Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-16

l,b;nrs which, had been said of him. lie might how.
be allowed say that he entered upon the ard
ns auties of the high station assigned 10 him with
deem sense Of the responsibility whichit involved with
reat dis,rust Of his own qualifications Tor their ade
eua:e discharge, but al the same time with resolution
IN perseyere which nothing could inspire but the
strong impulse Of public duty and the consciousness
pnripht motives What he had done had been Tor tue
country Conscious that the first feeling OF his near
had ever been to advance IFS prosperity and happiness
to receive the appreciation of his feow-cillzehs ha"
been source Of The highest qualification (Cnsets
1t was indeed the proudest reward OF the slaesmat
we'll as the soldier. fAv
Nothing, however, Mr. s said, that lie had beet hslo
10 do was sufficient to shield him from the efe&ts oil
political and party feeling. Among other things ne mao
been charged with desire of producing collision De-
tween Great Britain and the U. >. NOW, II was nor
his purpose nor it necessary 10 ener mere 'hlo
any defence OF himself But this lie couiu WIN 'lnu
saw that if there had been any one thing more mar
another connected with his mission abroad anu Oh whe
he might Justly be proud it was that IN MAINTAINING VI.
interests and honor of his country, he had done ~
way the best calculated to preserve the ancaoe Te'a
t;ons between the countries: that, regarding WEI
Two such nations az of the greatest evils
tbat could befal mankind he had done every thing W
his power to preserve peace, upon Pfncpes
with the hts and honor of each 10 this end ne nag
zeaously labored with what success time might mere
after determine Mr. S. then referred to speech made
by dstin gushed English noblemun (Lord Morpeth)
nj the North and which he said breathed not only thai
gentlemans generous spirit towards our country
and its Institutions but those of the great body OF ms
liberal and enlightened countrymen. MT Stevenson
said he had no reason to believe that the British Go.
yernment or people desired with America, al
this opinion he had communicated to his own Govern
ment But it seems, said MIR. s., that there is ST
another charge against me, and that IS, That nav.
courted and associated too much with the arstocracy OF
Europe for the representative of plain republic like
ours Now, WHAT meant by these imputations: Have
they who make them little knowledge of the Engl'sh
people TO suppose that is by fswnlng and attcry
that any man. whatever his situation may be- can reach
distinction and honor, or be received upon footing OF
equality in the best English society That he vas
treated with unbounded kindness and hospitality, nd
regarded more in the light Of friend than foreigner,
was true; and he should indeed be unworthy OF me
kindness he had received, If he did not feel highly
graed and aiered by it. Indeed, 1t was only by Pnr-
| suing plain manly and independent course, officially
and individually, that any representative could rehoer
service to his country ente himself to the esteem
and attention of the English people. The time had
passed. If it existed, when vtuperaion ana aspe.
rity, pmping and fawning were essential to TAR ana
honorable diplomacy Such course certainly did not be-
long to very enlarged and liberal system OF ethics,
Mr. S. said he should have degraded the character oil
his country by pursuing any other course than the one
he did Ii would moreover, have been neilher JUST 70
himself nor respectful to the Government people oil
| England. AS long, them as he possessed in his own
breast the consciousness of integrity IN the discharge
of his duties, such imputaons and their authors,
would excite in it no other emotion but that OF con-
tempt. lie had no other answer to give
Mr. S. then proceeded to say that, though ne feared
he had already respassed too long the patience OF the
company, he yet hoped he might be pardoned for mo-
mentary allusicn to subject which, he regretted 10 say,
had given him good deal of pain during his residence
abroad He alluded to the violent and excited OF
poltica parties the United States, Tor the last shree
or four years, and from which lie greatly ieared
Virginia had not been wholly exempt Aver an
absence Of many years from Inc thca're OF lhese
fierce and angry controversies, It was not sarpri.
sing that he should be struck with The influence oil
this violence upon the social relations of HE, and
which he presumed all good men ISust deeply deploe
Now he did not TO be understood as denying that
the existence of political parties IN snch country rs
to be expected AS far as principles were con-
cerned he was himself stroGg party man as
ever Indeed, parties within profcr limits might be
considered necessary and salutory, nasmuch as they
calculated TO operate as ceasors on each other
and keep the principles and doctrines OF each at the
bar of public opinion That these differences of OPT
aion, upon political as well as upon other subjects
should exist, and be freely expressed, in a country
| where our thoughts were free, was to DC expected
and desired But when once the spirit OF party
was permitted to prepondcrate the love of coun-
try and poison ali the relations Of social life, perma-
neut and ncaculable mischief must result. lie GER
tainly had returned with 10 disposition to enter the
arena of political strife, mch less such one as that
which he understood had existed for the last or
yeurs Ii was greatly to Ice hoped that the time was
approaching, if il had not arrived, when such state oil
things would cease, and the honor OF the country
and our sakes, social intercourse would be cha
racerzed by ibesl spirit, regardless of politi
cal creeds and differences Of opinion This days pro-
ceedinps, Mr. S. hattercd himself, was favorable
omen and the evidence OF better and more generous
spirit having already been commenced. He could say
with all his heart, God speed lis success!
The station which occupied among the nations oil
the earth was one Mr.. S. sad of exalted character
Entrusted with the destnSes Of this solitary Republic Of
the world it might be Justly regarded the safest and
best depository of freedom and free Government. II
was our duty take that it received Jury
rem.
Mr. S. concluded by expressing again his grateful ac
acknowledgements for the kindness with which he had
been received by his elIow-ctizens present, and his
cordial and best wishes for their individual health, hap
piness and prosperity.
(Mr S. then sat down amid great and long contn-
ued cheering)
BY Mr. Stevenson. Virginia: old and venera-
ted mother Wisdom TO her cnuncis,-decision to her
actions,- prosperity and success 10 all her ends.
T. England! We venera,e The memory of her pa
| trots-we admire many of her institutions. BY re-
speeding rights, she will give the only security for
the continuance of our friendship
| [Air-Oid Lang Sy,e.
8. France! The ally of America in the Revolution.
We have not forgotten gratitude. May she find in
happiness, prosperity, and success, the nobest re-
ward of her services. fAir-.uarseaies Hymn.
| Mr. Moisson in reply 10 the compliment paid TO
France, said
Permit me, gentlemen, to thank you most cordially
for the compliment paid 10 my country.
Permit me 10 offer you, in return, the following
toast:
! Union forever between America and France! Per-
petual friendship between Frenchmcn and Americans
9. Our Foreign Relations; We wake not the unhoy
song of war! but invoke with all commerce Of good
words, good works, and enduring peace.
[Air--Proudiu and ride mig banner flies.
TO- Educa,ion The daughter Of civilization, the
mother of science,he patron Of morality,,he nurse
of freedom. Her fayors must be they are too
precious to be given [Ar-RoyS Wife.
II. Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactures. The
bountiful sources of our susenance and wealth Let
not one be burhened for the encouragement ofanoher
[Air-.7meriea, Commerce and Freedom.
~. The Army and Navy.
:; AIR Yankee Doodle.
10. Woman! From whose happy smile we catch
light, life and rapture
TAir-Nmc haste 10 Tic Weddiag.
By the Committee on casts John Rutherford,
Lieut. Governor Of VirgiRd man "of high erected