Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-04-18

u,
0sniienen-I have received your invitation to q
public dinner. on tho 18th instant with feeling, oil
gratitude and beg leave tender to each OF yos N,
thanks, Tor the kind manner in which il 10 given.
Coming from so respectable q source, am deeply
sensible Of 'he honor conferred BY it, although no one
can be more conscious than nyself that ! am more
indebted for this honor to the high character Of tho.e
eminent men, with whom sm now connected and
70 others, with whom 1t has been my fortune to be
associated, in the public service than to sny personal
merit OF my own.
My experience in public life has confirmed tn.
opinion which bad formed, before entering upon it,
that an honest and perseverng effort in tho discharge
Of official duties, could never fail to secure re,,.n
able share Of appreciation. By public servant, who
has just estimate Of his responsibility there IL no
Inheritance so highly appreciated a. this. Il moro
than conPensates him for his days and nights ofl.-
bour and anxiety and holds out the highest xo,i,.
for the utmost vigilance, to all public SCENTS
My very humble services to which you have refer
red, IN SO kind mannsr, were commenced at crisis
OF great Importance. The country being involved in
sh, WIN powerful nation, was reduced TO grea,
emergencies; and doubts were entertained, by MANY
whether we should not be forced TO conclude an in
glorious peace IL was at this period and und.,
such circumstances, that learned to appreciate the
great moral power Of the State Of Pennsylvaai..
True TO herself and the Union she nobly sustained
the war, and elevated the character Of the nation
Attached to the principles Of republican xoyernme Mt
sho has maintained in the national councils that DO
cy which best calculated to perpstuate our ins,i-
buttons Judicious encouragement Of our home in
dustry, and development Of our resources By work.
OF public improvement, have received from her. -,
constant and an efficient support.
Tier central position, her agricul, ur,l pursuits the
nead,ness OF her principles, and her intelligence en-
Iaently enttle her TO the distinguished Of
being "the key stone Of our political arch"
There Is much in the aspect Of the political world
TO cheer the hopes and encourage the efforts Of the
friends Of popular rights. The people seem de,er-
mined to bring their rulers to solemn account Alb.
mn Nv hae -
finished is career II the poop'e Of the old world
sh1l not become Free in the republican sense of the
term, they will at least limit the powers Of their 90
vsrno", aud IN good degree, their own per.
sonal privileges.
What can be mora gratifying to a citizen Of our r..
public. than the rca.c n. that to the moral influence.
81 hs own government, may these movements in ,om.
measure, be attributed The impulse was given. By
the successful establishment Of popular rights in tb.
country; and the contamination so much TO b. d.,;,
ed may De looked for with confidence if Wa ,b,l h.
true to ourselves and to the great principles which
40 at the foundation OF our government.
whether we look to the bsppiaess and prosperity
of our own, or to the political regeneration Of o,h.
counthes, we see the Importance Of preserving our
institutions in all their purity and vigour. II We
snail fail IN this mighty experiment. the cause OF H.
bsrty must perish. perhaps forever.
The fundamental law Of our Union was formed in
s s Of compromise snd TO this Law or. ". in
dested Tor our nstonsl prosperity. Without il, vs
shouId have constituted small republics having In 10
or no character at home or r.,p.et in IN. ,,,im,,oo
Of Sateign nations
Durtng TIE resolution, . 'snse OF cannon DANCE,
united uS bat after the close Of that STRUGGLE loci
interests gave rise to divisions which must hs h,o
ken up the confederacy, and eventually d.sroysd m.
republics which composed il. This klsi re,nl, v,s
prevented BY the happy union that wa formed The
federal constitution, which the hasis Of this Union
should be viewed the rock Of our political ,,lv,
ton We can rest our national hs ppiGes, and vlory
on no other foupdation
WAh what generation should the py,neInl., n mi.
constitution be ehernhed and how ssietIy should the,
be guarded aganst eBcrsaehments
In country 60 extensive ~ ours and % di,.,,is,d
by climate soil and production. different view. n NJ,
bonal policy must be expected to arise from loc.l
causes but these views may be fully presented thyo;
the representatives Of the people, snd receive du.
consideration.
The measures OF the government shoalA slu,ys b.
influenced, by those high and patriotic otiveA which
led to the formation OF the oonstutioa No particu.
lar interest should be advanced to tho destruction Of
other interests but exact equality Of benefit or
responsibility caonot be expected from legislative
eoaetmens. This cannos be STAINED, even within
the limits Of state. No public improvement can be
made By state, which shall be equally ,dvsn,sgeoo.
70 al s chisen,. From their local positioa or some
''hsr esuss, part Of then VIII derive greater bsn.s