Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-17
From the Constitutional Whig,
A rI~TnNn

of woe? Do they betoken the fall OF some
mighty Au,oerat, some imperial master who
hath "bestrid the earth like Colossus, and
whose remains are followed 10 the grave by the
tools and minions Of his power? Are they the
tokens Of a ceremonious woe-a mere mockery
of feeling. Or, are they the spontaneous offer
ings of gratitude and love! What mighty man
has fallen in Israel, and why has Virginia cloth
ed herself in mourning!-The tolling OF your
dismal bell, and the loud, hu, solemn discharge
Of artillery hath announced to the nation the
melancholy Observation-Disclosures
no longer lives. That glorious orb which has
for so many years given light to our footsteps,
has set in death. The patriot-the statesman
the philosopher-the philanthropist has sunk
into the grave-Virginia monrns over his re-
mains and her harp is hung upon the willows.
Why need | say more? There is language in
this spectacle which speaks more eioquence
than tongue can utter.--This is the testimony
Of 4 well spent life--the tribute of nations
gratitude Look on this sight ye rulers of the
earth, and learn from it the lessons Of wisdom.
'Ye ambitious and untamed spirits, who seek.the
attainment, Of glory by a scaffolding formed OF
human suffering, behold people in tears over
the funeral bier of their benefactor, and it true
glory be your object, be guided by the light OF
this example.
In pronouncing the eulogy of the dead, my
countrymen, have no bloodstained banner to
present--no battles TO recoInt--no sword or
helmet to deposit on his hearse. l have 10 en-
Irvine a civic wreath which philosophy has WOW
en- and patriotism has hallowed. The achieve
ments of the warrior in the field attract he at
tenton of mankind and fasten on the memory,
while the labours of the civilian too often pass
unnoted and unknown. But not so with that
man whose death we this day mourn. The re-
suits Of his policy are exhibited in all around
although his sun has SUM, below the horizon OF
this world, yet hath it left train oflght which
shall never be extinguished. At the COM
mencement Of his successful career, he nantes
ted the same devotion 10 the rights oil man,
which he evinced in all his after lite--at an
early dav he SO distinguished himself as the
firm and fearless assertor Of the rights OF Colo
NAL America, as 10 draw upon him the frowns
of the ROYAL Governor--and had already anti
oipa.ed the occurrence Of the period when the
colonies should be elevated to the condition OF
free, sovereign and independent States.-Hav-
ing drawn his principles Fl ON the fountain OF a
pure philosophy, he was prepared to assall the
slavish doctrine that man is incapable OF sell
government, and to aid in building upon its
overthrow that happy system under which 1t is
our destiny 10 live. On the coming OF that ire
mendous storm which for eight years desolated
our country, Mr.. Jefferson hesitated not-halled
not Born to a rich Northumberland to
the attainment of high distinction under the re-
gal government-courtedb by the aristocracy oil
the land, he adventured. with the single motive
of advancing the cause ofhis country and hui
man freedom, into that perilous contest, throw
10 10 hic 70 NJ
value. The devoted friend man, he had studi-
ed his rights in the great volume OF nature, and
saw with rapture the era near at hand, when
those rights should be proclaimed * the world
aroused from the slumber Of centuries. The
season was approaching tor the extension OF
the empire of reason and philosophy, and the
disciple of Locke and Of Sidney rejoiced at its
approach Among his fellow labourers, those
devoted champions of Eoerty, those brilliant
LIGHTS which shall forever burn, he stood con-
spicuous. But how lranscendantly bright was
that halo of glory BY which he was surrounded
on the 4th July l776! Oh day ever precious
in the recollection Of freemen. now rendered
douby so by the recollection that 1t was the
birthday Of nation, and the last of him who
had conferred on it Immortality. Yes! illustri-
Gus man! it was given thee TO live until the. adj
NSHk VI
spirit was then upborne BY the blessings of ten
millions OF freemen, and the day and hour of
thy renown was the day and hour Of thy disso-
luton How inscpersble is now the connexion
between that glorious epoch and this distin-
euished citizen! Does there not seem to have
been an especial providence in his DEATH The
sun of that day rose upon him, and the roar of
artillery and the hosannas Of nation sounded
in his ears the assurances Of his Immortality.
So precious life required death so glorious,
Who now shall set limits to his fame? On the
annual recurrence of that glorious day, when
with Nous ardour millions yet unborn shall
breathe the sentiments contained in the cele-
brated Declaration of Independence-when the
fires Of Liberty shall be kindled on every hill x
shall blaze in every valley, shall not the name
q Jefferson be pronounced by every lip and
written on every heart' shall not the reJolcmgs
of that day and the recollections OF his deatn
cause the smile 10 chase away the tear and the
tear to becloud the smile? But not to the fu-
,ure millions of these happy States, shall his
fame be conhned-,hat celebrated State-paper