Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-02-24


before La Fayettc arose, and when he did, he was
unequivocally labor,ng under strong emotion lie
spoke follows:
"Dear Friends and Fellow Citizens. While rise
tn acknowledge my obligations to your kind invita-
ton" to the gratifying toast, and to the manner in
which 1t has been introduced by illustrious
man. and welcomed by this numerous meeting, find
Il difficult to describe tho sentiments which crow
ding upon my heart IN which mingled the devotion
of IN old American soldier the sympat hcs of repub
ican, the feelings of home and the happy, the CRATE
fol, the glorious and nlso the mournul rememba
OF series OF fifty four years. during which have been
Tor the people OF The United States object ofiuces
SAINT aecion of confidence and Of numberless favors
During these vicssitudes of long life, to which your
chairman has so kindly alluded my eyes have been
hSed on the United States as my polar star In ev
cry trying act of mine. my first idea has BEEN what
will The American people THINK of it? Indeed, Gen
tleni.n am happy to say that predominant wish has
been fully gratfcd More than forty years ago, when
had the satisfaction, the first in Europe, to pro-
claim the rights Of man, q declaration of American
growth. was congratulated by our grelt Washing
ton, by the American sages, and the heroes of our
time. When victim to Injustice and persecution.
the American APPRECIATION and sympathes followed
me into the dungeons OF the Coalition. While on
my last VISIT during fifteen months. every day. every
hour, was marked by u continued series of popular
favor 1t was proud moment for me, when in pre-
sence OF the two houses Of Congress- told from
the representative chair, that every instance on
this side of tho Atlantic, had proved myself a
genuine disciple of the American school, a not
unworthy son of Washington. And gen
.lcmen. that we have vindcated aud exercised
IN France the American principle of the So
vereignty Of the people, | receive from the
United States. and from you gentlemen, testimo
MICS OF your approbationin my behalf; in that of
my friends OF the barricades, and the National Guards
OF France-wh,le ] cannot bot agree TO what has
been observed by my friend our honorable chairman,
IN his remarks OH u former toast, upon the appro-
priation ofnstitutions to tho actual state of ccum-
stances shall at the same ti;ne. propose tn. fol
lowing toast
ITO the American people, the frs, born and raos
highly gifted sons of independence and freedom
may they, forever ENJOY the blessing OF federal I'M
ios and of sel:-govcrnment "
Thus address was received with strong applause,
and the wlnle company in acknowIeJg mcnt of
the compliment.
The Chairman next chilled the attention of III.
company to 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 intro
duce it however without expressing his pleasure NJ
seeing at the table, high officer OF the Government
and one whom he was happy to rank among his per-
sonal frlends-l trust no will not consider il pic
Stunning in me to say, that while my lono residence
IN Europe, and favourable opportunities, have given
me frequent occasions to note the zeal and pa,rio-
tism OF most of our agents abroad. would no. hes
tae to add, that never yet U,at one better sdnp-
TED to GIschar, 20 his grave trusts or who more
thoroughly devoted hiE:sclfto al his real duties. We
all know what delicate ard difficult task has LAIN
before him during the recent events though all NAV
not know, as wei! as circumstances have put it IN NV
power TO ascertain, how ably. and promptly and eff.
hcieniy, and how completely with an American
heart, he has acquitted himself of that critical DUTY
know not that any opinion of nine wall have
weight with you, gentlemen or with our Country
but must have greatly abused my opportunities
not TO have been able TO have observed the truth
what have just said and, though there NAV be an
indscretion In introducing it here. should havo
done violence tn my feelings to have been entirely 81
lent on this subJeet, on occasion joyous and as
| Iph MIA I'll IN -
(Appiausr.)
Mr. Cooper then gave as tho fourth regular toast
"Fhc People and Instutinns-The Pre- idcnt and
other Functionures Of the United States"
Mr. Rivcs arose, and addressed the companv in
substance. rs follows
"Fhe very fattering allusion to myself with which
our distinguished Chairman has been pleased IN ;n,ro
duce the toast just drunk and the very kind manner
IN which that allusIon has been received by the
pany, impose tupon me, as duty. in the name of q
very numerous fraternity to thank YOU gentlemen fr
'the honor you have done US. In government Tk G
ours. where public functionary is, in fact pu,,ic
servant, enjoying splendid snecure, but cbaroad
with laborOus and responsible duties his situation
veil lay Claim to share Of indulgent cons,deyation
(sdheson.)-The hope Of securing the APPRECIATION f
those whom he serves, cheers and anmates him under
the weight OF official But the first aim of n
public unc'ionary, in my opinion should be to do his
duty, according to the bes, lights of his own con.
science, and with single eye TO the interests of his
country locking neither to the right nor to the left
for any applause, but that which is the fair and
taneous result of faithful and merit orous service
plause.) W
In the difficult situation in which have been nIac.d
in the service Of my country here, have constantly
endeavored TO regulate my conduct on these princi-
pies have never been visionary CROUCH to hope for
or aim at, universal appreciation. Accustomed to
place duty before every other consideration, have
abored necessarily TO accomplish the important bust.
ness with which my government has charged me, not
doubling however, that in the end, my fellow citizens
enlightened by knowledge Of facts would do Justice
at least to the assiduy Of my sxertions and the rec
nude OF my Intentions Marked approb,tion.) The
considerable kindness with which you have remember
ed the public functionarics the present occasion,
is consoling earnest Of the candid judgment which
our country will ultimately pass on us ali,
But a far more inter esting object, gentlemen has
brought us together, on The present occasion we
have met to render flia homage one Of the "a.
theirs Of our country, and to offer him our
cong ra'uiat'ons on the glorious destiny which has At
the same moment, contaminated his own fame and .s
tabiished the liberties Of his native and-Fathfu to
him IN all the vicsstudes Of his eveni and Iustroua
lie, he and his generous countrymen here present
wIi pardon US the national pride which has so often
claimed him Tor '"our own Lafayette" nor will he
value on! sympathy in his elevated fortunes the less,
because II happens to be mingled with gra,ifcation
of vanity ia tie near relation we g,s,ain q,