Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-04-06
BALTIMORE. MARCH 81.
PUBLIC MEETING.

4
respectable meeting of the citizens of
Baltimore, took place at the Exchange,
last Saturday. at IL o'clocR,when w "a.
| PATTERSON, esq. was called to the
| Chair, and b. C. HOWARD, esq APP
pointed Secretary. The chairman hav-
ing stated the object of the meeting,
JOHN P KENNEDY, esq. rose, and
delivered the following eloquent and APP
| psopnate address:
MR. CHAIRnAN---
As one. who has been in some tnea-
sure accessory to this cell | would re-
specially ask permission TO present To
tie meeting few resolutions, designed
! to express the feeling of the City ef
Baltimore upon the subject now under
consideration; and in doing so, hope
may be INDUCED with some remarks,
explanatory Of the occasion upon which
our citizens have been Convened.
1t is t. me, Sir, in man, respect a
most painful duty. I cannot disguise
from my feelings that the experiment
which we are about To make, requires
to be mana sed with great address, and
with singular delieacy; lest, on The bne
side. the effort to arouse the generous
sentiment of the nation should produce
bat a partial result; and, on The other,
that the quick and refined sensibility oil
noble and generous mind, should be
wounded by the proceedings OF this day.
II is, therefore, with most undissembled
sincerity that confess my embarrass-
ment at a task, which, Notwithstanding
its diffie ulties, am quite unwilling to
reinquish. !.
1t has lately come 10 the knowledge
OF this community this na.ion--tha
the venerable JEFFERSON has found il
necessary to dispose Of large portions Of
EN- estate. which he has enjoyed through
lie, to relieve himself from those aux
ious cares and vexations which cmbitter
exisierce, even liz its high and palmy
state,n but which to ''fou'score years
and upwards" are the source Of unmiti-
gated pain. Il has been told abroad
the fac.nped not be concealed that the
Splendid fortune of this fllnstrious ser
want Of the Republic, has been melting
away under the munifcence OF its pos
SCISSOR that a patrimony, once mnst am
pie, has been invaded BY the accidents,
which, the dignifed station of its inhe-
ritor, his characteristic and elegant hos
pitaIity, hi. diflused ard imperishahla
fame, have rendered peculiar and inc
yitable.
1t was believed, Sri .till believe IT,
that this fact could not be communica-
ted to the American people, without be-
ing instantly followed up by that spon-
taneous effusion of personal and public
regard that would bear TO this patriarch
al patriot, the acknowledgment of their
deep and enduring sense of bis public
worth, and which, in a more visible
shape, would pour out the oil OF COM
fort and gladness upon the waning en-
bets of long and useful life. II was
belevedthat no American-nay,sir that
no stranger who had ever visited the phi
losophic shades of Monticeilo-- would
consent, while he acknowledged spark
of national or classic feeling, that that
resting place Of the ssSe--that ballow-
ed abode ofthe wit. elegance and poesy;
that Mecca of the western pilgrim,
should ever pass into foreign hands but
by the free gift of it. possessor; and that
! to avert such calamity the American
family would) protest against the deed
With heart and hand.
It's to provide against such an emer-
gency, Sir, that we have taken the liber-
/ ty to call together this asse mblage; and
| Il is now proposed that the citizens of
Baltimore, long distinguished for being
among the first in public spirit and pa.
| triotic enterprise, should lead the way
in furnishing promptly, through the
means of personal subscription, such q
sum az, with The product OF similar eff
forts throughout the Union. shall be COM
pletely effectual to save the alienation
of any portion of the property Of this IL
ldstrions man. say, Sir, by personal
subscription. | would not appeal to the
constituted authorities ofthe country 10
pay debt which is due BY every heart -
I would not invoke Tire slow forms of
legislation 10 render the tribute which
every generous nature would pay by in
stinct. | wish TO see, Sir, at this time,
while the venerable sage is still among
us, testimonial of the peoples love and
gratitude displayed in individual exhi.
bitiona wish that the same epoch of
our repGblic same span Of years