Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-04

my h0nored countrymen, my most valued
friends. thought should have been better pre-.
pared for the emotions OF this moment; but it
is long, very long, since stood IN person before
the public, and so immeasurably is the anticipa.
ton from my widest dream exceeded by what
now experience, that am compelled to cast my
self upon your indulgence for my inability to give
nv feelings ut,erance. And shall not do 90
without apprehension, having the evidence before
me Of this brilliant scene.-' the beautiful and
the brave.' the wise and the wealthy, clustering
in one unequalled galaxy Of lofty and Of liberal
hearts,-that for any thing depending upon kind
ness 1t is impossible to look to you in vaini-
Grant me your pardon, then, If am incompetent
to acknowledge that kindness as ought: for 1t
is your own goodness that paralyzes the power
to thank you, and am dazzled, dizzied, sur
prised, overwhelmed.
When think that in this place three and
twso,y years ago, my youthful steps first ventur-
ed before the public,-feelings and associations
rush through my memory,-for which your own
sympathies will find a language, that my tongue
seeks in vain. The very theatre in which
stood, has since been ieveled to the ground ,-and
though am upon the same spot, there remains
no vestige of the stage which the fond faucles Of
boy arrayed in all the charms and promises OF
fairy land. Since then, the character Of my am
things wee and ,cere most precious; and the
retrospect becomes the more touching to myself,
now that appear on it for the last time and bid
it formally aud eternallv farewell. II isa high
| satisfaction to me that my adieu to the stage,
aud my return to mv home, should be marked by
! an event, which, to all Americans who devote
themselves to literature and the arts, will give
glorious lesson II will show them that they be-
long to country which is incapable of forgetting
her sons. and let those sons, whatever their
discomforts and toll not despair, for the time
,cM come, when they shall be nob!y recollected.
For myself, do not acQuiesce in the testimoni-
| al Of this night, under any vanity regarding my
own claims, which can mislead the as to its real
incentive; but have deep sense Of the respon.
s,b,ty imposed on me by this unprecedented
/ Kindness; aud believe me, my excellent friends,
! believe me, my beloved countrymen, It will
be the study aud the prayer and the perpetual
hope of INV future life, 10 render myself worthy
of the present moment, and Of country Of
: which was sse' proud, and now, since have
seen other con, frts, an yet more proud than ev-
er, and ct ',!1, NJ whose far-sghted. gencr-
Gus and gal ac,s, hourly witness fresh mo-
tives fos nHs ina, it is my distinction to
! have been iscr sun.
! Congress, nal Districts "A writer IN the
Rich,oon' enquirer OF the Esd ultimo. in speak
Ing OF the .actings aud doinss" Of the approach
ing session Of our Legislature, saws he hopes IN
arranging the Congressional Districts the Legs
laturr viii have steady eye to the predominan-
cy Of the States Right doctrine in Virginia. as
we'll as 10 snsur,ng a strong delegation in Con-
eress of III. same creed. That every effort will
be made by the states right party, VII" possess
the asc eudancy m the Legislature, to arrange the
Districts IN such manner as 10 smother as far as
possible those counties opposed to their doctrines
and measures, both Federal and State, we enter
tain not doubt; wholly disregardess, IN doing
which, of the vital principle VI our government
| which should secure 70 the minority the right OF
advancing and supporting BY faar and equal
means their interests and principles. As to
Loudoun, in the hands Ut this party, she may
look tor nothing short Of immolation; such an ar
ranyement as will wholly stiae her voice IN Con.
sress. provided, it can be done. II she Is true
to herself, if she throws aside all minor 'niiuen'
ces and views, looks to principles before men,
she may still bid defiance to all such steps to
Smother her voice Let her be connected as che
may, much, IL not all, will depend upon the can
didate advanced to represent the district. lie
must unite the party entertaining similar prlncl'
pies with those OF Loudoun. the success oil the
opposition is inevitable. We are not disposed TO
,can this subject deeper so lar IN ADVANCE oi Tue
Jay of action, although we think 1t may not DC
amiss 10 draw attention to it, as we feel perfect
y assured every effort will be made to disfran'
ch,se. in fact, the people Of Lnudoun, and CON-
sequently they should be revolving it with the
view Of devising some mnde to uphold their voice
aud rights Lcesburg Washingionia's.
rive have no doubt, ourselves, both OF the In
clination and intention of the dominant party in
the Legislature with regard to districtins the Sc
yeraI counties in the State known to be hereficdl
Loudoun will. if possible, be so arranged as to
smother her vote entirely. This patriotic and in.
telIigent county-whose citizens are strong in
numbers, intelligence. and responsibility, no
favorite with the ''powers that be-" either at
Richmond or Washington. Her Representative
in Congress aud her Delegates in the Assembly
have not - bent the knee to Baal." For all this,
however, Loudoun has nothing to fear. She has
the energy and the means TO rise superior to.eve-