Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-25
7. Gun The National journal.

In our notice of the proceedings at the Town
Meeting, held in the City Hall on Tuesday evening
last, we mentioned that very eloquent addresses
made Ivy Mr.. Rush and Mr.. Barbour, to their
fellow citizens, on the melancholy occasion which
called them together. We are now enabled TO Law
a brief notice ot the remarks of MIR. Rush before
readers, and only regret that it is not more
full, and perfect. Alter the preamble and re-
solution had been offered BY Judge Thrus;on, and
seconded
MIR. Rush said, tina, the resolutions having been
moved and seconded, he rose not to discuss them,
but only to express his concurrence in them. The
occasion appeared 10 him o call for discussion
but rather be for intcrclanging and express
ing feelings that might be supposed pervade eve
ry bosom. The purpose OF The meeting was, he
said, most Interesting, most remarkable, most So
lemn. II had been hut single week since all were
assembled 10 commemorate the great annual festival
OF the country, rendered mC-c remarkable this year
from being It's fiilIeth return. AT that time, all
indeed, knew that the great author of the Declare
zion of Independence, and he who had SO fully par
ticipaied in hat great act--hc, who, by common
consent was pronounced its profound, its luminous
its most able defender, that these two great con-
temporary patriots, long hailed as the two great
patriarchs OF the land all knew that their days had
already been heightened to period beyond that
usually allotted to human life But who could have
supposed, what Imagination could have conceived,
that that festival day was henceiorh to be conse-
Grated airesh in eyes, by the fact of these two
renowned contemporaries Simultaneously surren-
dering up upon II their mortal existence; surrender
ing up at the very moment when millions of their
countrymen were intermingling with their ceiebra-
tons fervent and grateful homage their shining
worth, their revolutionary glories. II was indeed,
most remarkable. There was hing with which
10 compare its 10 combination of future crcumstan-
would be likely 10 produce its parallel 1t
-, 81.
History would embaIm it, Ii was destined 10 draw
forth the mos, euulous, most elevated strains of the
patriotic muse. II was enyironed with moral beauty
Ii presented aspects affecting and awful. 1t was
but recently that they had been told within the
walls where they were now assembled so recently
that the echo OF the words seemed still upon The ear
- they had been told and the narrative was full of
interest," that the yenerated sage OF Monticello con-
scious that his dissolution at hand, as well as
the birth day OF his country, breatheJ out wish,
anxious natural wish, to live until that day, and on
that day 10 die. The wish was heard--it was con-
summsted. Here seemed enough for history, enough
for its faires page; enough for individual glory So
we all felt; 50 the nation was preparing 10 feel A
coincidence 20 extraordinary struck upon the hearts
of US ALL and our OF grief for the instant
assuaged, in the last solemn triumph, which we had
seen Tie hand Of Heaven deal out TO this great pa
trio.. Ills spirit had fingered on until bis own ia
2
not since heard What intelligence is it that has
since burst upon US? What tidings have we from
the retreats OF Quincy from the llusiious con-
temporary? Does a double mourning strike al the
same instant upon the lsndi- on the very Jubilee
Yes on that ever memorable day, the sage Of Quin-
cy feels that bis fife too IS approaching It's
declining flame grows dim lit nickers lit is nearly
extinct. Suddenly he awakes, almost as from the
sleep Of death. He starts al the sound Of distant
reloIcngs- the bells Of the Temple Of Cod the
shouts Of his countfymen- the of artillery. lie
inquiries into the cause. Learning it, be exclaims
IT'S a great and glorious dqyP' and never
speaks again. 1t Is the last patriotic ejaculation OF
his soul, which takes It's fight the brilliant sun
Of that day Jescends. Let Us repeat, said MIR Y.
nothing Ike this has occurred before, and il viii
no, be matched again. 1t Is impossible. Ii seems
vision, under which the people stand and gaze
something out Of the course Of nature "a drama OF
solemn, heavenly grandeur, which the upliied cur
tain Of lie Jubilee has suddenly revealed TO the
wondering, en:TancNl, Fi-eued eyes ofsn assembled