Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-12
THURSDAY, JULY II, 1896.
FLOR the Phenix Gazette.l


zens. Virtue and talents are the sources oil their
honors, fame and responsibility. During the
lives ofilhstrions men, who have devoted all
their services 10 the public good, their Opinions
operate powerfully on society, and preserve II
in wholesome temperament Their exam
pies form strong check against lawless pas
sion, and tend TO bring back the community to
a the true principles o. social order these H.
lustrious men may be apply compared to the
sun, who animales and cheers the universe with
his beams. When they leave this stage of &C
ton, to enter into more glorious sphere, their
departure resembles the descent of the orb OF
dav, which is followed by darkness. Those
virtues and genius, which enabled them to
found an empire, and restore man to liberty end
his lost rights, seem 10 expire with them. The
moral and political truths, Of which they are
the authors, are apt to lose much Of their de-
sign, after those great examples have ceased to
enforce them in their own practice. There is
a moral grandeur in the character Of honored
patriots There is something Of affection in 1t,
which entwines the heart Of the citizen, and al
,aches il almost to the errors Of those great
men. The retrospect Of virtue struggling in
the cause of an oppressed people against their
tyrants, is a spectacle which will attract the
notice Of tyrants themselves. The lesson is so
full of wisdom, that, like the hand writing on
The wall, it will present itself in bold relief to
he disordered countcnance of the beholder.-
But when tie friend Of his country contemplates,
for moment, its happiness, its laws, and its
strength, with glowing rapture he bends IN
alteration to the God OF the universe, and
thanks him for the gifts of such iustrious
patriots.
That noble band of brothers, who, fifty years
past, put their seals and lives 10 the perspcu-
Gus exposition of our wrongs, and Declaration
Of our Rights, have almost ceased to exist
There is abundant cause OF sorrow to the Anne
ricau family, arising even on that day which
gave us a name amongst the nations OF the
Garth. Two Of the brightest stars in the con-
stelation of virtue itself, have been removed
from their places, and transferred to holier and
HAMMER chimes. Half century ago, those de-
ceased patriots, with hearts fall OF ardor and
courage, and souls allied to Divinity itself, pro-
claimed 30 the world truths never before utter
ed by man, with equal dignity, 1t was new
epoch in history, which exhibited an assembly
of heroes, stalking their "hves, their fortunes,
and their sacred honors," in support OF truths
the most august, and involving the happiness
of considerable portion of the globe. Fetters,
and,ignominous death, and slavery, surrounded
them on every side. Tie perspective resem-
b,ed the Gloom Of the most dreadful tempest OF
the night. They had nothing TO rely on for
support but their pledged integrity, and con-
seriousness inspired by their own superior wis
dom and knowledge, that an "hour OF virtuous
liberty was worth whole eternity In bondage
Their lives ever reflected on them the same
GodIike principles which had ennobled their
characters. Laden with honors and the love
and admiration Of mankind, their pure spirits
Quilted their earthly tenements OH the birth day
of our liberty, which they had created and con-
secra,ed. The interval of their departure was
short. Those illustrious men winged their
fight TO brighter skies within few hours OF
each other. What singular coincidence.
What an astonishing concurrence OF events.
The sun had scarcely attained his zenith,
when he beheld the glory of the earth diminish
,d bv the death of \irginia's favorte son; and
as he rapidly Appropriated to his goal, he a
cain bebeld the glory Of the earth passing away
with the immortal spirit of the boast of Massa-
sbuse,ts. Fifty years ago the fa'es OF those be-
nefac,ors of the human race were mingled to-
ge,her.-They were bound by the same aztec
tious, and their hopes were directed to the same
end-9lacing their hands on the altar OF their sa'
country, they swore eternal enmity against 'y,
rants. Regardless of the dungeon cha'"S anu
scafold, they pledged to themselves and TO ,nen
country, more inestimable treasures 'nan s0'u-
.,,.;r sacred honors." The pledge was It.
,..ned The tempest was scattered by 'he
force of talents, virtue and Pa'ri0u'm' lucy