Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-16

est testimonials Of regard, of reverence, and OF
love to these venerated sages,--that they had
bid, us a long and last farewell, and were, at
that moment, winging their way to world OF
spirits! Wonderful, mysterious, awful coinci-
dence! Invain do we look to the annals of hu-
mainly for another to compare with tilt is
theme that will fill the world.---It is great and
sublime picture for ourselves and our children
to contemplate may be regarded, in fact, as
the seal Of divinity stamping alike with immor-
tally, our liberties and their departed authors.
We still enjoy those liberties, my country
men, let us not forget the friends who gave
them.--Let their names and their deeds descend
from generation to generation, until the com
missioned Angel "shall put one foot on the
earth, and the other foot on the sea, and lift up
his hand and swear, that time shall be no Ion
ger"
To pretend to delincate, with any degree Of
accuracy, the peculiar traits OF character, or
the inestimable services of such men as JEFFER-
SON and ADAMS, would be as uninstructive to
you, as for me it would be difficult and presum-
ing The history Of their actions, ---replete with
evidences Of their motives -has long been indie
libby written on your hearts;---and has exhibit
ed, to the world, models Of pure benevolence,
and self-created greatness--equalled only in
"the father Of his country" -"above all Creek
above all Roman praise" How vain, then,
would be the essay, to recapitulate their deeds,
or enumerate all the virtues which were con-
centrated in the bosoms of these eminent men,
How much more vain the attempt, to place their
characters in more favorable light, than that
in which you are wont to view them.
But if cannot instruct you--or shed any ad-
ditional lustre on the attributes OF men, whose
everlasting fame needs not the aid OF eulogy---
still comprehensive view of their lives and
qualities, may awaken many grateful recollec-
tons, and, perhaps, prove an incentive to imi-
tate their virtues, if not to emulate their public
services. Influenced by these considerations
every celebrated nation Of antiquity mourned
over the .tombs Of the patriots and heroes, who
established or preserved the institutions OF
their country;-and we act apolitic-as well as
flial part, in following their example.
Jefferson and Adams were patriots, in the
most unlimited and exalted sense of the word
From the first dawning of manhood, to the We
- Lo;r thew wore diStjn-
guished by every quality which characteristics
the great, the wise, and the good. Their histo-
nv is the history of a nation-presentins one
continued chain of munihcent and noble acts.
I-,'--,- ~..a' erAranions, washing
ton, Franklin, Samuel Adar, g, Henry, Hancock,
Lee, and host of others-they lived Tor their
country, not for themselves; and every moment
of their protracted existence on earth, was yea
lously devoted to the welfare Of their species.
To vindicate the rights of the oppressed, and
to elevate man to the high moral rank allotted
him by his Creator, was the darling ambition
of their souls; and, CALAMITY pledging them
selves for its achievement, every faculty OF their
stupenlous minds was exerted with zeal and
constancy which no barrier could successfully
resist. Lucid and determined in their VIEWS
they descended to no narrow policy-no crafty
blandishments--no unhalowed means--to adj
vance their popularity, or to aggrandlse their
fame;-but risked their fortunes, their reputa-
tons, and their existence, to redeem people
from Colonial bondage; and to uphold them in
their well-earned freedom.
So many and striking are the condolences In
their lives, and so eminently were they service
able to their country, that shall find but little
occasion to separate them. Their destinles
were one-so should be their eulogies.
They were educated at the most ilourlshlng
institutions in their respective States, and each
was honored with the highest rewards that his
Alma Mater could bestow. Equally endowed
with minds of the most unlimited capacity, and
equally learned in ever branch Of knowledge
that could render them Useful citizens, or agree
able companions, they rose, while yet in the
bloom dfilifeAo the frt order of scholars, phi
bsophers, and statesmn. Both directed their
attention to the scienc:i of Law--and both be-
came, at an early perid, the brightest orna-
ments of their professin. Before they had at
tanned the age, at which the judgment is sup
nosed to be ripe. thew we're valuable and con-