Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-07-04


speech of Senator RoBBINs, of this State
on allowing the claim Of the legal repre-
sentative Of Col John Laurens. We
would checrfully give the whole speech
did we think our readers felt any particu-
lar interest in the claim. The annexed
paragraphs, however, are go splendid
we cannot refrain from inserting them
| Providence .2ne,icaa.
I "Something has been s2;d by The
honorable gentleman from Maine, not to
derogate from the intrinsic merits Of this
'cIaim, but to disparage the personal mer-
its of Col. Laurens;-how becomingly,
let the history fhis country bear witness
That history has recorded laurel after
laurel, conferred upon him by his coun-
try, to attest b.. grateful sense of his
high aud glorious merits. These re-
corded honors have long since gathered
round his tomb; they now thicken over
it; and will forever adon Il. So long
as the sentiment Of gratitude shall beat
in the bosom Of his country, at the re-
collection of her revolutionary martyrs,
these recorded honors shall flourish in
immortal verdme; and even it it were
possible for this sentiment of gratitude to
die in the bosom of his country, they
would still flourish. in history to kindle
the sentiment If admiration in every
other For 50 long as this language
snail last, be spoken, or read; wherever,
in all future fime, the sublime virtues Of
patriotic devotion and heroic bearing,
shall sway the affections Of TIE human
heart; the name of Laurcns will be the |
theme Of unninglcd praise, rs the Hero
above fear, as the Patriot beyond re-
proach. | confess | felt hurt, that an
American Senator, in an American Sc
natc-the proudest theatre in the world,
and that erected on the blood of our rev.
olutionary heroes, should indulge a wish
to cast a shade, even if he could, upon
one Of the brightest names in that host.
The fact alluded to, if it were fact,
would not, in my opinion, cast a shade, nor
nor even the shadow of shade, upon
that bright name. 1t would only prove,
that, in that instance, as in every other,
HE love of country prcdominatcd, and
vas his ruling passion. Nor did he pur-
sue his honorable end by dishonorable
means. lie did with the funds of his
country in his hands what he had right
o do; what his duty to his country re-
lnircd hin to do; and for doing which
ne had the Appreciation of hi, county,
and her recorded thanks. do not cow-
'lain of the statement, therefore, for
IS possible effect tn prejudice the fnre
anne of Col Laurens, but for its appa-
ent intent IL
"For the most precious of all treasure
which any country can possess, is the
ame of her great men. 1t is that alone
'hich renders any country Respondent
i the eyes of every other. The ciorud
rcneruJiic nonsca-m every instance,
S well as in that which the poet cclc-
rates, brings much TO our City. THAT =,
lme cndurcs forever: it survives al, the
'volutions and the ravages of time; even ;
lose which leave the couMry Itself Il :,
rcck, even those which bht the nation i
self out of existence; even then it still !,
lrviHes, to become the property cf man =
md, and to do honor to the species; and
specially to do honor to the memory of
e departed nation. But its great vatac - -
this-t is prolific of grea: men; be- =,
md any thing and every thing. else, it "
vakens and supplies fuel to that noblcst - ~
all sentiments, the love of country; it :.
;ctes and leads on to a perpetual emu ~ ~
ton in the race OF glory. What 1t y
art, then, must | have, if l could in =, -
,lge wish to dishonor name that :.
,es honor, and will forever do honor to Il,
G name Of my countryr' r.