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

tnis, WIN experience such as ting possess
ses,-Acity every page Of whose history
for forty years past, bears bright and il
Illuminating testimony TO the benefit. and
blessings Of our government, could be
indifferent to any measure derog atory to
its power, or hazardous to its safety 2
Gentlemen, you have all personal asso-
Citations and relations connected with the
origin of this government, naturally en-
deared to your remembrance. n. York
posse advocates for the constitution
long before it existed she seemed to be
conscious Of her future destiny. Great
names, fellow-citizens, of yours, now
numbered among the mighty dead, stand
among the very founders of this consiitu-
tion. While we are here to speak ofthe
blessings Of this consiitution-while we
are here TO rejoice that it stands firm and
strong; while we are here to congratulate
each other that we live under its benign
influence, we cannot forget those great
men, who, in the day of our national in
fancy, in the times of dependency and
despair, brought into existence this great
and glorious constitution. l could not
feel that had done Justice to myself, or
you-I should feel that had disregard
ed the great suggestions which this occa
sion presses upon my mind, if | did not
recur to some Of the illustrous patriots to
whom we are most indebted for the bles-
sings, the benefits, and privileges that we
now enjoy.
l should feel that ] did injustice to my
self, to you, and to the occasion, if did
not speak in commentator of the name
of Alexander Hamilton, coming from the
military service ofhis country yet youth,
where he was known to some venerable
persons near me, making this city the
place Of his adoption, he gave the pow
ers of mind matured far beyond what is
common to be met with, in support ofthe
best interests Of his country. Daily in
crensing in the confidence and affection
Of the people of this city-seeing the ne
cessity of general government-ant
that the benefits of the revolution nigh
be felt-he sought that object with dill
igence untiring, and view which neve
lost sight of its object. When expert
ments had fniled-when the States hat
been unsuccessfully called on to adop
measures for the maintenance of public
credit, Mn Hamilton, with his friend, O
venerable gentleman now living, Judge
Benson) was delegated by this State, to
meet with gentlemen Of other States, to
hold counsel on the Responding and dis
tressed state Of our country. They as
sembled in September, 1886; their re-
port, which proceeded from Alexander
Hamilton, is on record. They saw the
necessity of general Conventions; they
recommended to the country genera
Constitution---that Constitution under
which we now live. Having agreed up
on it, another great work was to be done
to recommend and urge its adoption. =.
They kept the object singly in view, ant
laboring for its accomplishment with thei'
strength and frmness, the country receiv'
ed the publications which were commcn
datory to the constitution, and which vii
last while that country lasts. Still pos
sessing the confidence of this community
the same gentleman was Representa-,
tive to Congress, associated with otheI
great men, with Jay, with Morris, will
Livingston. A convention Of the State
ofNew York was called to ratify the con
stitution. On this occasion was display
ed the force Of reason and the power o
argument of Alexander Hamilton. liz
saw his hopes fuliiled-he saw that con
stitution become the constitution OF The
country land the discernment Of Washing
ton, in his first administration, placed hin
at post, beyond all question, at tha
time the most important. AT that mo
ment, gentlemen, what was the condition
of this city? With no uniformity Of com
mercial regulation; with no public or pri
vate credit; with no possibility Of cncour
agement Of enterprise; with no power L
protect commerce, or guard against for
eign or domestic competition, the fair en-
terprize Of merchants, Hamilton was pla
ced at the head Of the Treasury Depart
ment. He carried on the government Il
nancss--hc smote the rock Of nationa
resources, and nourishing streams Of rev
enue poured forth! lie touchcdt the dea
corpse Of public credit, and it sprung int
life. The fablcd work Of Minerva iror
the brain Of Jovc was not more pcrfeo
than the financial system Of the Unite
States, which sprung from the conceptio
Of Alexander Hamilton. Your associa
tions, gentlemen, connect you with anoth
er great name, now numbered with ih
mighty dead-tbe pure, the spotless, th
iIlustrious John Jay. The citizens ,
this city and state, preserve his momor
as a trcasurc--as a jewel, which th
whole county values. Eminent in tn
service of his country, he was a mcmbc