Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-03
E,o,n the E,Iinburq Observer.

I.AFAYErTE.-A After residence Of nearly
twelve mouths in the Unite, States, General La
fayette has at last returned 10 Europe. Hitherto
we have somehow, abs,ained from saying single
word on the extraordinary spectacle by which his
visit has been throughout; distinguished We have,
like all mankind, been struck mute, "a 1t we've, by
each successive gushing out OF The spontaneous and
unpurchased homage of ten millions of free people.
We have stood By, in almost stupid wonder, while
so many more than classic triumPhs-so much
higher than classic feelings, were performing and
buls,ing around us hardly knowing, indeed, whe-
ther had 10 deal with the honest excitement OF
real and gallant people, or were cheated by the
solemn fantasies of of Bsdamites. II was
not, in fact, till after the binding pageant had
passed away, that could bring ourselves TO talk
sobery either Of its fitness its reality. AT last,
however. the ques' ion does rush upon our minds
Why have all these things been! How is 1t that
for twelve long months we have heard oil nothing
but professions, feas,ings, and jdhees, among a
people pre-eninent among all for thrift, Jealou-
sy, and stubbornness? What can this, or any man
have DONE to turn upon himself the rejoicing lustre
of so many millions of eyes, to call down blessings
from so incalculable host of upliited hands; and
to feel the honors and gratitude of mighty people
waited to his bosoms by the voice OF single
man. What is it, in fact, that has swayed the
hearts of these stout republicans throughout every
one of heir;wenty-our communities; that has hur-
ried all along that vast line, every woman from
her dstaff and every infant from its cradle 10 shout
ON the steps of total stranger to their blood; and
has melted so many Earring cries and interests
into one general prayer of regret, thank'uiness
and safety! bis is not any thing like venal syco-
phancy 10 dignity riches descent; 1t Is not the
| conventual homage of one great authority TO ano-
ther; can it be placed even among the reasona-
Die but frigid trophies of mere general merit. 1t
is too stupendous, too immediate, too much akin
81, pf rl,i
1t is portion of the unbounded gratitude of gal
liant people to the founder oftheir freedom. II
is no more temporary return OF any present benefit;
but part of the perpetual worship owing to an au-
thor of their political existence. II is the homage oi
America to the Nestor of the revolution. Her ear
ly warriors are now more. Her Frankins and
Washngtons have long since sunk after =
ther amid the tears of their people, into an ustri
Gus tomb. One commander alone remains who
fought at the Fatbnsh, at Brandywinc and at Lex
ington. What wonder, then, that the honors and
almost The merits OF the extinguished mighty should
seem 10 concentrate around their sole surviving
fellow Generation after generation has sundered
him f. om every thing that in America could extr-
pate rivalry, and add sting to passion. He left
them in leverish and bloody infancy; he has re-
turned in their peaceful and majestic manhood
He left them worn, divided and mpov erished; he
found them strong, unanimous and rich He has
come to the grain quietly waving the fields
OF slaugher;to find their once vacant harbors crowd
ed with gallant navy; their unsheltered beaches Sc
cured by mpregnable work; their swampy forest
swarmed with gay and growing population. And
he can say, what no living leader say with
him: This is partly my work; in the heart of a
corrupted state digested the manual of freedom;
hemmed round by the Establishment ofluxury, pre-
served the spiri, of independence; / forsook the
court for the sword; adopted danger for ease; and
here are my rewardsi' it was the younger Scali-
ger, we believe, who would have preferred the ho-
nor of writing single ode OF Horace, the empr-
OF Germany; and he right. But what are the
honors of all the odes of all Horaces that ever live
ed to the pride Of patriots bosom, to the out
bursting OF nations gratitude? After all, there is
much more in these things than the merit or the
praise OF any one person. or any set of persons
1t Is not man individually, but man collectively that
is here chiefly concerned. These rewards, and
these deservings, are, in fact, the recognition by
nature, of her nobility, they form the evidence
which she bears to the eternity Other own charac-
ter; they the proud illusions of her nankfulness
to the power which impressed that character uron
her.