Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-03

pncss OF society, than Edward Lvingstonno one who
noa ae'esauon OF those hideous vices which
geereu oy tyranny in the goveuled well as the go
vernon believe there cannot be found in the nation
VINO would resent with indignation and prompti-
ue any attempts on the public liberty, than Edward
ivihgston--no who holds in higher estimation the
weiounded favor OF the public: And yet no homes of
ann1 ~ prospects oil promotion-could induce him to
appear 10 the guilty passions and preuces people;
or TO maintain sanctioned by sober
you talk to Mr. Livingston of the expansion the pub.
nc weaith--o our captalof our and coinmu-
hcauons--o the multiplication of our richcshs coune
tenance glows with delight, aud he connects them In
santy with constitution and its great PRINCIPLES n
ne speaks 10 you oil the expenditures OF the Government
ne uenounces all waste and hostile 10
noery; And yet he holds to liberal economynot that
a'Se economy which mars the national prosperity and
chokes up the springs OF future weah-that is short
sighted singe-eyedthat looks petty savings as the
sole secret of political Alchemy.
Mr. Livingston Is profound and Accommodated lawver
during his long and brilliant career at the Bar he exbib
@ Ia ms peadngs an exact knowledge of all the strong
anu weak parts oil every cause he had to manage He
employed general principles and enlarged his views 10
wae ana comprehensive conclusions Always restrained
ny deicacy, springng both from taste and feeling no
used all lawful and honorable advantages most likely IN he
successful In his forensic combats was dgniied and
strictly the laws of polished hostility. strong
masculine pespicuous speakernever fantastic or absurd
without any awdry ornaments-hs know ledge of his
subject was copous almost to redundancyhis Judgment
was profound and high-reaching He was heard with
deep attention by the judgesbv the urors-witb reve
renee and admiration by his brethren of the Bar-wi,h
uengh. Dy inc curious and inqusve stranger Twenty
years when Edward Livingston had attained the rpe
ness oil mature age-when he was i'm full practice-bis
lame was known TO the whole West-to the very bootnen
VINO navgated the Mississippi. When engaged i'm great
cause where life, reputation or vast amount of property
was involvedwhen he put forth all his powers-when
n,s genus was enkinded-he homage OF the crowd was
atesed by the with which it pressed forward 10
peho num- and the breathles silence with which it heard
MN. II Is not my purpose to speak in this place, pacu-
AIRY, Oh 'ne Criminal Code which Mr.. Livingston has
given to his adopted State. Upon its merits civilians and
statesmen, both OF Europe America have
W put the reputation of Grotius is canonzed,
Ill 'aei though diffuse and superficial writer is vet
read and appauded,if praise Justly bestowed on
u'on Tor ms successful application of to the great
ana multiplied purposes Of commerce-fh the countryInen
oil Clinton are bound in gratitude to raise a mansoleum
over ms mortal remains, why should honor Edward
Livingston for his admirable Code of Criminal Iaxy
founded upon philosophical view of man and wise
practical Judgment upon his present condition! However
we are checred by one consong reflection! The time is
al mana when other than poshumous honors will be
awarded to our great The time is approaching
when homage will be paid merely to successful po
ucians but to intellectual supremacy. Very soon men
WIN une|hot Tor the great and little vulgar-not for
those cursed with moral perversion and intellectual hind
ness but Tor men of broad, brilliant and sound views
very soon sufficient number will be found in our nation
VINO VIII appreciate the productions of genius
Mr.. Livingston is a statesman How much is compre-
hended in this term In statesman there must lie at the
ouhdaon as werea lively sympathy in the fortunes
oil manknd-a warm zeal for the interests of truth and
lusuce without the guidance of which the highest men
TAI endowmens when applied to political researches are
perpetual danger OF losing their way Under our form
OF government at least the of that man who would
DE statesman must be- that knowc is power :" and
ne must possess capacity toperceve those splendid proofs
mat are multiplying before him, of its benignant inu-
chec MS NINA must regard the discoveries of the past
ana present age with reference 20 the great purpose of
improving the condon-hc faculties and the nature of
man. II you will examine the works of our beloved and
immortal jefferson, you will that these were his views
uunS ,hat long series OF years which he spent in labor
ing for his country.
