Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-15
From the Virginia Herald.
FOURTH OF JULY.

lary favorable 10 the festivities Of the day. The
youth and beauty of the neighbourhood had
asse mbled, excellent music was provided, and
the dav passed away with much hilarly and
dscorum. The Hon. JAMES BARBOUR attend
ed as an invited guest; and although the COM
pany was composed Of persons OF both Parties'
not the slightest allusion was made to the ex'
! citement that prevails through The country.
| Party feeling was buried in oblivion; ani WIN
a spiri, suited to the occasion. all present u.
nied in honouring The day and extending 10
their Guest thai respect and hospitality Which
his distinguished services so justly meri'ed.
About O'Clock the company SAT down 10 an
elegant dinner. prepared by Messrs' Hume and
| Nelson, at which Charles =. Howard acted as
President, and Richard II. Taliaierro, Vice
! President. AS soon as the meats were remoV'
ed, the following toasts were drank:-
Isl. The 4th of July, '76,-a bright spot in
! the vista OF time.
Cd The Declaration Of ndrpenJence-pro-
claimed by The wisdom Of patriots, secured by
the blood of heroes.
Sd. The Congress Of '76--i,s deliberations
the liberties OF d nation, the wisdom oil It's coun-
ciIs passport 20 immortality.
4rh. The Officers and Soldiers Of the Revo>
lution-tbeir valour and sufferings entille the IN
10 a nations gratitude.
5,b. Tne u. Srates-may the duration OF
h,heir Union be measured only by the Radius
of Eternity.
oh. George Washington-he will stand
landmark in the waste OF ages.
9TH. Thomas Jefferson-lhe author OF The
Declaration OF independence, the act Tor The
establishment Of religious freedom, and the
father Of The University.
sth. James Madison-lhe spo:less statesman
jim retirement he has The benedlcllons Of his
country.
MIR. Madison no. being present, the follow
ing letter was read:-
r have received, gentlemen, your note Of the
Esd inst. in which ! am invited in such obIis-
ing terms 10 part Ike, with portion OF tellnw
citizens Of this county, Of a dinner on the APP
preaching 4rh Of July. The pleasure | should
feel in meeting them, on such an occasion,
would be more than a sufficient inducrment TO
avail myself Of the invitation, but several cir.
cumstances will concur at that lime. in putting
it out Of my power need not say that re-
gret il the more, as | should find among other
friends, our distinguished countryman now
bout 10 leave US on an important foreign Ser.
vice.
To yourselves, gentlemen, offer my cordial
and best RESPECTS JAMES MADISON.
Reynolds Chapman,
Tho's L. Slaughter,
uriri Teriil, Committee"
John H. Lee
Richard NJ Chapman
9Th. James Mouroe--he meried as he re-
ceived the first honours of his country.
10Th. Gen. Lafayette.-We treasure him in
our hearts, and teach our children 10 lisp his
name.
18th Our distinguished Guest.-Destined
to fill an important public mission abroad-we
have no fear thar our interests will be neglect
ed
AS soon as this toast was drank, Mr.. Bar
bour arose under the influence Of strong feel
ings and addressed the company as follows:
rise, fellow citizens, with strong emotions,
to express 10 you the profound sensiDiny with
which receive the tokens uf kindness you have
offered me. They form an incident in my HE,
which whatever fortune awaits me, in the
changr(u condition Of man, cannot fail TO keep
alive the warm gratitude they have inspired
Such manifestations Of regard, from the prople
Of my native county, some O! whom have been
my associate. from infancy, and others the sons
Of my departed friends, would at any time have
been highly acceptable: at the present they are
to me measurable. When every motive is ma
liencd, * every action is distorted by the wick>
ton Of my neighbors and acquaintance brings
with it the purest too, in
our times, when this tribute Of respect is offered
without dIslinction Of party. | cheeriully les-
,ify to the magnanimity Of those ho,npoliti-
cally separated from me on the all-absorbing
question of the day, still come 10 make gene
rous offering of party feeling to ancien: friend
ship; and TO bear evidence to the world that
| however may be misunderstood or misrepre-
sened abroad, at home. with those who know
me best, The purity Of my motives, at least, is
unsupported. If there be any Of my former
friends who have drunk so deeply Of the poi
soning draught Of party spirit as to permit
themselves to become cstranged from me, |
have only tn say, it is less subject Of surprise
than of sorrow. In these melancholy times,
the brother is seen separated from the brother
and the father from the child; the very foun-
tans Of the social relations have become infect
ed by calumny and unchartableness, and an ex
element and violence have been produced,
unworthy the enlightened ase in which we