The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-10


the plains Of Pcardy in France. There were on
that occasion the English forces few in numbers,
fatigued by marching, enfeebled by Sickness ana
surrounded by great and gallant army so conn
dent in victory, that its Chief previous 10 giving e
signal for the onset, sent herald TO the English
leader To bargain for his ransom. That leaders,
answer had been thus given:
" Go tell your master here am,
NV ransom is this frail and worthless trunk;
NV army but a weak and sicky guard;
But God before Tell him we will come on
and on went King Henry and his gallant band, and
off went, though not without hight, the Wanting
enemy i was rea' vac, vle,0ry, ana Non on ~.
battle in valley in Mexico; and this time the de-
scendants of those who had fought and conquered
four centuries previous, their ancestors had
been on the occasion alluded to, few in numbers,
fatgued by marching, enfeebled by sickness, and
encompassed by foes who, like the confident and
over -lusty French" felt sure of success in the
approaching contest, that their commander sent to
render at discretion Did gentlemen remember
the answer that was returned to this summons!
They ought to do 1t would live in their history.
If he (Sir II. Bulwer) remembered rightly, il ran
thus: ssHead- quarters Buena Vista, Feb. p.
Sir: In reply to your note of this date, summoning
to surrender my forces at discretion beg leave
to say decline accedng to your request. am,
sir, with the greatest respect, your obedient ser,
want, Zachary Taylor"
This was not poetry, but it was stout and ster
ling old Anglo-Saxon prose; and IL was followed up
in an Anglo Saxon manner Again there a
great victory, not this time on the day OF 81 Girls
pin, but on the birthday of Washington. But did
not the old battle of Agincourt resemble the modern
battle Of Buena Vista! Might not they, who were
proud Of their fathers having been at one, be as
proud that they themselves had been at the other?
He said yes; and many were the gentlemen who
had slept quietly in their beds at Baltimore, on the
night OF the 22d of February, who would at that
moment give half their fortunes to have passed it
by the side of the gallant veteran who then at
the head Of the American camp, and who now pre-
sided over Americas counsels.
He should resist the temptation to pursue sub
ject which, Notwithstanding, would give him the
opportunity OF speaking OF many friends OF his, dis
tingushed in letters and arms. But this much he
would say, that success In letters or arms add
ing to the union of the people of the United States,
could be a matter OF indifference to the English
people; and he could not but hope that, as England
would always feel an interest in all that added glo-
ry to the history of America, that America would
feel interest in all that justly added to the his
toricai glory OF England or this he was sure that
if it should prove eternally true, that time first
reaped unto destruction those whom age and honor
first ripened into maturity, if the beautiful idea Of
the great father of poetry should ever become APP
plcable to their common ancestral land
Like leaves on trees the race of man is found
Now green in youth, now whitening in the ground;
Thus generate in their turn decay;
So flourish these-when those are past away"
If the arsenals which then joyous with the
busy hum of mariners should long be silent and
shipless; if the warehouses which were then replete
with the countless wealth of merchants should Ion q
be empty and decayed; if the proud march of Eng
land should ever cease to be upon the noun tain
waves, and the meteor flag which for thousand
years had brayed the battle and the breeze become
but the winding sheet OF past renown; Oft then
would the historical muse of America quit the
broad rivers of those grander regions for the silent
banks Of the deserted Thames, there to ponder
the tombs, and draw inspiration from the memories
of the once great in war; in politics, in eloquence
and song whose blood circulated throug h the veins
of those who heard him, and whose genius attended
them in the cabinet, the council chamber, and the
field. But these were gloomy and idle thoughts.
which he had only introduced because he knew
that men rarely discovered how much they loved
friend until they contemplated the possibility Of
losing him.
A brighter and more real picture offered to his
eye. The glorious spectacle of two great States,
both powerful and fourishing, the one in the prime
of youth, the other in the vigor of manhood. Two
States the same in origin, In language, and above
all in character; standing side by side, hand in
hand, in the van of all mankind; the first whereon
true glory was to be gained justice and mercy to
be indicated commerce, civilization, and reli-
gion to be spread. The past hallowed their union;
the future smiled on it, and Heaven could not but
bless it-for it the union of family, and had for
its object the benefit Of the world.
Upon Sin HENRy BuLwER' IS taking his seat, which
he did amidst prolonged cheering, and with which
he had been frequently interrupted during his ad-
dress TO the company, Mr.. CHARLES f. MAYER
offered the following volunteer sentiment
ENGLAsD AND THE UNITED STATKs-Congenial
In moral and intellectual habiude, in the love of
civil liberty, and in sense of national dignity and
duty-what better bond need We have of our endur-
ing harmony.
Mr.. BARNEY here arose, and, proposing the
health Of Gen. JoHS SPEAR SMITH, observed
We all regret the unavoidable and unex pectcd
absence Of the president of the society, worthy
son of an illustrious sire, whose name and whose
fame historical, a soldier. patriot and states
man, in every page Of the annals Of the republic
but our friend has other than hereditary claims 10
our esteem. His early and persevering devotion to
the prosperity and advancement of the society has
mainly contributed to its elevation To the proud
eminence il has now attained.
II is the attrition Of social intercourse which
brighten. the chain Of human existence, and in
cordance with the usage Of our sister society in
other State, where a GALLATIS has devoted the
closing years of an ilustrous life TO preside its
destinies, We have celebrated our anniversary in
manner which has enabled us to enjoy the presence
and listen the eloquence of the great expounder
of the Constitution, and the distinguished repre-
sentative Of the Queen Of Isles.
At this stage of the evening, Mr.. WEBSTER with
drew, the company expressing their qualification
at his visit with loud applause Mr.. q. Collins
LEE, after some appropriate remarks, offered:
QUEEN vIcToRIA-Admired a sovereign, be-
loved as a woman
Sir HEsRY BuLwER, who concluded his few remarks
Of thanks with the following
Gen. ZACHARY TAYLoR-The gallant soldier the
victor Of Buena Vista; the President Of the United
States
The following by Mr. TaAvEss was received with
hearty applause:
HEsRY CLAy--A Nestor in distracted councils;
Tully in senatorial halls; and Cato in patriotic de-
votion: Niha G, sensf, art DIRT at feeif, nisi pro
patrin.
The President now read letter just received from
the Hon. ROBERT G. wTSrHRoP, in which that gen.
tleman had requested the accompanying toast to be
offered in his name, which, after remarks from
the President, speaking in terms Of high euogy Of
this gentleman and his service in Congress,
read and received with acclamation
THE STATE or MARyLAND-Her capital witnessed
the first concerted movement for the adoption Of
the Federal Constitution; may her sons support and
cherish that Constitution while the blood OF Car
noLL, HARPER, PrSKSEy, or a War shall still
run in their veins.
This toast drew from j. MoRRIsos HAMS, esq. 4,
AZ. I'll