The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-01-12
From the Edinburg Observer.
LA FAYETTE."

After residence Of nearly twelve months
, in the United States General La Fayette
has at last returned to Europe. Hitherto
we have been somehow abstained from say
| ing a single word on the extraordinary
spectacle by which his visit has been
throughout distinguished. We have, like
all mankind, been struck mute, os it were,
by each successive gushing out OF the spon-
taneous and unpurchased homage of ten
millions offrec people. We have stood by,
in almost stupid wonder, while so many
more than classic triumphs-so many high
er than classic feelings, were performing
and bursting upon us-hardly knowing, in
deed, whether we had to deal with the
honest excitement of q really gallant peo-
pie, Or were cheated by the solemn fan
tastes Of race of Bedlamites. 1t was not
in fact, till after the blinded pageant pass
ed away that we could bring ourselves to
talk soherly either Of its fitness or its reah-
ty. At last, however, the question does
rush upon our minds-Why have all these
things been? How is it that for twelve
long months we have heard OF nothing
but professions, feastings, and jubilecs,
among people pre-eminent among all men
for thrift, jealousy, and stubbornnesss !?
What can this, or any man have done. to
turn upon himself the. rejoicing lustre of so
many millions Of eyes to call down bless-
ings from SO incalculable host Of uplittcd
hands and to feel the honors and gratitude
of mighty people waited to his bosom as
by the voice Of single man. What ~ it
in fact that has swayed the hearts Of these
stout republicans, throughout every one of
their twenty-tour communities; that has
hurried, all along that vast line, every wo-
man from her dstafi, and every infant from
its cradle, to shout on the steps Of q total
stranger to their blood; and has now mel
ted so many jarring cries and interests in
to tho general prayer o: regret, thankful
ness, and safety? This is not any thing like
a venal sycophancy to dignity, or riches, or
descent il is not the conventual homage
of one great authority to another; nor can
it be placed even among the reasonable
but frigid trophies ola more general merit.
Ii is too stupcndous, too Immediate, too
akin to the burning ardor cf chllcren to-
wards parent. Ii ia n portion OF the un-
bounded gratitude ola gallant people to the
Founder OF their Freedoms Ii is no mere
Temporary return OF any present benefit
but q part OF the perpetual worship owing
to an author of their political existence.
1t is the homage OF America to the Nes-
tor of the revolution, Her Franklins and
Washingtons have long since sunk, one
after another, amid the tears of their peo-
pie. into an illustrious tomb. One COM
munder alone remains, who fought at Flat
bush, at Brandywine, and at Lexington.
What wonder, then, that the honors anu al
most the merits Of the extinguishcd NIGH
| ~, should scemto concentrate around their
sole surviving fellow? Generation after
generation has sundered him from every
| hing that in America could extirpatc rival
~, and sting to passion. He left them in
| A fcvcrish and bloody infancy he has re
turned in their peaceful and majestic man.