Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-09

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the bcnignity of Providence, this experiment SO
full of interest to and to posterity forever
full of interest to the world, in its present gene
ration, and in all its generations to come was suf
icred to commence under tho guidance Of WASH
ington. Destined fer this high career he was 6,.
ted for it by wisdom, by virtue, by patriotism by
discretion, by whatever can inspire confidence in
man towards man. In entering tho untred
scenes, early disappointment, and tho premature
extinction of all hope of success, would have boon
certain, had it not boon that there did exist
out the country, IN most extraordinary degree,
an unwavering trust in hun whose hand held the
helm of affairs.
1 remarked, gentlemen, that tho whole world
was and is interested in the result of this cxpcr-
mcnt. And is it not so? DO we deceive ourselves
or is II true, that nt this moment the career which
Tins Government is running IL among the most
attractive objects to the civilized world! Do VIC
deceive ourselves or is it true, TINT at this moment
that lovo of liberty and that unders nding of its
true principles, which flying over the whole
world as on the wings of all the Winds arc really
and truly IT American originl
At the period of tho birth of Washington there
existed in Europe no political liberty i'm largo com.
munitics, except tho Provinces of Holland and
except that England herself had set a great exam.
pie, so tar as 1t went, by her glorious Revolution
OF 1865. Every where else, despotc power wac
predominant, and the feudal or military princi-
pie held the mass of mankind in hopeless bondage.
Ono half of Europe was crushed beneath the
Bourbon sccptre, and no conception of political
X
listed among that Nation which was Americas
first ally. The King the State, the King was
the country, the King was all. There was one
King, with power not derived from hiS People, and
too nigh TO be quesoned and the r9l w ,fe all
subjects, with political right, but 6bc,licacs-
All above was intangible power, all below quiet
suhcction. A recent occurrence in inc French
Chambers shows us how human sentiments on
these subjects have changed A Minister had spo-
ken of the kings subjects" "'There nre no SUB.
Jccts," exclaimed hundreds of voices at once, sin
country where the People make the King"
Gentlemen, the spirit of human besty and of
Tree government, nurturcd and grown into strength
and beauty i'm America, has stretched it's course
into the midst of the Nations. Like an emana.
ton from Heaven, il has gone forth, and it will
not return void. 1t must change, it is fast chang
ing the face of tho earth. Our great, cur high
duty, is to show, in own example, that this
spirit is spirit of health as we'll as spirit of
power; that its bcnignity great its strength;
That It's efficiency to secure individual rights, social
relations, and moral order, is equal to the rresisti.
Die iorce' with which it prostratcs princpalitics
ana powers. The world, at this moment, is re-
garding us with willing, but something Of fear
tul admiration. Its deep and awful anxiety is to
learn whether free States may be stable, as.well
trcc; whether popular power may be trusted, as
wen as feared. In short, whether wise, regular,
and virtuous self government, is n vision, for the
contemplation of theorists; a truth, established,
Illustrated and brought into practice, in the coun-
try of Washington.
the whole circle of the sun-for all the unborn
races OF mankind, we seem to hold i'm our hands,
Tor Their veal or woe, the fate of this experiment
1T we fail, who shall venture the repetition? If
our example shall prove to be one, not Of encou-
raSement, but of terror-not fit to be initiated but
mt only to be Stunned, where else shall the world
look for free modelsl If this great Western Sun
be struck out of the armament, at what other
fountain shall the Lamp of Liberty hereafter be
lighted? What other orb shall emit raw to gIi,n
mer even, on the darkness of the worldl
Gentlemen, there is no danger of our overrating
or overstating the important part which we are
now acting, IN human affairs. 1t should not fiat
ter our personal self-respect but it should reani
mate our patriotic virtues, and inspire MS with
deeper and more solemn both Of our priyi
leges and of our duties We cannot wish better for
our country, nor for the world, than that tie same
spirit which influenced Washingt NAV Influence
all who succeed him; and that that same blessing
from above which attended his efforts may also at
tend theirs
The principles of Washing ton's Administration
are not lett doubtful They arg TO bGsfo1nd in the
CONSTITUTION ltseif-!n the grett mealss1s recon-
mended and approved by HMM his speeches to
Congress- and in that most interesting paper, his
Farewell! Address to the People of the United
States The success of the Government under his
Administration the highest proof of the soundness
of their principles. And, after an experience of
thirty five years, what is there which an enemy
could condemn-what is there which either his
friends or the friends of tho country could wish to
0f
great measures and leading principles.
In the first place, all his measures were right
in intent. He stated the whole basis of his
own great character, when he told the country,
IN the homely phrase of the proverb, that honesty
is the best policy. One of the most lust and most
striking things ever said of him, is, that she
changed mankinds l~sa Of political greatness"
TO commanding talent, and to success the COM
mon elements of such greatness, he added a dis
regard of self, spotlessness of motive, n steady
submission to every public and private duty, which
threw far into the shade the whole crowd of vul.
ga. great. The object of his regard was the whole
country. NO part oft was enough to fill his en-.
laTged patriotism. His love of glory so far
as that may be supposed to have influenced him at
all, spurncd every thing short of general appro
baton. 1t would have been nothing to him, that
his partizans or his favortes outnumbered, or out
voted, outmanagcd, those of other leaders
lie had no favorcs-he rejected all partisanship;
and, acting honestly for the universal good no de
served, what he has SO richly enjoyed, the unver-
sal love.
His principle was, to act right, and to trust the
People for support; his principle it not fol-
low tho lead of sinister and selfish ends, and to re-
Iy on the little arts of party delusion to obtain
public sanction for such course. Born for his
country, and for the world, he did not give up to
party what was meant for mankind. The conse-
quencc u.s. that his fame is durable his prnci-
pies, as lasting as truth and virtue themselves
While the hundreds whom party excitement, and
temporary circumstances, and casual combinations
have raised into transient notoricty, sink again,
like their bubbles bursting and dissolyinp into
the great ocean, Washngton's fame is like the |
rock, which bounds that ocean, and at whose
feet It's pillows destined to break harmlessly for
ever.
The maxims upon which Washington conduct.
ed our foreign relations were few and simple The |
first was, an entire and indisputable mpartiaI:ty
towards foreign States. He adhered to this rule |
of public conduct, against very strong inducements
to depart from it, and when the popularity of tho |
L.