Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-19
Mr.. BARBOUR's SPEECH.


souR, late Secretary of War and at present
Minister to England. II is worthy the perusal
of al our readers, who feel an interest in the
political affairs of the nation.
The speech was made at Orange Spring,
Virginia, on tho 4th Of July, after the eleventh
toast was read, which was as follows:
Our distinguished Guest Destined 10 fill
an important public mission abroad-we have
no fear that our intel csts will be neglected.
As soon as this toast was drank, MIR. BAR
pouR rose, and addressed the company as fol-
lows:
I rise, Fellow Citizens, with strong emotions,
to express to you the profound sensbility with
winch l receive the tokens Of kindness you
have offered me; they fora an incident in my
life, which, whatever fortune awaits me, in the
changoful condition of man, cannot fail to keep
alive the warm gratitude they have inspired.
Such manifestations Of regard from the people
Of my native country, some Of whom have been
my associates from infancy, and others, tho
sons Of my departed friends, would, at any
timo, have been highly acceptable-nt the
present they are to me inestimable. When
every motive is maligned, and every action is
distorted by the wicked and ignorant, who
know me not, the appreciation OF my ne'ghbors
and acqusintances brings with it the purest
sats(a s(action-especially, too, in our times, when
this trbute Of respect is offered without distinc-
ton Of party. l chserfully testify TO the mag
nanimity Of those who. politically separated
from me on the all-absorbing question Of the
day, hill come to make n generous offering Of
party feeling to sient friendship; and 10 bear
evidence to the world, that, b, however, may be
misunderstood or misrepresen:ed nbroad-at
home, with those who know me best, the pu-
riiy of nv motives, at least, is unsupported. Ii
there bs any Of my former friends who have
dunk 10 deeply Of the poisoning draught OF
party spirit, ms to permit themselves 10 become
cstrangsd from me. have only TO say, it is
less a subject Of surprise than OF sorrow. In
these melancholy tmes, the brother is seen
separated from the brother, and the father
from the chld-the very fountains Of the So
cial relations have become infected by calum-
ny and unchnritablencss, and an excitement
and violence have been produced, unworthy
tho enlightened age in which we livc--degrad-
ing to frdcmon; and presenting fearful COM
mentsry upon our free institutions. Rest as
sured, fellow citizens, that do not now mean
to enter the fiery field Of pariizan politics.
nothing would be more unsuitable TO the day,
the company, or the occasion. But may say,
that my present and former friends know, that
there was nothing in my situation which could
offer temptation to me to become a patriot
Of circumstances nothing to induce me 10 unite
with, and cordially to support an Administration
unless had the most entire confidence in the
integrity and patriotism AS its Head. declare
10 you on that veracty which hope is unim-
pea ched that have heard no sentiment escape
that dstin gushed citizen, in the most secret
retirement, or in the most froe and confidential
intercourse, to diminish that confidence; his
actsf are before his constituents for their
Judgement. For myself, Il soiemny aver know
not'tire man on whose fidelity 10 the Republic
would sooner place my hopes. the hopes OF
,my children, or Of my country. With these
sentiments, which sincerely entertain. it would
have been treachery in me to have joined the
outcry asainsi him. impoach not the motives
Of others. only declare my own. Every man
should form his opinion according 10 his best
Judgment, and, when so formed, il is high and
solemn duty, to himself. to his country and his
God, TO speak them forth Independently.
should dcspise myself and but i'll deserve tho
respect you are now showing me, were base
enough "to think one thing aad another tell y
No: let that servile course be left 10 the mise
roble insect, who, content with the popularity
Of a day, directs his fight by every varying
ting fame, will carry with him his conscience
aud his judgment, and, appealing to Time. the
final arbIter Of human actions, will await its
decision without fear; for, whether alone, or
with the multitude, he .eels himself possessed
Of treasure of which he cannot be bereaved
for it is placed beyond human control. Bat
why should unkind feelings spring up between
old friends for an honest difference Of opinion?
it is the inseparable lot Of man espe cially
in political questions. If my judgment, dis
passioEately exercised on past events, comes
to result different from that Of others-if
read that every attempt at Republican govern
ment in all past time. has been destroyed by
one mischievious principlc-if, in our times,
and many Of you recollect it, this principle has
been fatal in single example, TO the hopes OF
nations sighing for freedom-when a great
People rose in their own strength and breaking
the letters Of ages, substituted for an iron des-
potism the representative principle-whcn a
successful general, clothed with the laurels OF
many victories, and borne along by the dola-
try Of mankind, profitng by faction and the
wickedness Of the times, was able at the point
Of tho bayonet, with some fifty men, to expel
from their sttings The Representatives Of thirty
millions Of people, and revive a terrible despot-
ism over a people, too, distinguished for their
chivalry - for zeal for their new born liberty,
and a confidence not inferior TO our own, in
in its duration; yet. by una ccouutable fatal
ity, instead Of crushing this audacious usurper
patiently stretch out their necks for the yoke
if these things have made deep impression on
my mind, and have satisfied mo Of the necessi-
ty ofendea vouring to guard against this danger
Gus foe to human liberty, while others, so far
from seeing any monition in these events, laugh
to scorn the counsel they afford, and content
tn emsslves with saying we arc not like other
men that we will have no other but a success
ful captain to rule over US, would still seek 10
recall such from what seems to be their errors
mot by calumny and violence, but by a re-
spectfol appeal to their reason; and indulging
TO others what exact for myself, would re-
spoct their motives, however | might distrust
their judgment. Let us thcn, cast from us the