tits properly left mere politicians to write pampb,e,
ana 10 engage In discussions OF personal immediate
interest," 10 the statesman belongs the nobler employ
ment OIL writing and speaking upon great constitutional
quesuonso national wrongs-of the oppression of the
people-oi dangers impending over the country and The
constitutional the necessity of general educaton-n
deed on all subjects requiring high and hgb cha
racter Upon most of these subjects Mr. vingston ha
either written or spoken and that too, in syleEvigorous
and bold-mellow and elegant-free-nobIea and 60
times glowing and lofty.
1t is now more than thirty five years since Mr. Living
ston was first engaged in politics. You will naturally en-
quire what his political principles really are He has al
ways maintained the capacity the people 10 qovern
thenseves-the liberty of speech of the press-tba
ours is government of laws not OF menposessipo or
uer' hehod and constancy TO surprZing degree:-tha
property should be rendered safehat industry and the
arts should be encouraged and that rulers should be
secure AMIDST me people, like fathers amongst their chill
dren That the object OF those clothed with political now
err IN governing should not be their own advantage but
that oil the Peopleha they should promote the improve
ent OF our nature and characteristic excecncies-thus
strengthening our national spirit and confirming our love
lor our own couny;-that they should cnghen instead
oil hoodwnking the many Moreover that those clothed
with political authority should regard the wealth. the
prosperity and the instruction of the people, as the frmest
basis OF the fame of those who administer the pubic az
fairs; and that iii their duty direct the attention of
constituents TO objects of national and permanent utv-
TO conceal from them nothing which thew ongbt r. Lno
TO animate them in their efforts to improve their intel
ecua and moral condionto preserve their constitution
rights and tile honor aud their country
have heard Mr.. Livingston the floor of the Senate
Ills hgure-the mdness of his conference.-the ora
ciousness OF his manner-he dignity of his presence
prepossesscd strongly in his favor-He certainly ms
sessed, as debater, striking popularity: He never
contemplated his subject party man. His eve
took IN the whole bearing of difficult problem of leo
salon and his mind pursued it through remoest rai
hcaons lie did not conne his views ambition of
umping in that individual debate nor did he consider
the subject he was discussing on which he MIGHT
display his dextery, harass his political
opponents In his speeches. his judgment and good sense
were always superior TO the brilliancy of his fancy
The official habits of the Secretary are already well
known mere never was a more prompt efficient and
vigant olfce in the public service. In dschargine the
duties OF his department, he enjoys TO the full all tho ben
Governmental that deep interest which he took i'm |
those questions OF international law, which were agafed
and discussed In the first OF national
III you talk TO him OF the rights of neutras-on the Dues
ton oil impressnent-o the claims of merchants for
spoations committed by the French prior TO the Conven
ton OF lSOO-oi the financial views of Hanilon-o( our
reates-our navigaton--our commcrceof the rights of
the States--of the powers of the General Govern
ment-he IS entirely at home,he speaks you in strong
dioInatic English--he is as lucid as daylight
In the domestic relations of life-n the midst of his "a,
mly no man is more amiable engaging than Mr. Lv.
ngston. There,
Affection light, his lamp"
In his convvia intercourse his conversation is peryaded
by philosophical benevolence: il is felt i'm the cnerosi
~ OF his praise, and the tenderness of his ccnstre Uo
abhors all that is artificial and affected and looks with
pleasure rival excellence. His mind at his oy
re-sde IS or may be allowed TO the sime) like the
bow of Ulysses when unsrung. There he fairly AT
play In kindness TO his lcndsin condescension to his
guestsno excels him. You may well suppose that
a Wh half