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


enough 10 hope for, or to aim at. universal app'o
bation. Accustomed to place duty before every |
other consideration. have iabured necessarily
to accomplish the important business with which
my government has charged me; rot doubting'
however, that, in the end, my telo"-cifzens,
enlightened BY knowledge of facts. would do
Justice, at least to the sssiduIty of my exerflons
and the cectitude of my intentions. (larKet
approbstion.) The considcrate kindness with
which YOU have remembered the public junction
aries on the present occasion. is consolIng earn
est of the candid judgment which our country
will ultimately pass on us all.
s.. But far more interesting object, gentlemen,
has brought US together, on the present OCCASION
We have met to render our hia homage to one
of the fathers of our cOuntry.and to offer him our
heart felt congratulations on the glorious destiny,
which has, at the same moment, consummated
his own fame, and established the liberties of
his native land. Faithful to him in all the vicis
tudes of his eventful and lustrious life. he. and
his generous countrymen here present, will par
don US the national pride which has often claim
ed him for sour own Lafayette" nor will he val
ue our sympathy in his elevated fortunes the less,
because it happens to be mingled with gra'lfi-
cation Of our own vanity in the near relation we
sustain TO him.-(Cheers.)
'In family feast like the present, calling up
so many patriotic recollectiOns, may we not be
pardoned also for passing retrospect to our ma
tive land. In witnessing the commissions which
have recently agitased the old world, we must
have been, more than vcr.impressed with the hap
py destnes of our country. While other ma
tions, after long centuries of restless probation,
have been struggling for the institutions which
they desire. through the agonizing throes of re-
voution, it is peculiar happiness to have COM
nlcnced our existence. as nation, with Institu-
tons which we all have an intimate conviction
are the only ones suited to ourselves. We do
not pretend to decide for other nations, who are
themselves the only competent judges of what
their situation and interests require; and we rea-
Oily admit the great practical truth, that differ
ence of circumstances often calls for CORES
pondng difference in political organzatons.-(ap-
pLause.) But in relation to ourselves, there is
but one opinion among us Of the fitness and eX
ceIlence Of our institutions for ourseires. Our
task is. therefore, an easy one. 1t is simply to
cherish and maintain, and in particular, to pre-
serve intact the foundation stone on which the
whole edifce of our institutions reposes-l mean
our federal ,mion. n burst Of opplaMe)
81 If there be any truth in regard to our inst-
tutiOns, which is more wildly impressed upon
the mind of an American citizen in visiting for
eign countries than another, ii is the vital impor-
lance OF our constitutional union. When we
are abroad, we naturally look at country
through the medium of its relations with other
parts of the world. Feeling that our personal
consideration among strangers is but the rellcc-
ton of that which our country enjoys. we are led
to observe on what our national estimation is Ound
ed; and we now perceive that it rests. alone on
our imposing character and expanding dcslinies
as an united people. Ii enemies underyalue us,
they support their opinions by vague predictions
Of the dissolution Of our union. Ii enlightened
statesmen regard us with the respect due to ma
ton. it is because they see in the common senti-
ments and interests which pervade our country,
tie certain guarantees Of the permanence OF our
union. If any American therefore, should be
sceptc enough to he disposed to ''calc"late the
value of the union" or the happiness of our con;
dtiOn, as trust there is none, let him travel, and
he will soon find elements for solving his thcorcm.
The course of these observations. gentlemen.
leads me to propose to you a sentiment, which,
am sure, is but the expression Of what has been
a thousand times suggested to you, by your own
patriotic reflections in foreign land.
'.Our Federal Uf,ion-the source OF our res
pect & secu rity abroad; the palladium Of our lib
critics and happiness at home"
The speech of the Minister was, throughout,
received with evident concentrations, and he
wa. frequently interrupted by applause, that was
however, smothered, with a view to hear him out.
But when he gave his toast, the company rose to
a man. and nine hearty cheers were given.
The chairman then alluded to the fact, L" that
among their guests on that day, were two distin-
guished men. who had served with the army of
Rochambeau, one whom M. Lameth) had been
severely wounded in storming the redoubts at
Yorktown. After few other remarks he gave
TO the survivors of the armies of Washing
ton and Rochambeau, and to the memory Of their
dead.''
Nj. Lameth made brief reply in English
He said, 1.-THE objects Of both France and Amer
ca were the same. They both wished rational
liberty and public order. But the geographical
position of the former, and her ancient habits,
rendered it necessary for her to stop short of what
America had done" He paid a high compliment
to the character of Washington, recommended
his hearers to preserve their public virtue and
gave the Memory Of their ancient ally Louis
XVI"
The next toast was sFrance." The chairman
that of all foreign nations, France left