Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-01-21

For the Palladium.
ROBERT FULTON.

ROBERT FULTON.
Y,;, most singular and lamentabe truth that those
Who have the greatest be nefactors of mankind fire.
oueutIy meet with the vies persecution reward for
their abors
Among those who deserve better recompenso than
fev received ROBERT FuiroS, whose memory should
be embamed and preserved by the world with the pures
flowers Of gratitude. Originating the idea, and apply
ing splendid scheme, deserve praise than all the
improvements steam navigation since Fulton triumph
anty landed his first boat at Albany ct this great
lived and died little the world but visionary
iheorst. In his language, speaking of his arrival at
Albany, he says: "Even then, when all seemed to be
achieved, the victim Of disappointment In,agna-
aon suppressed influence of fact 1t then doubt
ed could be done again, DONE il doubted If
il could DO made of any great value But now that the
old gone past receiving rewards in this world we
are lavish in praise of his noble energy
1t a fact that the truly great ais not without
honor but in his own day.
Envy and love Of appreciation, two principal
ses that lead men theorists and discoveries
with neglect
We naturally prone to envy the virtues and
of neghbors and afraid to advocate the truth
the sake Of the truth Hence the first cleaning of
light every exeriion made to overshadow its inu
ence until apparently, by its unceasng energy its
piercing rays are past suppressng.
Proud MASTER thou, of art. methnks see thee now
Tn mat great udy ionS past, yct hcFr W MN
Who fam records on fragile page thy sacred
Memory Methinks l see the stupid,
Gazing, snee ring host surround Thy bark
And thee, to thy bold design, and sink
In dark oblivions soundess pool name
That shines on mem rvs scroll when scornng tongues
Have ceasd! / seem to hear the shrewd remark
or weak conceit, by weakness boarded up,
That shapes its phase to suit the public ear
Tho pending each word mans lasting shame
Awaits. All. could thy scorners but have seen
Thy self same mod'I ark, in time to come,
Achieve such deeds as history cannot tell
OF ancient time and fancies flights too slow
To bear companonshp; could they have seen
Thy bark in oceans widest tempest, borne
Above the mountain wave with conq'ring strength,
That babe the widest storms that the
Defiance, and proudly gain her destined port,
Where myriad tongues rejoicing hail
Her gladstone coming ;-Iiad they but seen fair
Science gaining zeal at her approach, and drink
From tabled mystic streams most sacred TRUTH
And know ledge hidden most, reveal, and arts
Revive that common wisdom never sought
Had they in prospect, seen all this as now
We see what thrilling welcome JOY had hld
Each heaying breast on that bright morn that saw
Thee trim thy bark for daring deeds, and brave
The tide of cold derson's wrecking blast.
Each prospect then had seemed more fair;
Each landscape pass'd had worn a deeper hue;
The warbling woodland songsters' note had hlId
Each grove, and tree and shrub with sweetest
Sounds Of deep enchanting melody. Thy voice
Had been sweet music to their that caught
Half fnish'd " ords with eager haste to hear
Their full import. But thine was made the lot
To reap the mead that all must share who deign
To break the veil Of natures hidden truth
Irecolect of reading oft how men of old
When brave Columbo dar' the unknown deep,
Did treat with scorn his grand exploit and bound
In cursed chains thcy cast the good old man
In dungeons deep, because he dar'd to lind
More land than their purblind eyes
Were used o In short, the wise of
Every age have suilcrd persecution much
For being WISE Socrates the great, and Call
And Gaco, too, and Mcssmcr, all, but iivd
To hear their by word. made
Synony nous with infamy, disgrace, and shame
Our reas ming thus this conclusion rests;
The living great ne er hear the trump of fame,
But after death, its constant blast would RAISE
Their sumb' ring clay! MORTIMER
Jacksonbury, Ia, Jan 40