Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-08

INDUCED BY presumptuous man, that is one Of the
rashest. which looks for deliberate ie.establi,h.
ment of a united Government over distinct
and widely extended communities. Such
thin. has happened once 10 human affairs and bur
once: the event stands out, as q prominent eY.
ceprion to all ordinary history; and unless We
suppose ourselves running into an age Of mira.
cIes, we may not expect its repetition.
Washington. therefore. could regard, and did
regard, nothing as Of paramount political interest
but the integrity Of the Union itself. With a
united Gave lnment. well administered. he saw
we had nothing to fear; and without it, nothing
to hope. The sentiment is just, and its moment
Gus truth should soIemnly impress the whole couu.
try. If we might regard our country as person.
ated in the spirit of Washington; if We might
consider him as representing her. in her pas, re.
nown, her present prosperity, and her future Ca
reer, and as in that character demanding of Us
all, to account for our conduct. as political men,
or a. private citizens, no" should he answer him
who has ventured to talk of disunon anil dis.
memberrnent! Or, how should he answer hm
who dwe'ls perpetually on local Interests. and
fans every kindling flame Of local preju,Iicr!-.
How sbOuld ne answer him. who would arrcv
State against State, interest against interest," and
party against party, careless ut the continuance
one People?
Gentlemen. the political prosperity which this
country has attained. and which il now enjuvs il
has acquired mainly through the instrumentan
of the present Government. While this agent
continues, the capacity Of attaining to srI higher
degrees Of prosperity exists also. We have,
while this lasts. political life, capable Of bene.
fetal exertion, with power to resist or overcome
msfortUnes. to sustain Us against the ordinary &C.
cidents of human affairs, and to promote, bv &C.
tive ef;rts. every public interest But dismem.
berment strikes at the very being which preserves
these faculties; it would lay its rude and ruth.
less hand on this great agent itself. Ii would
sweep away. not only what We possess. but all
power OF resaInIng last, or acquiring new, posses
sions. Ii would leave the country, not only be.
reft OF lis prosperity and happiness. but without
limbs. or organs, or faculties, by which TO exert
itself. hereafter, in the pursuit of That prosperity
and happiness.
Other mi,fortunes may be borne, or their ef.
fects overcome. II disastrous war sweep our
commerce from the ocean, another generating
may renew it; If il exhaust our treasury, futuu
industry may repenish it; if it desolaIe and ,ay
waste our fields, still, under new cuItiyati.n
they will grow green again, and 'ipen TO future
harvasts. 1t were hut trfie, even il the VI d
Of Wonder Capitol were to srumble, il its llry
pillars should fall, and its gorgeous decorarrl IS
be all covered bv the dust of the valley. AL
these might be rebuilt. But who shall reconstruct
the fabric of demolished Government WIZ ,oAIl
rear again the well pr0pOrtioned columns Of Con.
stituti0nal l.ibertyl Who shall frame together
the skilful architecture which unites National
sovereignty with State rights. indi' ldua srcui.
ty. and public prosperity M, gentlemen if
these columns fall, they will be raised not a.an.
Like the Colosseum and the Parthenon, they vii
b, destined 10 rnournful, melancholy immar.
tally. Bitterer tears, however, will ho" aver
them. than were ever shed over the monuments
of Roman or Grecian art; for they will N The
remnants Of more glorious edifce than Greece
or Rome ever saw-the edifice Of Constitution
America an Liberty.
But. gentlemen, let US hope for better things.
Let US trust IN that Gracious Being who has HI
therto held our country, as in the hollow OF his
hand. Let US trust to the virtue and the intel.
Igence of the People, and to the efh'acy OF re'.
yi0us obligation. Let u trust to the influenced
Washington, example Let US nope that that
rear GI Heaven. WHICH ehpris o'''' ''a'f
that regard to duty. ~li' h transcends all other
regard. NAV influence publ, men and private l.
tzens, and lead our country still onward III her
happy career. Full Of these gratifying an'cPi,,
tions and hopes. let US look forward t" the frdol
that century which is now commenced hun
drrd wears hence. other disciples of Washington
will celebrate his birth, with no less OF sincere
admiration than we nov commemorate It. When
they shall meet. as we now meet. 10 do them,
selves and him that honor, SO surely az they 'ha'
see the blue SUBMITS of his native mountaln'n'e
in the horizon; surely as they shall behold the
river on whose banks he lived, and on whose
banks he rests. still flowing to the sea; so surely
may thew see. az we now see. the flag Of the UnOh
floating on the top Of the Capitol; an ths,R' a.
now, may the sun in his course visit no Iand~"'
free, more happy, more lovely, than this ouro''
Country.
Gentlemen, propose
Z" The Memory Of George Harrington"