Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-06

~ hv " ,sbinoton to be the first Chief Justice OF
~. ! n;,ed states: and surely the high and most
duties of that station, could not nave
haen trusted to ADLER or safer bands. 1t Is the du
~. one of equal importance and delicacy' OF mat
ty;unaI to decide constitutional questions. arls-
inr occasionally on state laws. The general learn
inS and ability. and especially the prudence 'he
mildness. and firmness of his character, eminent
" fitted Mr. jay to be the head OF such court
When the spotless ermne of the judicial rooe
fell on John Jaw, it touched nothing not as spot
less as itself. These eminent men, gentlemen
the cOtemporaries of some of you, known to most
and revered by all, were so conspicuous IN Tue
framing and adopting of the constitution, ana
called so early to important stations under IT, that
tribute, better indeed, than have given, or am
able TO Give, seemed due To them from us. i'ete
was vet another, of whom mention rs TO be maize
In the revolutionary history of the country, the
name of Chancellor livingston became early PRO-
minent. lie was member of that Congress which
declared Independence; and member too oil the
Committee which drew and reported the lmmor-
tai Declaration. At the period of the adoption oil
the constitution, he was its firm friend and advo-
cate. He was member OF the State convention,
being one of that list of distinguished and gifted
men. who represented this city in that body; and
threw the whole weight of his talents and mHd-
ence into the doubtful scale of the constitution.
Gentlemen, as connected with the COnstitu.
ton. you have also local recolections which must
bind it still closer to your attachment and affec-
ton. 1t commenced its being and its blessings,
here. 1t was in this city, in the midst of friends.
anxious. hopeful. and devoted, that the new Gov
ernment started in its course. 10 Us, gentlemen,
who are younger. it has come down by tradition,
but some around me are old enough to have wit
messed, and did witness, the interesting scene OF
the first Inauguration. They remember what voic-
cs of gratified patriotism what shouts OF eBthusi
astic hope. what accamations. rent the air-hOw
many ewes were suftused with tears OF joy-hOw
cordially each man pressed the hand OF him who
was next to him, when standing in the open air,
in the centre of the city. in the view OF assem-
bled thousands, the first President was heard SOL
EMMY to pronounce the words of his official oath,
repeating them from the lips of Chancellor Liv-
ingston. You then thought gentlemen, that the
great work of the revolution was accomplished
You then felt that you had Government-that
the United States were then, indeed united. Ev-
cry 5enignant star seemed to shed its selectest in
fluence on that auspcious hour. Here were he
roes of the Revolution; here were sages of the
Convention; mere were minds, disciplined and
schooled in the various fortunes OF the country.
acting now in various relations, but all coop
Grating to the same great end, the successful adj
mnistration of the new and untried Constitution.
And he-how shall speak of him!-he was at
the head. who was already first in war-uho was
already first in the hearts of his countrymen,-
and who was now shown also, by the unanimous
suffrage of the country, to be first in peace.
Gentlemen, how elOriOusly have the hopes,
then INDUCED been fulfilled! Whoserexpectation
was then SO sanguine-l may almost ask whose
Imagination then so extravagant,as tn run forward
and contemplate as probable, the one half of what
has been accomplished in forty years? Who a
mong you can go back to 1889, and see what this
city, and this country then were-and then be-
holding what they now are, can be ready to CEN
sent that the Constitution Of the United States
shall now be weakened. nuHifed or dishonored?
Gentlemen, before leave these pleasant re-
collections, feel it irresistible impulse of du-
ty to pay a tribute Of respect to another distin-
guished person, not, indeed, fellow citizen Of
your own, but associated with those have alrca-
ny mentioned, in important labors, and an early
and indefatigabe friend and advocate in the great
cause Of the Constitution. Gentlemen. | refer
to Mr.. MADISON. | am aware, gentlemen, that
a tribute of regard from me to him is of little i'm
portance; but lift shall receive your appreciation
and sanction, it will become of value. Mr.. Ma.
olson, thanks to kind Providence, is yet among
the living, and there is certainly other iudivi
dual living to whom the country is so much in
debted for the blessings of the Constitution. He
was one of the Commissioners at Annapolis, in
1886, at the meeting. Of which l have already
spoken; meeting which, to the great credit Of
Virginia, had its origin in proceeding of that
State. He was member Of the Convention of
$780, and of that of Virginia, the following year.
He was thus intimately acquainted with the
whole progress of the formation of the Consttu-
ton, from its very first step to its final adoption
If ever man had the means Of understanding a
written instrument, Mr.. Madison has the means
of understanding the Constitution. If it be pos
sible to know what was designed by it, he can tell
US. 1t was in this city, that, in connexion with
Mr.. Hamilton and Mr.. Jay, he wrote the num-
bers of the Federalist and it was in this city that
he commenced his brilliant career, under the
new Constitution, having been elected into the
House of Representatives of the first Congress-
The recorded votes and debates of those times.
show his active and efficient agency in every i'm
portant measure of that Congress. The ncccs-
sary Orpaniz atjon of the Government tho ar