Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-25
MIR. JEFFERSON.

On the conclusion of the ceremonies in honor
of the late jubilee, in the Representatives Chamber
al Washington, Mr.. Barbour. Secretary of Wsr,
assembled the Speakers chair, and addressed the
audience to he following effect. The National
Intelligence, tom which paper we copy the speech
OF MIR. B. says that Mr.. Jefferson expired at the
very instant when the tongue of the orator was
pronouncng his euoSy."
FeiOlp Citizens Il regret TO be obliged, b.
previous engagement, TO tresrass further on your
patience. Thelot has fallen me TO call your
ateniion, in conformity with The limitations in the
papers OF yes erday, to the pecuniary embarrass
rlents OF our distinguished fellow>citizen, Thomas
teiierson and 10 suggest the prcprety OF our hear
. cooperation with our brethren throughout the u.
States in The beneficent efforts they are making
for his relief. nave IKE cheerfully yielded
obedience todhs call, because claim 10 be citi
zen alike o. Washington and Virginia, and because
OF the deep Interest take in the success of the
proposed measure interest arising not only
from the obligation feel in common with my
countrymen, bht also from remembrance, with
the proiound:Si gratitude o the very kind alien
lions received from Mr. JetIerson, hen but
youth, unknowing and unknown; by which, while
paraking of his liberal hospitality, have been de-
lighted and Instructed ~ his eociey. do not know
that IL Is at all necessary, on this OCCASION to do
than simply to present the subject to your
attention, coEh,lihg, as do most sincerely, in
your iiberality. will ask only few moments OF
your time, while give u.terauce 10 my own feel
i-gs.
Ii the order of Providence It has been permit ed
flat our count-y man the illus Tious author of the
Declaration OF Independence, should be overtaken
by the hand of diversity. The condition of his
affairs has been wrUng from him by necessi-
~. To iorbear 10 refer TO 1t, as Is inculcated by
some think fa,ti.!ious delicacy, and still more
faiiuus TO withhold relief, because it may wound
the sensbiiity of the sufferer. The voluntary offer
ing of twelve millions of People carries aithin
in.r of lis th,
source of its origin Is the guarantee OF lis accept
ance Without our aid he will be bereaved of his
-ropery--becomc houseless; and Monticello itself,
caScarcd 10 the long abode OF philosophy,
of pau iost: and hospitality, will pass into alien
hands. The evening of life, whose heightened
days have been devoted 10 The services OF mankind,
is closing in deeply overcast with the clouds oil
pcnWy and distress.
Wien this distressing intelligence vas frs, COM
unnnicaled 10 the Virginia Assembly, had fondly
hoped they would generously have cancelled his
debts and thereby erected to themselves a
monument as durable the fame of Jefferson.
Other, and perhaps wiser, counscls prevail
ell They might have concluded, and most Just
w. that the relief of Jefferson national OBJ
legation His services were national He was an
American rather than ViTginan. To have
1uonopolzed the honor OF relieving him, therefore,
would have been selfish. Congress, in forbearing
30 interfere, designed, doubt, to turn the
obligation to the true debtor, the People; and, in
looking abroad TO their movements, rejoice that
/, has so happened. The grant will run in the
name of We, the People Oars will be the gift
ours the reuown. For cannot well conceive, in
the whole orbit of the moral world, spectacle
more sublime or more affecting than that Of the
whole OF great People, mpecd by sentiments of
gratitude and liberality, voluntarily and smultane-
ously stepping forth 10 relieve the dstresses Of
benefactor. Justly happily has II been said that acts
of this kind call down from Heaye the doublebless
trl no.
What more ennobling TO the giver? What more
gratifying 10 the receiver? While it silences the
calumuiators of ffeemen for ngrsitude, it furnishes
the fullest evidence Of the sincerity of homage
20 Liberty al Offering 10 whose Apostle is an
offering to Liberty itself. What single act has
America done, since the establishment OF her indie
pendence, which has elevated her character more
than her Iiberality the great and good Fayette?
The malignants Of EuroI tainted US with insnua-
lions that our gratitude would evaporae in the
fumes of preambles and resolutions. The act Of
liberality was done they became silent, and the
liberal part Of Europe did US justice. What is it
mat has made England so conspicuous amid sur
rounding nations? It is her lberality TO worth,
the result Of her free institutions. 1 speak less of
her Government than of her People Yet, in read
ing her history, instances are not wanting which
DO honor to her Government. Oae strong case now
presents itself TO my recolleciions. when the
Metropolis Of her ally laid in ruins by an awful
physical calamity Parliament granted thousands for
The relief of the distressed. Her historians at-
thorise me TO say, that, while philanthropy, in
hurried step, passes with indifference or horror the
countless millions England has expended on her
wars Of pride, conquest, or ambition, on this
mrnfcent act she loves to nger.
But tits TO the People of England principally
Feisr. Whoever have contributed to swell her re-
nown by success in arms, or in council, or by
means less ostentatious, but perhaps more benef
cent, enlargng the comforts OF mankind By
slyancing the arts and sciences, become their
adopted children Their independence and fame
are contributed 20 well by the Prince az
the Peasant and afistOcracy isefeowers beneath
the claims Of merit. Amid the mixed motives of
human action, these distinctions are among the
most powerful incentives TO generous exer,ions
Il have seen no incident, since the French
Revolution bcguo, furnishing 10 my mind more
satisfactory evidence that liberal principles
have at last taken firm root in that delightfuI
country, than in the voluntary grant recently made
by the People OF France TO the children Of Foy--
The usirious champion OF Liberty. You readily
perceive the object have in referring 10 these in
stances Of national libersiity ii j. justify me in
saying, 60 and DO likewise" Ia a measure,
afaonl IN character, nc5.s in desigo, and bcneG-