The Democratic Whig., 1843-10-05

iit interfsfrsd with public duty, indif
terent to popular oblo1uy when il rose
4 from rectitnde of conduct. Lik: the
Roman patriot he wished rather to be
| than appear deserving. Greatness was
forced upon him both in military and
/ political lite. rather because he was
ielt to be the worthiest, than because
he desired to be the first he was the
i architect of his own fortune, but he
became SO almost unconsciously, while
lsolely engrOssed in constructing that
OF his country. He has left undone
many things, as soldier, which might
| have added TO his fame, and done
many things as a statesman, which
were fatal TO his power. but he omit
ted the first because they would
have endangered his country, and
committed the second because he felt
them to be essential to its salvation. 1t
is to the honor of England, and ofhu-
man nature, that such man should
have risen at such time to the rule of
her armies and her councils, but he
experienced, with ThemistocIes and
SciPio Africanus, the mutabIe ten
ure of popular applause, and the base
lngratitude Of those whom he had
served. Having triumphed over the
arms of the threatened tyrant, he vas
equally immovabie in the presence
OF the insane citizens and it is hard to
say whether his greatness appeared
most when he struck down the conque.
ror of Europe on the field of Water
Ion, or was himself with difficulty
rescued from death on its anniversary
eighteen years afterwards, in the
streets of London.
Capable when the occasion required
or opportunity was afforded, of the
most daring enterprises he was yet
cautious and wary in his general con.
duct prodigal of his own person, he
was avaricious only of the blood Of
his soldiers. Endowed by nature
with an indomitabfe soul, constitu-
ton of irOn,he possessed that tenacity
of purpose, and indefatigable activity
which is ever necessary to great ACHE.
vements; prudent in council ,sagacious
in design, he was yet prompt and de-
cided in action. No general ever re-
solved the probable dangers Of an en-
terPrise more anxiously before under
taking it; none possessed in a higher
degree the eagle eye, the arm Of steel
necessary Co carry il into execution.
BY me steady appiicati0nspf fthese rare
qualities, be was enabled TO raise the
British military force from an unwor-
thy state Of depression to an unpara-
lelled pitch of glory to educate in
the presence of the enemy not only
his soldiers in the field, but his rulers
in the cabinet ; to silence, by avoiding
disaster, the clanior of his enemies; to
strengthen by progressive success, the
ascendency of his friends; to augment
bv the exhibition of its results, the en-
ergy of the government to rouse, by
deeds of glory, the enthusiasm Of the
people. SkilfulIy seizing the oppor-
tunity of victory, he studiously avoid
ed the chances Of defeat aware that a
single disaster would at once endanger
his prospects,; discourage his country
men, and strengthen his opponents, he
was content to forego many opportun-
ties of earning fame, and stiffe many /
desires to grasp at glory |; magrani-
nously checking the aspirations of
genius, he trusted for ultimate siccess
rather to perseverance in a wise, than
audacity in daring course. He
hus succeeded, during six successive
with a comparatively in
considerable army, in maintaining his
ground against the vast and veteran
Eorces of Napoleon, in defeating sue
all his marshals, and ba6ing
successfully all his enterpizes, and
inally rousing such an enthusiastic
spirit in fhe British empire as enabled
its government to put forth its inn
mense resources and ancient renown
and terminate 1 contest Of twenty years
BY planning The English standard On
he walls Of Paris. 4