Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-08

p Wetherill Jacob Is. Lancaster,
BENJAMIN Tevi., Edward llaydock,
John B. Trevor. r. A. Parrish.
Resolred, That the proceedings of the meeting
be published in the newspapers OF the city OF fhii
adelphia, JOHN SERGEANT, President
Samuel Richards, Vice
I I",",. na', 'Ss,,,,e,. Presidents
Attest
John schU I!.f ; Secretaries.
SPEECH OF THE HON. MIR. BURGESS.
At the Dinner gipen him by a large number Of
the Citizens Of New York, March, so, 1881.
Mn. President AND GENTLEMEN
thank you, most cordially thank you. All
| could say would tell you very small part on
ly of those feelings given to me by your express
sons of Kindness and consideration towards me,
and my very inefficient efforts in the public SER
vice. From my earliest recolechons to the pre-
sent moment, the appreciation of my fellow-la-
borers, has enlivened my hopes, cheered my ex-
ertions, and been dear 10 my heart Whether
guiding the plough, or welding the instruments
OF mechanic labor, the employments of my earll-
er life; whether engaged in forensic tolls at the
calls of my friends, or in the service of our com
mon country, so dear to US all. that appreciation
has been among my most engaging motives.
have fallen behind MANY, in success, but have
endeavored to keep pace with the foremost, IN
zeal and diligence When look round on these
splendid Accomplishments, associated by your
kindness with those efforts in the cause OF the ma
ton, though must be more or less, than human,
not to feel gratfied, and to attempt some express
sion of that feeling; yet cannot be vain enough
to arrosate all see, and hear, to myself merely.
who am but the ncOnsiderable occasion, anu
not the ultimate object, Of all these preparations
these DISPLAYS of national feeling, these genu-
inc oblations TO elevated patriotism.
IF we have been told men are born to con-
sumo the fruit Of the earth. and there be those
who might look on all these provisions OF the
table, and on us assembled here. with no better
purpose than ordinary rejection, the mere every
day operations Of mastlcation and swallowing
such men may best take their vIands by them
selves, each one gnawing his bone. and growing
his prisons, if he make any, in the solitude OF his
own den. 'Fhe table has, by the custom OF all
nations, been consecrated to the purcst rights OF
hospitality. Among the most ferocious warri-
ors. hostilites cease; truce and peace are for
the time. established, the moment they have
taken salt together from the same stand. 0f all
those who dipt their bread, at the same table, in
the same condiment, sacred story has told us that
one only became a traitor. Should we, who with
warm hearts and glad faces are now met together
at this table, this altar of good will and patriot
ic feeling, ever meet again, no matter in what
land, or under what auspices, adverse or pros
porous, this high ceremonial of kindness and pa
trotism, could not be { rgotten; aud we should.
in memory Of this evening. and of these rites OF
hosDitality, take each other by the hand with
higher. and holier ardor of brotherhood.
The hours of rejection were, by the wise men
of antiquity, devoted to both bodily and mental
refreshmsni; the table was spread not more for
the purpose of food, than of conversation; and
the public places for those purposes were the
great schools Of mutual instruction for the COM
monwealth. =. Our republican Institutions are as
we trust, improvements on the models OF ooth
ancient and modern governments; but our ADM,
nistratlon of them may not, at all times. equai
the wise and patriotic adv Illustration OF the an
clients; and if they deemed it important, at these
hours of refreshment. TO discuss Pu0ic analrs,
and the conduct of public men, 1t cannot De I'M
wise, Or improper in us, to have adopted IN some
form or other. this classic custom, established,
as mart of their free institutions, by the sages
and statesmen of antiquity. II YOU please, then,
gentlemen, permit me, tor some brief time, to
Iill up this pause of festivity; and in exchange
for the flow of the goblet, to offer you that OF the
soul.
The great interests of the nation. the govern
ment established by the people of these United
States for the preservation and advancement of
those interests, and the administration of that 60
vernment by the public agents, selected and APP
pointed for that purpose, are all subjects of deep
and vital concern TO each one of us, and of the
whole nation What the past was we all know:
what the present is, let us enquire, that we may
hereby endeavor to provide for the future
The Constitution of our country has recently,
rom the place where | now have the honor to
stand, received such exposition and eulogium,
ind 50 perfect and finished. as neither to re-
luire nor to admit addition, or improvement
The boldest artist of Greece never attempted to
i've new excellence to the Minerva Of Phidias.
Considering the great principles Of that constl-
ution, as settled and established. we may Sc
urely turn our attention to some OF its great pro.
sions, as they have been reduced to practice,
ndar tho eeveral administrations of the general