The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-27
Washington City, March, 1888.
EXTRACT.

OF the great men who have appeared in the world,
many have been distinguished by the spendor of their
birth station many by the boldness variety Of their
achievements; and many by the peculiares Of genius
conduct which from the extraordinary contrast pre-.
sened BY them have awakened the curiosity or gated
the novelty Of the giddy multitude. | know not how
it has happened, but So fear the fact will be found to
be, that high moral qualities rarely the passport to
extensive POPULAR favor or renown. Nay, a calm and
steady virtue which temporarily and wisely and
plunges into Indscreton extrayagance is but
too often COMPOUNDED with dulness and igdity of tenn
permanent II seems as if it was deemed the preroga-
live, if the attribute Of genius, indulge itself in
eccenrictes, and to pass from one extreme TO another,
leaving behind the dark impressions of its vices its
folies. The deeper movements OF the SOUL in the in
workings of its thoughts, supposed to display
themselves, like volcanoes 10 the natural world by
casional explosions, which ave. but at the same time
excite, the crowd OF eager spectators They struck
with admiration OF what they do not apprehend and
mistake their emotions for the presence Of superior
power They are hewildered by the shifting exhibition,
alternately, of brilliant deeds and debasing passions OF
neectua Efforts OF transcenden energy, and paradoxes
Of overweight ingenuity and being unable to fathom
the motive or source of anomalies, they confound
travagance with enterprise, and the dreams of wild
btlon with lofty and well considered design ..
And yet, If there is any thing taught either by the
preccpts of Christianity, the history Of race it
Is that true greatness lnscparabe from sound morals
that the highest wisdom is but another for the
highest talents That the genus which burns with pure
and regular flame, throws far and wide lis benefcent
light to guide and cheer while occasional corrusca-
tons only TO peTplex and betray US to bor-
the language Of poetry, serve bit make the
rounding darkness visible. The calm and patient
researches Of Newton aud Locke have conferred far
more lasting benefits mankind, than all the achieve
ments Of all the heroes and conquerors of ancient
modern time. One patriot, like EpamInondas Scipo,
Washington outwelghs host Of .Alcxanders, Cae-
sars and Napocons The fame Of Justinan as a for
tunato posscsso of the imperial purple, would have long
faded into almost evanescent point III history
If his memorable Codes of Jurisprudence had not
cured him an enviable immortality, by the instruction
which they have impaired to the legislation OF all
ceedng times. He who has been enabled by the force
Of his talents and the example Of his virtues identify
his character with the solid interests and happiness
OF his country lie who has lived long enough stamp
the impression of his mind upon the age, and has
left on record lessons Of wisdom for the study and i'm
proyemen, Of all postery, he, say has attained all that
a truly great should aspire TO. lie has erected
monument in the hearts Of men. Their gratitude will
perpctualy though it may be silently breathe forth his
praise and the voluntary homage paid 10 his name will
speak language ntcllIgble and more universal
than any cptaph inscribed Paran marble, any image
wrought out by the cunning hands of sculpture.