The Arkansas advocate., 1830-05-05


 hdg ef the Tsaasyl0aaia Whig Society,"
 6y Mr. HENRY A. GRIswoLD.
 GENrLEMEN:--It were unnecessary. on thls occasion, to endeavor by any thing that can say, to add vigor to the love with which the memory of Wash ington is cherished by every American bosom. You need not to be reminded of the history of his life, spent in the cause of freedom; you need not to be reminded of the difficulties he had to encounter, or of the success with which he metthem. It were, indeed, noble undertaking to depict him clothed in his sublime apparel of strength, sagacity, prudence, independence, and purity but dare not venture with an unskilful pen- eil to mar the symmetry of his almost perfect character. Nor is there occa- sion that l should do so, for the best il- iastration of his principles is to he found ln his life and actions; and with these you are already familiar. And thus t ought to be. Often have high-tninded and disintcrested TBefl devoted their. whole powers to their country; and cer- tainty It become every nation to hold it's benefactors in Saspect; but Washington has higher claims to a place in our re- membrance. He is to be contemplated in connection with the history, not of A. mefiea only, but of the whole world. The interests, to the defence of which his abilities were consecrated. did not concern one particular portion of man kind alone, they were the common in- terests ofhumanity. Our revolution was not an insulated movement proceeding from independent causes; by the prinei- pies which guided, by the spirit which executed, and by the results that have followed it, our revolution is linked into the great chain of civil order. 1t was produced by the general impulse that had been given to the mind, and sent through every department of mental ac- tivity. Circumstances here propelled it in political direction, but in other cir cumstances, the same impulse had pro- duced, or was producing revolutions in science, morals, philosophy, religion, lit- erature. Contemplate our revolution in connection with the moral and politi- cal situation of the world at the time of its occurrence, and it bears on its front the stamp of the deepest concernment to the destiny of nations.
 The period of Washington, was a pe- riod of unrelenting conflict of enlarged ideas with received opinions; and was consequently pre-eminently adapted to the developement and display of great qualities. Throughout the whole civi- hzed world, the elements of revolution were abundantly diffused; and to him who could discern the features of the times, there was opened a broad and glorious field of ambitious exertion, ei- ther for good or for evil. There was, indeed, no overthrow of dynasties by Vi oience; no conqueror appeared rearing the throne of his dominion on the frag- ments of ruined empires; never did the political system of Europe bear a proud CT aspect; never did it's energies seem more able to cope with every enemy. But revulsion had taken place. In- stead of manifesting itself in external changes, the spirit of revolution had seated itself in tho heart of the system, and its work was completed before the out-breaking Of the eventful struggle which was to rock the world to its cen- Ire. The revolution was one of mind, not of physical force, 6 change in the policy, not in the constitutions of govern ment. The impulse which gave motion to this train of events, may be traced im- mediately to the reformation. After the convulsions had subsded, occasion ed by the undaunted assertion of the liberty of religious opinion, tyranny had lostits strong hold among the nations; il found itself unable to ply it's most eff ficient engine. The opinions, the prin- ciples, the feelings of the reformers, dis seminated and enforced by the press, had sunk deep into the mass of society, like a stream which disappears in the ground to issue forth at a distance, swol- len by subterraneous accessions into an irresistible torrent. The all-prevaii.ng connection between religion and poll tics, if not severed was loosened. Di- versity of faith ceased to be an insuper- able bar to personal esteem and good will-expansive views and liberal senti- ments gained ascendancy among the peo- pie, and from this vantage ground sent