Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-23

| Mn. BURGEs.-Mr Burgess Of our delega-
ton in Congress, has during the present session,
made display OF hiu.self, and met the high
| expectations of his constituents.
AT the time he was before the Rhode-Isand
public, as a candidate for the office which lie
now SO ably fills, ii was said Of him by one Of
the writer's Of tho times, "once seated in that
distinguished National Assembly, where the
collected talent of the country is assembled ),
| he will convince the world, that Rhode Island
is not deficient in intellect, and that she can
| send to the councils Of the nation, n.cn who
will not shrink from comparison nth the
! Clays OF Kentucky the Randol phs of Roanoke,
tie Websters, Of Massa achusetts, the M'Duilies
Of South Carolina, or the Tazewells Of Vir-
g;nia."
During the FIRST session, of the Congress to
winch he was elected, afflicted with disease,
and ruined in his domestic repose, by the nf-
flictions which befel an interesting part Of his
family. he was necessarily deprived of an op-
poriuniiy, of making display Of hls intrinsic
greatness, and remained comparatively in the
shade. But now, having been restored to
health, he has verified the predictions of his
friends-elevated himself to a rank among the
first men of the nation, and is justly the pride
and boast of Rhodo-Island
1t is to be amented, that this distinguished
gentleman, and celebrated orator, was not at
an earlier period Of life, elected TO the post of
honor. which he now so ably iills-and it is still
inriher to be lamenled, that the predilect
of party, which always opposed every thing
like reformation, and advocated the claims Of
sterile intellect, denied to him the Offices which
the great body Of the people would have been
CAD to bestow, and tn deprived him Of an
opportunity, of elevatlng the character of
Rbode-Island.
We are not :he eulogists of any man; we do
not worship at any mans shrine, and we are
incapable ofsyeophancy but we will be allow
ed to speak in honest 'erms of commentator
of the really great and meritorious. We do
not claim for Mr. Burgess the attributes of
greatness, because he has had personal al
tercation with such men as George M'Duf1ie,
and Joha Randolph we claim ther for him
on higher and nobler grounds. s.-We do not wish
to make any invid;ous reflections, but in Justice
to Our own sense Of candor, we must remark.
that previous to Mr.. Burgess appearance in
the Councils Of the Nation, our delegation
tamely submitted to insults from the dema-
gogues of the South, anj considered that thew
discharged their duty by giving n silent vote
Quite contrary has been the conduct of our
present distinguished representative, and he
has taught the domineering autocrats of the
South, that Rhode Island cannot be insulted
with impunity, and that she has a representa-
tive, who is not afraid to redress her wrongs.
Every Rhodo-lslandcr-ev every lover OF his
native soil, and every friend 10 genius and
learning, has just cause TO be proud Of Mr.
Burgess, and more than sullicen: cause TO re-
Jsce, that he has been delegated to represent
them in the National Assembly That he will
be continued in his present place, SO long as
his capacities and health may remain unim-
paired, there cannot remain doubt; for where
is the Rhode. Islander, who would deprive him
of an Office, which he fills with such DISTINGUISH
ed abitv-te the credit of himself, and TO the
honor Of Rhode Island.
We have INDUCED in these few remarks, in
justice to man who has "donc the state
some SERVICE" without suffering personal feel
ings TO lead us astray, and without being at all
influenced by the predictions of the syco phant
or those sordid expectations which look for
ward for reward. We have expressed the
opinions and feelings of The great mass Of the
Rhodc-Island populace, and given honest merit
its acknowledged dues.