Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-04-06

/ Ihe names oil these men, VINO were CO.
temporaries the elder ofyou, aud coun-
trymen of us all, cause recollections
which connect themselves with the Com
stilution they left behind them, and will
rs soon perish from our remembrance -
There is yet another distinguished name,
of whom | feel impelle d to speak, Cham
celor i.ivingston-he enjoyed the cOni-
dence of the peoplc-was II member OF
the Congress that declared the indepen-
dence of our country-he was Of the
committee that framed that immortal in
strumcnt, the Declaration of lndcpen-
dence. AT the period Of the adoption of
the Constitution, he was its firm friend
and advocate, and in the convention of
this state, he put forth his whole power
into the doubtful scale of the Constitu-
ton.
/ Gentlemen; you have local associa-
tions which the names of these men nat
urally suggest. To us, who are youn-
ger, they have come down by tradition;
but there are those here who are old a.
nough to remember what excitement of
hope, what acclamations of JOY filed eve
nv bosom when the oath of office was
administered to the first President of the
/ L. States, in this city, in open air, and
in the presence of thousands of people,
H when it was repeated from the lips of
\ Chancellor Livingston. The people of
this city then felt that the great work of
the revolution was accomplished. The
country had government The
United States were then, indeed, uni
ted states They were then one and
indivisible-we hope, forever. The hope
then entertained in this city from the OPP
Grafton ofthis new government, alho'was
so sanguine, did not expect to sec half of
what has been done in forty years.
J, Who then expected the accumulation Of
wealth, respectability, and knowledge,
which is now yours'
i Gentlemen, it is comparatively short
/. period, believe about l6 or II years
since, in company with my friend to the
I right, ! paid my first visit TO New-York
= but within that period, it has added to
r its population three times the whole a.
= mount of what it contained at the time o
] the adoption of the constitution. These
{ arc the fruits of that government to this
, people. And what is its present condl-
ton? Docs 1t contain small capital? IL
is the capital of the country. is the
central post of commerce of the whole
country, and all this has been done
through the aid Of the General Govern
ment; and feel an irresistible duty to
pay a passing respect to the great asso-
ciate of Mr.. jay, whom Providence kind
!, ly yet lends for instruction and gratfica-
ton; mean James Madison. There is
no man now living, perhaps, who posses
ses such intimate acquaintance with
the government of the United States from
its first institution rs Mr.. Madison. lie
was one of a meeting in the State OF
! Virginia in 1876, TO take into considern'
ton the trade Of the United States, and
adopt some measure for the establish
mcnt of a form for the rates of duties and
commercial regulations. This ycncra-
bic citizen, and Judge Benson, are the
, only survivors Of the gentlemen assem-
blcd on that occasion.
r Mr.. Madison was elected to the first
, Congress, held in this city. The gov
, ernmcnt commenced its new carcel
where il should commence it, in the very
bosom Of its best friends; and the person,
+ who composed it were those who hat
, distinguished themselves in the most try
= ing times.
, Mr.. Madison, Mr.. Lee Mr.. Ellsworth
p Mr.. Strong, Mr.. Johnson--all Of whom
\ had distinguished themselves in tho for
I nation Of the constitution--wcre here
= to aid by their counsel Mr.. Madison
n was member Of that congress; and oI
: the very important question discussed
= took very active part. IL IL good fo
= US while here, TO go back, and drin
o deeply at these fountains. For myself
= ! dwell on these pages Of history wit
: great delight like TO feel, and sec
: and be warm, while ] indulge in tb
: hopes and expectations which thes'
: great men anticipated. Having for
i time retired from the service Of his coun
= try, ut an after period Mr.. Madison wa
d President of the United States; and ] d.
O not think il n matter Of commentator &
u be- felt and treasured by all that nj so nd
I vanccd period Of life, enjoying ib'
d general and universal respect Of bi
n country, he should have so recently come
i forth, when he saw opinions advance
J. and supported by respectable meh ad
q verse 10 the constitution Of the country
q and used every cxenion in favor oil IL
II suppor-comc what might come.
v Gentlcmcn, the inhabitants Of this CIT,
9 have great reason to feel warm and de
. voted attachment 10 the constitution o
y our couniy--not merely because It !
= -. ,,oJn.,,v. ,C their own infcyes Al