why do we boast Of our patriot
ism why do we extol our country, without
pursuing her prosperity, grandeur, and in
terest Can we look into future days and
the high destinies Of America,
yet overlook the present object. Will we
delay this harmonising system when, at this
some of the State governments are
jarring into discord with the general Do
we slumber amid uncertain dreams Of the fu'
ture DO we roam with imagination into
fairy worlds, and repose amid sunbeams and
flowers, while the black tempest is gathering
at our feet
Celum ipsum petimus stultitia: neque
Per nostrum palmer scelus
Iracunda Jovem ponere fulmina.
may want the happy vision of my coun-
.rymen, who can see nothing but splendor in
our prospects. Those ardent theories deserve
much credit for their fancy, but immortal ho-
Tor to the practical statesman who shall back
their anticipations with popular learning and
internal improvement We may have the ele-
nents of greatness-the embryos of virtue
md power, but they must be developed by
he same means which will avert the bGghts
We are exposed to; for the brightest trait OF
character, becomes more vivid from the cult
alton of the mind. IT'S that forms the
harm of civil society.-'Tis that distinguishes
he patriotism of Washington from the same
piit in the dark savage of the woods; and
be society which now embellishes these
ealms from the aborigines they succeeded
IN the other hand, if learning be necessary to
Illustrate our qualities, internal Improvements
must appropriate them to the nation, by
their tendency to diverge. BY
society, they will promote its CEN
raj power, and confirm its national momen-
um. We may thus attain perfection worthy |
{ our brilliant commencement-worthy Of
he high auspices that are pronounced on us.
Then every proud presentiment, every fond
ssociation, every pleasing Renaissance Of
he past, conspire to urge those enterprises.
he memory of Washington calls for them,
nd should inspire our exertions-to you it APP
eals, We generous souls, "who have warm
d at Scipio's worth, and Tuly's names" and
re assembled here in honor of your chief
IN you, who in the ashes of the dead, have |
ound their "wonted fires" it should not be
ost. Recollect that memory so dear must
anticipate in the fortunes of our country: it
ill brighten with her glory, and languish with
er decline; yet the latest sentiment that lin
'ers in her bosom will be the love of Washing
on; and he last pang of patriotism, OF virtue
nd of freedom, will tear him from her heart
The oblivion which bushes that name, must
e the death-slccp Of this nation. When that
houting name along the shores shall not be
choed back by countless voices, and the land
f Washington, like the land of Leonidas, shall
eem to have forgotten her hero, then must
hese shores be silent as the shores OF Greece
Gut whittier do wanderl Would anhci-
,ate the decline of my country even before
er maturity IT'S true we have lately been
Instructed in the bIevity ofhuman grandeur
We have seen the immense power OF Bona
,arte perish, together with the infatuaton ne
xcited in mankind. The shouts Of his VIC
cries, the frantic acclamations humankind, the
dice of glory, are hushed in the wild roar OF
cean along the shores of St. Helena. We'll
nay its waves triumph and insult over the ty'
ant that would have enslaved them-well may
hey mimic over his head that "British thun-
lar,, ,yb;cb v;ndicated their freedom He