Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-02
MIR IEEEERSO

attention. We are pleased to see that the com
mittee active No doubt, the result will be
what is expected; honorable both to our citizens |
and to the author OF the Declaration of Independ
ence Phil. .iurora.
ADDRESS
To The Cid=ens Of the Commonwealth Of Pens-
Syipania.
FELLOW CIrIzENs-Pursuing the instr uc,ions
given to US at general town meeting held in
the city of Philadelphia, the 10th day of May,
we request your attention for a short ,ime while
we explain the principles and project upon
which it is designed 10 relieve the enlbarass-
meat, of most distinguished patriot and states
man
We cannot, without the stigma OF ingrat!.ude
permit the benefac;ors of our country to close
their disnterested lives amid the privations and Bit
ter solcitudes of poverty. Their services have
achieved the public liberties, the public honor,
and the public good To all OF them, and pro-
porionally to each, every individual is indebted
Tor his ennobled condition in society, and for the
security OF his private happiness. TO their va
lour, we undoubtedly owe freedom, deprived of
which life would he worthless; and 10 their Wis
dom we must ascribe the creation of institutions
which retain millions of equal citizens, of various
republics, in coniederated harmony. The history
OF each succeeding year gives fresh Illustration TO
the virtues they successfully practced: showing
us, in the experience OF almost every other peo-
pie, how vast was their Undertaking, what devot
elness OF patriotism il required and what bound
less debt OF gratitude lis contamination has entaied
Upon US and upon all postery Surely but little
reflection IL necessary 10 produce the conviction
that lie who does not anxiously put forth his mite
TO alleviate the suferinss of revolutionary spirit,
knows not how to appreciate the blessings bestow-
ed upon him, and Is unworthy 10 continue in their
enjoyment.
Our volumes of legislation abound with splendid
proofs, that the people OF the United States well
i;iStfv feel. he of
heroism, and the rreparabe casualties OF battle
An annual comprehensive appropriation OF millions
10 the beneicent purpose OF removing from patriotic
disability the miseIies OF want, bid fair to
this republic from the impGtat!on which all others
have rendele proverhial. The soldiers of '7G
have freely accorded 10 their deserts from the
common treasure, all the aid AMI alienation which
4 Is perhaps i'll the power oil young and peculiar
y constituted government TO Gestow. But from
any participation in this refreshing shower of ma
'ionai gratitude, policy, apparently inconsistent,
has cautiously excluded the less snowy, but equal
y important, merits of civil political service.
The dangers and disasters of the field uphold a
claim for which the pacific abors OF the closet con-
sritute tho feeble basis. Against this feature of
The system, it is not our province or inclination TO
struggle; Tor whatever may be the course OF
gressonal decision, there Is appeal 10 tribunal
Better fitted for the cause we have in hand, whose
power cannot be controveried, and whose prece-
dents cannot &c dangerous.
And with whom should the American coInnu-
nifty syTupaillze, if not with the Author OF the
Declaration of Independence9 who, bright and
mistaken in the dark hour OF prescribed rebellion
rendered for adoption the ifrev ocabie pledge oil
lie, of fortune, and Of sacred honor7 Had Tho
Jefferson other title 10 our veneration this
single act unequvoca in its character and eternal
IN its consequences, associates hIn in brotherhood
with the Father Of lis Country, connecting his
happiness with our own, and making his wants a
-eproach npon
Such appears to be the sentiment Of our fellow
citizens, wherever the disclosure of Tho
Jetferson's pecuniary difficulties has been
made the subject Of consideration and remark
Ills application to the legislature OF Virginia. for
permission TO dispose OF MS property by lottery,
IN order, II possible TO avoid sacrifices injurious
20 his creditors and ruinous TO himself, gave the
first serious alarm. The shock has pervaded the
whole nation. The people, with spontaneous
soiictude, and almost simultaneously, avow their
desire 10 interfere: to preserve their charac-
Ger by renovaiing his fortunes and 10 crafty Their
own feelings, by soothing the remaining hours Of
Gage grown poor and grey in their service. All
that is now wanting, is Organization whichnay
give opportunity, and insure ultimate effect 10
popular contribution
- Into the detail OF this great mans embarrass-
Ulents, the causes of his losses, and the extent 10
which he has been involved by generous con
Hdence in his friends, il would be unworthy to
scrutinze. His home has been the home of hospi-
tali'y, einally unostentatious and unlimited made
necessary by the increasing attachment of his own
Countryinen, who press with ardor TO pay disin
ferested homage at the shrine of republican virtue
and by the ihrong OF curious strangers who, from
all parts Of the civilized world, come to attest the
expansion OF his fame and the progress of his prin
c1ples. Deriving envis5le honor Fl ON the renoyn
of this citizen; reaping even from the philosophy
OF his rei cement, rich harvest OF national repuia-
zion; car effort TO cherish and uphold him is die
tated by the most obvious considerations of an en-
1igh,ened patriotism. Who would barter for gold
the moral and political giories which have flowed |
and must forever flow, for the American people
rom the names and examples of Washington, and
Franklin, and Jefferson?
Pine peculiar theories and uniform opinions or
Thomas Jefferson, united with wish to proceed
IN manner most accordant with the incest deli |
cacy OF feeling, have indnced Us to believe that |
object could be best attained through the drec,
aud general agency of the people themselves. = |
However resolu,ey this illuslrious person NAV (
avoid any appeal to our gratitude, he cannot re- |
gard its voluntary movement other than As worthy !
both OF himself and Of us. Re will not il is tr,ts
like a Marlborough or a Wellington, become
wealthy by the grace of a monarch, or the bounty /
OF an omnipoent parliament; but Ihe can accent |
from those whom he has indicated as the only so = !
Yereigns, scaniy return for the invaluable service
they proclaim him 10 have rendered 10 the coun,rv !
thcy rule and the institutions they cherish Hence /
the plan OF our proceeding has been made as popu-
Tar as possible; has been modelled as to embrace
upon the principle Of perfect equality, all who
would express an undminished attachment TO the
penDsn OF independence, by contribution so small
as TO be within the competency of every one -
In thus characteriling the oiierina we make lie
refusal impossible, fer Thomas Jefferson c,,,,, {