The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-07-10

or the bittcrest excitement of politics-and how.
ever the great exigencics of public life NAV have
forced him at times into action and responsibility
when Others doubted or haltcd-alI his risks wcrc
for his country; all the dangers brayed were i'm
tended to- protect the people aud the pubic saf,,
"Ihat nc should have been intallbc in all this,
none pretend, but that he meant well, and did we'll
in the main, and "a a whole. performed noble ser.
vice TO his country, none can DENY II to err &c
human, then, if tie light of the itself be not
without some shades iutermiuglcd-can We taking
him all an all be otherwise than proud of his rank
| as man, soldier, aud Statesman Whether on
the Thames or the Gonges-under the tent of the
Arab or in marble palaces, it is distinction 10 be
known as one of his countrymen. Compared with
the renowned of other ages, and other continents
all America may justly boast of him us a produc'
lon credltable to the new world Humanity itself
becomes dlgnihed when man lives up to- the heigbt
OF his powers and his destiny. Though some have
regarded nun only as a meteor in our horizon, yet
so far from that, he will live a fixed star in his
tory-one of the master minds of the ape careful
ly formed and practical in his efforts worthy The
pages oil future Piutarchs for many generations to
come. The justice of this conclusion will strike us
forcibly if notice the contrast-between his
course and that of many inscribed high on the rolls
OF past ages; his whole life devoted to defend the
liberties OF his country, rather than like others To
break them down. the passion of his heart TO uphold
rather than overturn Its constitution and laws
tiehos afu power risked to preserve unimpaired
the sacred tics of its union the sceptre of State re-
nquished and like the humblcst citizen retiring Ia
his farm, instead of striving like many to usirn
authority, or proong the pomp and pageantry Of
''ln fine, he neither enriched himself by plunder
or peculatlon, nor cngrossed office for his family
nor waSed a moments war for ambition or con-
qucst-nor exercised single new power, nor be-
uayed to an enemy old one, nor filled station an
hour but from the will of the people, or in confor
nifty to the charter OF their Liberties. What to
such a man, In sterling worth, the Caesars and
Napoleons and Santa Annas of history? and what
is the value of their bad example, contrasted with
the hdety and patriotism of his to guide the youth
oil all coming ages in the cause of public liberty
and public virtue? How admirably were his Quail
tiles suited to render him fit statesman for the
stormy and responsible dangers of a Repubhc and
now the instinct of our people detected and appre.
clated and honored such qualities, while living
and lament them when departed Who can saw
that such man was not raised up by kind Proyi.
dcnne Tor our national security in peace, 20 less
than war? and while a nation bedews with tears
the green turf where he sleeps, it is not sorrow
without hope; for who doubt that the same
guardian power which has shielded us heretofore
through the Washingtons and Jacksons the Jeffer.
sons and Franklins, that crowd the bright galaxy
CT our history, will raise up worthless and train
them suitably to meet every peril, which may me-
mace
Whatever may be the combinations of rival
thrones abroad, or whatever the jealousy and injus-
tlce sometimes excited at home against those who
are true to the cause of popular rights and free gov
ernments as opposed TO despotism and Tnonopohes
ana arbitrary dominion of all kinds--the past is
full OF hope for the future, and inspires the same
confidence concerning the salvation of the Repub-
tic, as was felt by him to his own in the shades
OF the Hermitage, when his purified spirit babe his
I''J =, -. 10 i",' "i0wcl: III tuaC sOIeHln bour
when all his trophies were laid at the foot of the
Cross, how joyful. even more, was such a close to
the great drama of his existence on earth Hal
lowed by what lofty consultations? Animated bv
what near reunions to all he had loved most in
life? Sustained by what trusts on high? Grateful
to what millions, for what confidence and honors
below 4? Chcered by what prospects of enlarged
ana enlarging. greatness to the country that gave
him birth, and glory, and rest to his ashes ? His
last words were said to have been
"'I have finished my destiny on earth-and it is
DetJer, tDdt TINS worn out frame should N
and my spirit take up its abode with my Redeemer'
If a good close of life be its browning excellence
his was most fortunate that has fallen to the lot of
be cherished by an admiring world and long very
long may it live in the hearts of his countrymen
and shed genial influence over their character
and institutions. Age and youth, in grateful
his tomb-recount his patriotism and glories with
fearful eyes-venerate his virtues and grow wiser
and better by the sauary lesson his life inculcates