Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-05-18
D0MG@ SII0.

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1T the Dinner given to Mr.. Poinset at Baltimore
Before the announcement OF the fourth toast, MIR
Meredith rose and said
1 beg leave, gentlemen, 10 preface by single word
the next toast, which hall have the honour of offering
TO you.
the chosen marks OF malice and dett acton.NoBc have
ever been able TO advance themselves "atove pale
vy's threatening reach" To 'hr many memorable in
stances OF this Illuminating truth, We have now another
before US, in him whom we have this day met to hon
our;--in him whom all proud to claim, as our
co"ntryman, and friend. The wise the fearless and
incorrupt Mniser-the ripe and accomplished Scholar
The amiahle and high minded Gentleman,-evcn he
has bt assilcd abroad by the inguing ard the ma
lcvolent and the cry Of disappointed malice has been
family echoed al home. But the Nation have already
vindicated his fame, the Nation will reward his merit
Fer himself, and for his own consolation, although
" g., by ignorant ,ongsos, which neither know
The chronicles of hi. doag,-le, him think
Ills bu, the fate OF place, and the rough brakes
That virtue must so through"
You will join me, gentlemen, am sure you in all
sincerely and heartily join me- in the toast which
Our Gues-who ably repre- eEted his country, and
intrepidly vindcated her character AMI dignity in
the minds OF prejudice and personal peril.
The sentiment was received with scclamaop, and
drew forth the following reply from Mr. Ponsett:-
FELLow-CITIzENs:
To follow the example of my friend, and borrow the
language of the poet and great master of human nature
will say to you that
"Tho purest treasure mortal times anord
"Is spocss repuatiOn,'
and however true il may be that mine has been asai
ed only by the ignorant and malevolent the tesmony
of your appreciation which has Just been with
so much eloquence, is TO me- under the peculiar cir
cumstances IN which have been placed, high and
enduring qualification. II ia peculiarly grateful my
feelings TO receive this hatteIng mark of distinction
from the citizens OF Baltimore, both because from their
extensive commercial relations with Mexico they must
be well acquainted with what has passed there and
cause from my early youth have felt strong interest
in this city 1t was from Baltimore embarked 10 cross
sic IN frays f,aE fret
and have since frequently returned to its hospi,abe
walls and witnessed its rising property with renewed
and increasing pleasure On my return from Mexico,
this was the first OF great Atlantic cities that
reached and it needed not the aid of for me
to be struck with its prosperous and flourhng conJi
ton.
feel will always with pride and delight to his
own glorious and happy country. Glorious by the a.
chevment of her Independence, by her brilliant naval
Victories and by the vaour and conduct displayed in
repeing foreign foe, in which Baltimore bore
spicuous and so honorable part Happy in her admi-
Tabe republican institutions and in the superior moral
character OF her peopleto which we owe all our pros
perity and greatness--l never was more forcb!y inn
pressed with the truth Of this than returning from
my late mission. left the blue sky and glowing cline
oil Mexico, It's fertile and abundant SOIL its rich mines,
its ragnifcent cities, swarming with priests and soldiers
in religious and military parades is spen-
did edces inhabited by amiable people, possessing
great natural abilities; but where a long elm of SUI
perstiiion and despotsm still felt in its baneful
quences, had paralyzed all these advantages and re-
duced the great mass OF the people to inactivity and
wretchedness arrived in my country, asce ndsd
the mighty waters of the Mississippi and Ohio, break
ing through the ice en- our passage, and traversed
mountains covered with snow, and found every where
nature subdued 10y the efforts of Free hardy and vr.
tuous population, which in few short years had con-
verified uncultiva'ed desert into smiling garden.
1t is true saw palaces my route, but neither
did see any where the abodps of poverty or
wretchedness. saw nothing of the romp Of war; but
around me were people exceng in the use of arms
and ready 10 WELD them at their countrys call to de-
feDd her rights vindcate her honor. met no spen-
did pageaDts OF christian worship but abundant proofs
Of sincere piety and unaffected aachme to our holy
religion. In short, every thing my passage pro-
claimed the dominion of wise and Wholesome laws,
and the harry hUeDce of republican institutions.
wearing the aspect ct rapid improvement and wide
spread happiness.
Now that neighbours are Independent, and their
country open to the light Of The nineteenth century
will venture to hope, that their Improvement will be
equally rapid with own; that they will cling their
federal republican constitution that they will shake off
the habits acquired under despotic government,
and cheerlully obey the laws they themselves have
framed and initiating example become Free tram
quill and happy people.
thank you very sincerely, gentlemen, for the very
favourable opinion you hive expressed OF my conduct
under circumstances Of new and unexampled difficult
~, as well as for the very distinguished honor you
have this day conferred upon me; and beg leave in the
toast am about 10 giVe 10 hope, which if
ased, must lead this city to high destinies:
May the prosperity Of Baltimore be commensurate
with her Industry and her enterprise.