Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-11-13

Scotland too, and her patriotic song,
"Who would be traitor knave,
Who would fill towards grave,
Let him turn and fee"
r.
The late war to be sure, commenced
inauspiciously enough---our financies
were disordered, public credit not SO well
Established, and the troops generally I'M
disciplined. But if a few reverses cast a
momentary shade over the war on land
thevictory at New Orleans came at length
to close the contest with splendor to our
arms--while the little Navy had encircled
itself with living flame Of glory. We
came out with honor, but il was trying
period. Never was there time when
the country stood more in need of reso-
lutte men, and Der summons brought them
forth. .Now, thank God, after near TWEEN
ty years of repose, in the midst of peace
and plenty, we are spared in our mature
days, TO assemble around the festive board,
recount past dangers, ''shoulder our
crutches and fight the battles DER again"
''To feel that this day twenty years ago,
| had participated in an action which is
thought worthy of being perpetuated:--
to meet SO many smiling and familiar IA
ces (many of whom have grown up within
my recollection;) and that too, on this well
known spot fold Fort Hickory now dec
GRATED with that magnificent structure the
Rail Road-all, the time, place and cir
cumstances, conspire to fill me with emo
tons that may be imagined but cannot be
described.
"Mr. President, the language of your
toast holds out the dazzling prospect, in
the future, of rewards in ''public fame
and honors." Sir, have no claim topre-
fer. The small debtin my favor has been
cancelled long since. My constituents,
and the people of Kentucky, have been
prodigal in their manifestations of kind
ness, which do not boast of, but refer to
10 spirit of humility as so little has been
done TO deserveit. And why is it that J
have been continued in official life with
such majorities as no man ever received
in the state before? Simply because ]
brought with me industry, and unbending
devotion to Democratic principles. What
an illustration of Rapublicanism!-and
what an admirable power of appeal it
must give our free constitution to your
reverence aud loyalty, to see it throw O.
pen the chances OF the highest official sta.
lions IN the Union, to persons in the hum
bic walks Of life If they possess persever-
ance and integrity! For myself, being
sprung from the common ranks of society,
had no claim to the distinction you have
conferred on me except that founded on a
rectitude OF purpose united with industri-
Gus habits. aHt4
"Your gratitude has been boindless--
and will instance myself to falsify the
saying that ''republics are ungrateful. y
No man ever had such constituents as
have, and it is because they believe my
life and fortune would be willingly rsked
in defence of the constitution. A consti-
tuition, stronger now verify believe in the
hearts of the people than it ever was be-
fore, arising from the experience ofits ex-
ellence. 1t is stronger even from the
number Of the states. The vain fear for
mery entertained and urged, that the I'm
ion would be weakened by its extensions
to new states, has vanishcd--a we have
ACTUALLY seen our young sisters the first to
raise their voices against the South Caro-
lima heresy, and in vindication Of the old
school. Sir, we may repose in safety on
that point, and rely on the trust-worthiness
of human nature for the success and sta
bility of our governmental least so long
as 1t shall be administered with due re
gard TO the objects Of its institution. II
must endure if conducted with simplicity
and economy-without attempts to con-
centrate too vast patronage in the hands
of the general government, which might
ultimately crush the states by usurping an
unlimited control over the domestic and
individual concerns Of life.
i Without OBTAINING you longer, gentle
men, Propose the following sentiment;
The Constitution of the United States-a
charter of limited authority, sufficient to pre-
serve the Union, without the aid of impica-
ton. .t.@"t'
/ 1t will be seen by the asterisks, that the
above is but sketch of parts of Colonel
Johnson's speech. We were present and
heard the whole. The sentiments which
4 he uttered on the occasion, were so patri-
otto, and 50 consistent with his whole life.
as democratic republican,, that the de
light and appreciation Of those present,
we're manifested by shouts and loud APP
plause, at very short intervals, during the
whole of his discourse. Some of the rev
olutionary patriots were heard TO exclaim
that this reminded them of the talk in the