The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-09-12

HUGH S. LEGAR-E,
LATE ATTORNEY GENERAL or TnE UNITED STATES.
To the Editor Of The Southern Literary Messenger
observe, with sincere satisfaction in the last mum
Der of the Messenger that you invite for lis 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
deplore. II Is homage most appropriately due from
the patriotic Literature OF the country TO the memory
of one, who, always jealous worshipper at its
shrine, has done so much TO assert its dignity aud IL
ustrae lis usefulness IN connection with the highest
pursuits Of social aud 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 il in all the breadth and
elevation OF ITS moral dignity and grandeur But
there are some reflections, growing out OF the recent
death of II S. Legare aud the national mourning
which has followed II, that even untutored hand,
under the instructive guidance of the heart may be
excused for attempting 10 present
The first observation, which occurs to the mind IN
contemplating this lamenied event, is which, out
of the very depth Of The public atlclion it has
stoned, brings forth solid encouragement TO every
sincere and hont 81 patriot and full Of instructive
lessons to the generous and aspiring youth of the coun
my. All must have remarked, and many not without
surprise, the loud and universal acclaim OF mingled
sorrow and praise which follow ed 10 the tomb one,
whose habits aud tastes through life, cherished the
privacy OF siudious retlrement--who far from court
ing, stunned the public gaze, except when an impc
rlous sense OF duty brought hun before it--who ne
yer cultivated popularity, however he esteemed IT,
when the reward of virtuous aotons--and who, from
his Utmost heart despises, as in his lofty and burning
eloquence, he was ever wont 10 brand, The orthy
arts OF the demagogue. The man thus honorCd aud
amented IN his death was neither the fayore, nor the
nursing OF party. He had indeed, grayely offended
the spirit of party, than occasion, by the
independence aud the conscientious integrity with
which he pursued the convictions of bis own juds-
ment where he believed the interests of his country
al stake AS consequence of this inileXibty OF
principle aS well as OF his retiring and unobruslye
personal habits, his career, while living had not been
attended, IN degree corresponding 10 his rare en-
dowments, with all those external evidences Of public
consideration, which his friends who, in The unre-
served frcedo OF private intercourse, had been able
TO sound the depths of his genius and resources well
knew he merited. Such, however, is the winning
pow' 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 national 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 lamentation and
exalted praise.
Let all who engage in the service Of their country,
with elevated views and conscious powers Of useful
ness, take courage from this example. Sooner or
later, the reward Of public appreciation and graft
tude VIII hiallibiy every career which rests
lis solid and n'perlshabe titles 'the pursuit Of no.
BILE means" Let no feveriSh anxiety, for a spurious
aud leetng notorley, lead the asprant for public
TEEN TO put his trust in speclous arts superficial at
tlinments, or accommodating suppleness ayaila-
bic substitutes for that labouous aud vigorous tam
ing and application Of the faculties, moral aud intel
lecIual, by which only genuine and enduring popu-
larlty can be won Let him equip himself for the
stern conflicts Of public duty from the armory Of
knowledge and virtue, where only weapons CT the
true temper for such warfare are TO be found and
mol go loith 10 battle IN the mimic accourcmcnts Of
the toy shop. Let him not indulge an undue sollci.
tude TO obtain popularity. Let hs aim rather be 10
deSrpe IT, Let him exhibit in superior knowledge
and acqulremenis-in the d.ligent and untlrng cult
WALTON oil all the capacities of high public useful
ness-ln noble and elevated principles of action, the
authentic credentials OF his mission to serve his
Try and hIs country will in time, call for and honor
hm, or, II she does not, the loss will be hers, not
his.
The example addresses itself with equal emphasis,
to the gifted yOath of the country who have not yet
ent'red on the arena Of active eXerlon but who
looking forward, with generous aspirations, from the
silence and discipline of their academic retreats 10
the part they are hereafter TO act upon the busy stage
OF life. The dcsponding seutmentaiy Of the poetic
muse, or rather the dangerous sophisty of that i-
proba siren dsida, the natural Incidence of man, is
not untrcqucntly invoked 10 discourage manly and
strenuous ambition by potrayinc in funeral coloTs,
the ultimate vanity and iruitessnc,s Of all human
pursuits. We are sometimes asked, IN the mi,ap-
piled language Of mreasoning clcgy, why "scorn dc,
lights and i've laborous days, IN tn vain pursuit ~
fame seeing that
"the fair gucrdon, when we hope TO fad.
Aud think to burst cut into sudden blaze,
Comes the blind Fury with abhorr,d shears
And sits The thin-spun life"
But tho only fame, which true ambition is capa-
BILE of coyetng Is one which "the abhorred shears OF
the blind Fury have no power to destroy. II sur.
wives the stroke of Fate and lourlshos beyond the
grave. II Is that quarantine plant which, the same
immortal poet tells us olives and spreads auf" 10
Heaven, and IS but It's anticipated Judgment on The
deeds Of men. IL is that fame which alone Icgarc
sought, and which he achieyed-wilh what GLORIOUS
and enyobe success, LET the according praises aud
regrets OF whole nation testify What other fame
Is worthy 10 engage, for a moment tic concern Of
being, whose life on ,afth when longest is limited 10
/ span! To 1--we IN the hearts and memory of our
cOuntrymon, when we ourselves shall have passed
from among them, ., the other hand an object in
harmony with the highest aspirations Of the human
SOUL and fitted 10 elicit the noblest faculties of our
nature. In the distinguished and now hallowed exam
pie before us, let the enlightened patriotic Young
men Of America read, for their encouragement amid
The daily and nightly tolls Of their probationary dis
epne, the pledge Of their own high dcstipcs if by
The same means, they shall devote themselves TO the
same noble ends.
! The extraordinary powers and varied atiainments
/ OF the late Attorney General were the product OF
early and incessant culture, and untiring industry
and labor. How else could such rare excellence in
so many different departments Of human talent and
ledge, have been acquired for he was tyf,,,s
inter paTes IN ala finished scholar a consunnate
orator, profound lawyer, an able and accomplished
statesman. No felicity Of genius, however great,
no iecundiiy OF nature, however teeming could ac-
count for such intellectual riches, without the crea-
tive energies OF constant and unwearied diligence
flr Il Is a truth, as applicable TO the philosophy of
mind as to The science of political economy that Ia.
Dor Is the true aud only source of either mental or
material wealth Nopaltry vanity OF natural cndow
ment' ever prevented MIR. Legare from bearing ear
nest and instructive testimony, in his discourse as he
exemplhed 50 sirkingy N has practice the truth and
value Of this grand aeanug of all sound supcfiority
and success.
! Having eninYcl In CARLY rnaih lie nA,,rt...o. 81