Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-01-21
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GENTLEMEN:-f thank you very sincerely for
your kind invitation to the dinner at which the
Mechanics Benevolent Society of Norfolk in
tend to celebrate the approaching Anniversary
of their Institution. 1t would give me real plea
sure to accept such an invitation, proceeding
from such source, at any other time The
charitable object of your institution, commands
the appreciation, and entities all its members to
the thanks and high consideration Of this COM
munity; and should have felt great satisfaction
in testfying the sense entertain of the value of
such Society," by participating in its Anniver-
sary Celebration. But, to be frank with you,
fear to meet you on Monday next. am about
to leave you, perhaps forever: many of you have
been my neighbors and most steady friends,
and the scene OF our separation would be well
calculated to rouse feelings and remembrances
that had better be kept in subsection | regard
you all very highly-you know | do so--and
therefore, you warmly reciprocate the senti-
ment Such mutual opinions neither require or
permit expression by words. We know each
other we'll and that is enough.
have long been convinced, that public en-
tertainments, given topubic men, are wrong in
themselves. 1t is true, that yours is periodi-
ca! festival, which would occur as matter of
course, and as you say and think now, you but
avail yourselves of the annual recurrence, to
testify your good will towards me- You de-
ceive yourselves in this thought 1t is my pride
to believe, that if you had not found you would
have made the occasion; and it is my duty to
warn you seasonably of its effects Once begin
by offering public proofs Of your regard to men
in Office, and you will surely see your annual
celebration perverted. 1t will soon become the
scene of such vile fattery and base sycophancy
you now blush to hear issuing from the lips
of those who call themselves freemen
If you ever find one who has done his duty
faithfully and who for doing SO has encountered
the froWns of power and oil the disgaceit can
infict, although others may fly him as contami-
mated, let the Mechanics Benevolent Society of
Norfolk tender rich cup Of consolation to such
distress.-Let it pledge him cordially, and drain
the draught of approving sympathy even to it's
dregs. Such an act will be appropriate to the
character of your Institution. But do not pam
per power, or stimulate pride and place. until
you make modesty itself vain and arrogrant.-
If may not call this the advice of a father to
his children, it is that Of one whom you have of.
ten honored as the guardian your dearest and
best rights; and who is, therefore, bound to show
you by example what his precepts teach.
In declining your kind invitation, do some
violence to my own feelings. Yet am pleased
that the occasion has occurred for it has given
to me an opportunity of stating to you nv rea
sons for doing so. Reasons, some of which in
duce me to pursue the same course hereafter
should any such occasion again be presented
to me.-That which decline when offered bv
my old neighbors and friends, cannot be accent |
ed if rendered by any other hands
am respectfully, Gentlemen,
Your most obed't servt.
LIrrN w. TAzEwELL
Messrs S. Hartshorn, F. Delany,
and L. G. Broughton.