The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-14

II Ill r M A DISONIA N.
PRICE or ADVERTISING.

[The following able notice Of the late Auor-
ney General of the U. S., is taken from the
Southern Literary Messenger, and has been at
tributed (and we think truly) to the pen oil the
Hon. Am. G. RIvEs, Of Virginia
HUGH S. LEGARE,
LATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
To The Editor of the Souilss, Literary Messenger:
observe. with sincere satisfaction in the last
Der OF the Messenger that you invite FOR It's columns
fitting notice of the character Of the distinguished
man. whose recent loss, under circumstances alike
imposing and affecting, the nation has been called to
depore 1t is homage most appropriately due from
the patriotic literature of the country to the memory
Of one, who, always Jealous worshipper at It's
shrine has done SO much to assert its dignity and IL
ustrate its usefulness in connection with the highest
pursuits of social and active life The theme de-
mands pen, which has other qualifications than
those which an ardent and devoted friendship alone
supply, to do justice to it in all the breadth and
elevation of its moral dignity and grandeur But
there some reflections growing out OF the recent
death of ii. S. Legare and the national mourning
which has followed it, that untutored hand,
under the instructive guidance of the heart may be
excused for attempting to present
The first observation, which to the mind IN
contemplating this amented event, is one which, out
of the very depth Of the public atfction it has
stoned, brings forth solid encouragement to every
sincere and hone patriot, and is full of instructive
lessons to the generous and aspiring youth of the coun
try. All must have remarked, and many not without
surprise the loud and universal acclaim OF mingled
sorrow and praise which follow ed to the tomb one
whose habits and tastes, through life, cherished the
privacy of stud ous retirement-who, lar from court
ing, Stunned The pubic gaze, except when an imPe-
rous sense Of duty brought him before it-who ne
yer cultivated popularity, however he esteemed IT,
when the reward Of virtuous actions-and who, from
his Utmost heart despses IN his lofty and burning
eloquence, he won't TO brand, the unworthy
arts of the demagogue. The man thus honored aud
lamented in his death was neither The favorlte nor te
nursing Of party. He had, indeed gravciy offended
the spirit of party, than OCCASION by the
independence and the conscientious integrity with
which he pursued the convictions of his own juds-
ment where he believed the interests OF his country
at stake. AS consequence of this inteXibility oil
principle as well Of bis retiring and unobtrusive
personal habits his career, while living, had not been
attended, in degree corresponding to his rare en-
dowments, with all those external evidences OF public
consideration which his friends, who in the unre-
served ireedo OF private intercourse had been abe
to sound the depths Of his genius and resources well
knew he merited. Such, however, IS the winning
powr of virtue and talents when separated from
the ordinary accessories Of party popularity, that
he was daily though silently, growing in the sober
esteem and confidence Of the country; and when,
at length the hand of death arrested him IN the
noble path of his usefulness, the nat onal appreca-
ton OF him, which had been lying comparatively
dormant, though all the while warming the hearts
of generous and enlightened people, suddenly burst
forth in one general symphony of lamenation and
exalted praise.
Let all who engage in the service Of their country,
with elevated views and conscious powers OF useiul-
ness take courage from this example. Sooner or
later, the reward of public appreciation and graft
tude will infabiy crown every career, which rests
its solid and impershable titles on the pursuit OF no
bic means" Let no feversh anxiety, for a spurious
and fleeing notorety, lead the asPlrant Tor pubic es
TEEN To put his trust in specous arts superficial al
tainments, accommodating suppeness, as avaia-
bic substitutes for that aborlous aud vigorous tam
ing and application of the faculties, moral and intel
lectuaI, by which only genuine and enduring popu
larIty be Let him equip himself for the
stern conflicts Of public duty from the armory OF
knowledge and virtue, where only weapons OF III,
true temper for such warfare are TO he found, and
not go forth TO battle in the mimic accou,rements o.
the toy shop. Let him not indulge undue solici
tude to obtain popularity. Let his ann rather be &c
dese,pe 1t, Let him exhibit in superior knowledg,
and acqurcments--in the ligent and untIring cult
yatIon of all the capacities of high public useful
ness-in noble and elevated principles OF action, Tho
authentic credentials OF his mission to serve hs coun
try and his try viii, in time, call for and honor
him, or, if she does not, the loss will be hers, no
his.
The example addresses itself, with equal emphasis
to tie gifted yoHth of the country who have not ye
entered on the arena Of active exeIton, but who arr
looking forward, with generous aspirations, from Tn
silence and discipline of their academic retreats, t.
the part they hereafter to act upon the busy stag
of HE. The Responding sentmeDtality OF the poeti
muse rather the dangerous sophstry Of that in'
p7oba siren d. sidia, the natural Incidence Of man,
not unfrequenty invoked to discourage manly an
ambition, 10y portrdyng, in funeral colors
the ultimate vanity and ifuitlessness of oil huma
pursuits We sometimes asked, in the misaI
piled language Of unreasoning elegy, why "scorn de
lights and live laborous days." in the vain pursuit G
fame seeing that,
tLe fai ,ui,p uph In find
And think to burst out into sudden blaze,
Comes the blind Fury with abhorred shears,
And Sits the thn-spun life"
But the only fame, which true ambition is caps
BILE Of coveting is which 'the abhorred shears c
the blind Fury have no power 10 destroy. II SUI
wives the stroke of Fate, and hourishes beyond TIA
grave 1t is that quarantine plant which, the sam
immortal poet tells US elves and spreads aloit'
Heaven, and is but its anticipated judgment on tn
deeds of men. 1t is that fame which alone Legai
sought, and which he achieved-wlth what glorlou
and enviabe success let the according praises an
regrets OF whole nation testify. What other fam
is worthy TO engage for moment, the concern OF
being whose life on earth, when longest is limited
a span To live in the hearts and memory of on
countrymen, when we ourselves shall have passe
from among them, Isl on the other hand an object
harmony with the highest aspirations Of the huma
soul and fitted to elicit the noblest faculties of on
nature. In the distinguished and now haiowed exam
ple before us let the enlightened and patriotic youn
men Of America read, for their encouragement, ami
the daily and nightly tolls Of their probationary dis
cipline the pledge of their own high desunles, II,
the same means, they shall devote themselves to tn
same noble ends.
The extraordinary powers and varied attainment
Of the late Attorney General were the product {
early and incessant culture and o. untlrmg lndustI
and labor. How else could such rare excellence,
so many different departments Of human talent ar
knowledge, have been acquired for he was prtm
inter pares IN ala finished scholar, consumma
orator, profound lawyer an able and accompllsh'
statesman. No felicity of genius, however grea
no iecundity of nature, however tceming, could a
count for such intellectual riches without the ere
tive energies of constant and unwoarled diligenc
for it is truth, as applicable to the philosophy
mind as to the science of political economy, that
Dor il the true and only source of either mental,