Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-01

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lore MIN during the events though all NAV not
nov Know a. well as circumstances have put Il In nv
power ascertain. no. ably and promptly. and sai-
ne has acquitted himself OF that critic. Al du,v know
NOT tnat any opinion OF mine will have weight with YOU
gentlemen or with our country, but must have great.
~ abused my opportunities. not to have been able 70
nave observed the truth Of what have Just said and
though there may be ndiscreton in 4,
mere. should have done violence to my feelings TO
nave oesn entirely silent this subject on an
Joyous and As much adapted to generous national
feeling as this. (Apriause.j
MI cooper then gave as the fourth regular toast
Ihe People and Instutions--The President and
otner functouaries Of the United States"
stance, a. follows:--
"The very hatteripr aliu,on N ,,,v..,f ,-,h ,h,,
our distinguished Chairman has been pleased to intro
duce the toast just drunk, and the very kind manner
IN which that aluson has been received by the com
Pany' impose It upon me, as duty, in the namc of
very numerous fraternity, to thank you gentlemen
LOT the honor you have done In government ike
ours, where public functionary is, in fact public
| servant, enjoying no splendid sinecure but charged
win aborious and responsible duties his situation
well lay claim to share of ndulgent conside =
!aonesion)-The hope Of securing the appreciation of
the weight of official cares. But the frat aim of
public functionary, in my opinion should DO to do ihi,
du'y, according to the best lights of his own con-
science, and with single eye 10 the interests of hi.
country looking neither the right nor to the left
Tor any applause but that which is tho fair and spon
tanecus result Of faithful and moritorous service.
(applause.)
10 tho difficult situation 10 which have bsen n,ac.a
IN the service Of my country here, L have been con-
s.sn.iy endeavorns to regulate my conduct on these
principles have been visionary enough 10 hons
Tor, or aim st, universal spprobson Accustom ed 10
place duty bsiore every other consideration HAYS la
bored necessarily to accomplish the important business
Ing, however, that, In the end nv fellow citix ans en-
lighted by knowledge Of facts, would do Justice Al
inc sssdui'y OF my exertons and the rec,i,uds
VOL 80 ~
public tunctionsies on tho present OCCASION 10 con.
so'ing earnest OF the candid judgment which our coun.
Try will ultimately pass us all.
But q far more interesting object, gentlemen has
oroognt US together, on the present occasion. We
have met to render 6lial homage to one of the IA
ner. Of our country, and to offer him our heartfelt
congratulations on the glorious destiny, which has Al
the same moment, consummated his own iame and es.
taoshed the liberties Of his native land-Fabful IN
n,m 10 All the vcsitudes OF his svenul and illus,rous
lie. ne and his generous countrymen here present.
will pardon us the national pride which has SO often
claimed him for our own Lafayette" nor will he
value our sympathy In his elevated fortunes the less
because it happens to be mingled with grat6c alton
Oh our own vanity In the relation we sustain 10
him-(Cheers)
10 family feast like the present. calling up so many
patriotic recoecons, may not be pardoned also for
passing retrospect 10 native land. In witnessing
the convusions which have recently ari,aed the old
world, We must have BEEN moro than ever impress
win the happy desinies of our country While other
nations, after long centuries Of restless probation have
been struggling TOR the institutions which the desire
tho aRonZing throcs oil revolution Ii Ia orr
peculiar happiness to have commenced our exi,
tence, as nation, with institutions which wo all have
an Intimate conviction are the only ons o suited IN
ourseves.."s do not pretend to decide for other
natons, who are Themselves the only competen,
judges OF what their situation aud interest reouirs
and we readily admit the great practical truth ina,
a dineIence Oh circumstance often calls for a CIR
responding difference in political organic atoms Ian.
Pause) But IN relation to ourselves there is but one
opinion among US OF the fitness and excelepce of our
lnsu"ons ,or ourselves Our task, is therefore, d
In rhA
In particular, preserve entire the foundation atone
on which the whole edi6ce OF our insIitutions rss
Pause) 'P-
~ there be any truth In regard 10 cur institutions
whicn 10 more vividy impressed upon the mind OF an
american eizen In visiting foreign countries than an
osher It 10 the vital importance of our Cos.ttuoual
ohion' When we are abroad. we naturally look at eur
country through the medium of its relations with other
Par.s OF me world Feeling that personal consi.
aeation among strangers Is but the reflection of TIA,
whch our country enjoys, we led 10 observe ON
what our national estimation is founded; and we now
perceive that 1t rests alone on our imposing character
and expanding destines united people, II enc.
m'es undervalue us, they support their opinions bv
vague prediction OF the dissolution of our union If
enlightened statesmen regard us with the respec, du
20 ssea, nation, Il is because they in The COM
mon sentiments and Interests which pervsde our conn.
ry the certain guarantees OF the permapence of onr
uncn. Ii any American, therefore,, should be sceptic
enougn 10 Do disposed to calculate the value of the
union, or the happiness OF our condition. as trust
mere none lot him travel, aud he will soon tnd ell
ements Tor solving his theoem. The course Of these
observations, gentlemen, leads TO propose 10 Won
senument, which, am sure, is but the expression of
"hat mas been thousand times suggested 10 Won bv
your own patriotic reflections in a foreign land
our Federal Union-he source of our respect and
security abroad; the palladium of our liberties and
happiness at home."
The speech of the Minister was throu shout recsv
90 WIN evident commendatons, and he was fire uuen,
y interrupted by applause, that was however snotL
cred, with view TO hear him out. But when he pavs
hs 'oas'' the company rose TO man, ami Line hearty
cheers given.
In; chairman then alluded 10 the fac, that amons
thsir guests on that day, two da,ng me
VINO mad served with the army OF Rocbambeau, one
oil whom IN. Lametb) had been severely woundsd in
stormng the redoubts at Yorktown Alter fry otbar
remarks he; gave
"To the
and TO the memory Of their dead"
aeth made orisf reply IN English. He aid objects
OF both france and Amsraa the They both wished
s oefy and public order But the geographical pos Of
ana her ancient habits rendered for her
stop short Of what America had dono paid high compi
% 20 me Gnstac,e OF washington recommended his hearers
;p e P1pc virtue, and 'the memory Of
The next toast france Tho chairman remarked that of
Ioogn nations France fe sound and iu
views OF policy that from America had the mos, 70
peG asa the least to apPrehend; Of all foreign
certainly the one which would surfaces in lis favor a.
mons's our eva citizens Aer few he
gaze nv
w. oon barfot replied exceedingly neat and po;ntsd d
& ne alluded with singular felicity views of tho dss
government that among their admirers lie paid
e bandsoe compliment TO the States which he ermed
smiy Of the nations regret hs, we could NOT n,
copy OF this speech, which delivered no manner in
drank to the NTf" - Ouiop.on'ot
.Pp.ro'psrity aod happiness Of the United ss,.,5
me Chsman heb said words tho .v,to of
an neo population 20 mort OF bringing into
sa,,eace the admirable body which exists 10 ewa country
The National Guards of France,