Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-07-17

that speaks 10 each one of us, is certainly that
OF admonition and encouragement Yes, it pro-
claims aloud, that popular preferment is within
our reach, and that to secure it, merit-ves
merit alone, is indispensable.
Thus far, gentlemen, have been speaking of
this as day of rejoicing from me end of the
continent to the other. We all know, however.
that there is connected with it an event which
upon It's hrst announcement, will no doubt pro-
duce momentary interruption. of those happv
Ieehhgs which now, dare say, pervade every
heart. JEFFERSON and ADAMS, it is known,
were the two individuals whose exertions more
than those Of any others, contributed to ,bo
fame, with which the present occasion is iden,i.
he'd. ltwas Jefferson who penned, whilst Adj
ans sustained the production that has attached
20 this day its celebrity, and to their names
much of their fame. After this those two Extra.
ordinary individuals were seen to 90 forward to-
gether in their career of usefulness and of glo-
ry. FINALLY, one in succession to the other, was
called TO preside over the dcstinies of the ma
tion' From this distinguished rank, they both
re'ired' alter having reared many monuments TO
ther virtues and their wisdom. In retirement,
they both lived alike honoured and beloved At
length the period ofther deaths draws near
Both were heard to express a wish to die on the
anniversary of our Independence. Their pray.
ers were heard, and granted On this day three
years ago, when all were united in doing them
honor whilst twelve millions of freemen were
offering up to Heaven their ardent aspirations
Tor their final happiness-thcir spirits, united as
thew had hcnn in lie, ,Iol al q
their God. Yes, our JrrERsoS and our ADAMS,
are now no more. At this, however, how can we
rcp;nc' For us they had lived until they had ac-
complished all in their power, that could add
to our happiness, and for themselves, until, in
the language of one them, ''thcy regarded death
as natures kindest boon" Let us not then, |
say let even this circumstance interrupt but for
a moment, the festivities of the day, but re-
garding it as coincidence in which we can re-
cognizc the satisfaction. of Heaven, with the
lives of those two who are the subjects of it, let
US rejoice and be happy.
Whilst, gentlemen, our present situation and
circumstances, arc to us subject of mutual
generalization and rejoicing, does not the anti
cipalion of what is yet in reserve for our coun-
try, also inspire us with emotions of Joy and
gladness? If the progress VIC arc now making in
improvement, is not by some unforeseen contin-
ecncy arrested, before another century shall
have rolled by, it will certainly be as distin-
guished for every thing that adorns and digni-
fes our nature, as it now is, for its civil and re-
ligious privileges. Here, indeed, has arisen
the star OF mans best hopes and to it the ewes
of the world are directed From every quarter
of the globe the tide of emigration hither has
received an almost irresistible impulse From
this and other sources, then, our population will
certainly increase in ratio unparalleled i'm the
annals of history. Under such circumstances
our future greatness must be commensurate
with our most sanguine wishes, whilst, by our
example, we shall extend EN- influence over the
monarchies of the world, which, if it does not
finally exterminate them, will certainly be bene-
ficially felt by them.
Nothing, gentlemen, could be more appropri-
ate to the occasion, than for us now to look with
scrutnlzing eye, into the recesses of our own
bosoms, for the purpose of examining whether
all is there as it should be. Do we all feel that
ardent attachment, to our land and its institu-
tons, for which our fathers have been so Justly
iuhiCu 'ouiu VIC uC "iIiIUS W IlSh, as tneV
have done, our lives, our fortunes, and our all,
in its defence? And are we DESTROYS of extend
ing to others those privileges and im,nunites
in the enjoyment of which we live T.? If, indeed
we can all respond in the affirmative to these en-
quiries, then all is well. If not, then, we
are certainly in the enjoyment of that of which
we are not worthy, and of which we should ex-
pect soon to be deprived
Gentlemen, this is the first occasion on whic h
many us have here ever had the happiness to u
mite in doing honor to the day we elebrate We
may certainly be permitted to indulge ourselves
in the pleasing hope, that it may not be the
last.-Whlst however, we do this, we should
recolicct, that such nope is at best but a dream
of the Imagination, and that the probability is,
that it will never be realized. Should it never
be realized, for myself 1 can say, the present
time will never be forgotten. Down to the lat
est period ofmy existence, my memory will e.
yer delight to recnr to it, and even to dwell on
the kind and social feelings that exist and prevail
among us.