Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-22

good report and through evil report: tiroush
DAYS of darkness and days of sunshine: through
peace and war; to friendship whichhas equally
resisted the depression Of defeat. and the allure
ments of success-to friendship. Genteheh.
in with one Of the parties IS an individual. aho
the other an entire nation. Before such feelings,
all political considerations, except as they may
serve to strengthen our esteem. are momentariiy
lost; and feel certain Of meeting an answer
Ing sympathy in the bosom OF every man who
hears me, when add, that we are not assem-
bed to-day, more with the intent to do honor to
him who has been 50 we'll termed the 'Patri-
arch of Liberty,' than to exhibit the reverence
and affection of children towards common ia
ther. Another burst of applause. I'VE will
now fill to the brim-and drink
=. To the health and happiness OF our vene:at-
ed guest and friend.'
This toast was received with enthusiasm, and
it was succeeded BY long cheering 1t was some
time before La Fayette arose, and when he did,
he was unequivocaly laboring under strong emo
ton. lie spoke as follows:
"Dear Friends and. Fellow citizens: While
rise to acknowledge my obligations to your kind
invitation. to the gratifying toast, and to the
manner in which it hast introduced by our IL
lustrious chairman, AMI welcomed by this numer'
Gus meeting, l find it difficult to describe the
in which are mingled the devotion ofan old Amer
lean soldier. the sympathies Of republican, the
feelings of home, and the happy, the grateful, the
glorious and also the mournful remembrances of
series ofh(ty-iour years, during which ! have
been for the people of the United States an object
of incessant affection, Of confidence, aud of num-
berless favors. During these vicissitudes Of
long life, to which your chairman has SO kindly
alluded my ewes have been fixed on the United
States as my polar star. In every trying act OF
mine, my first idea has been, what will the A
merican people think of it! Indeed gentlemen,
am happy to say that predominant wish has been
fully gratified. More than forty years ago, when
had the satisfaction, the first in Europe, to pro-
claim the rights Of man. declaration Of Ameri-
can growth. was congratulated by our great
Washington. by the American sages, and the he
roesof our time. When victim to injustice
anil persecution, the American appreciation and
symptthies followed me INTO the dungeons of the
Coalition. While. on my last visit, during
fifteen months, every day, every hour, was mark
ed by continued series of popular favor. 1t was
a proud moment for me, when in presence of the
two houses of congress, was told from the rep
resentatve chair, that in every instance on this
side of the Atlantic, l had proved myselfa genu-
inc disciple of the American school, a not unwOr-
thy son of Washington. And now gentlemen.
that we have indicated and exercised in France
the American principle of the sovereignty Of the
people, receive from the United States, and
from you, gentlemen, testimonies of your appro-
baton in my own behalf, in that of my friends OF
the barricades, and of the National Guards of
France-while cannot but agree to what has
been observed by my friend the honorable chair
man, in his remarks on former toast, upon the
appropriation of institutions to the actual state OF
circumstances. shall at the same time, propose
the following toast:
"To the American people, the first born and
most highly gifted sons of independence and
freedom-naY they, forever enjoy the blessings
Of federal union and of self-government."
This address was received with strong applause,
and the whole company rose in acknowledge
ment Of the compliment.
The chairman next called the attention of the
Company 10 toast about which, he said he
should make but few remarks, lest they might
be accused Of saying too much of themselves: he
could not introduce it, however, without express
ing his pleasure at seeing at their table, high
officer of the Government, and one whom he was
happy to rank among his personal friends-I trust
he will not consider it presumng in me to say,
that while my long residence in Europe, and ia
vorable opportunities. have given me frequent oc-
our agents abroad, would not hesitate to add,
that never yet met one, better adapted to dis
charge his grave trusts; or who more thoroughly
devoted himself to all his real duties. We all
know what delicate and difficult task has lain
before him during the recent events, though all
NAV no. know, as we'll as circumstances have put
it in my power to ascertain, how ably, and prompt
Iy. and efficiently, and how completely with an
American heart, he has acquitted himself Of that
critical duty. know not that any opinion Of mine
will have weight with you. gentlemen. or with
our country, but must have greatly abused my
opportunities, not to have been able to have OBJ
served the truth of what | have just said, and
though there may be an indiscretlon in inlroduc-
ing it here, should have done violence to my
feelings to have been entirely silent on the sub
ject. on an occasion as joyous and as much adapt
ed to generous national feeling as this.-(Ap-
plause.)
Mr.. Cooper then gave as the fourth regular toast:
"The People and ,nstitutions-The presi-
dent and other Functionaries Of the U. States"
Mr. RrvEs arose. and addressed the company,
in substance, as follows