The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-07-08

THK EXAMPLE OF WAsHINGTON.--ln a recent
dshate in she French Assembly, on the Electoral
lnw Lamafiine made noble speech, in which this
eloquent psaaage occnrs:
8 would wish that the first Government found
ed, IN our country, on universal suffrage might be
faithful TO its origin, and that far from blushing at
this origin, i might not destroy ia the hands Of
those WHO have invested it with power, the right
by whicll alone ltexisis. would wish that The
Government might remain faithful, simply and
scrupuousy faithful to its origin and TO the duties
which have been assigned it, that il mic hit pursue
peacefully, legally, conssiiutonnliy, the career be
Il long or short, which the Constitution has pre-
scTIbed for it. Such would be, in my opinion, the
best remedy for all our agitatons. Iw0ud wish,
that instead Of gazing constantly itself and burning
the eyes of the people at cloudy and consequently
suspicious horizons would wish thai Government,
the majority, the conservative party and the jour
mails which are supported by them, instead of con
lnually fixing their eyes on the 1uilleries, might
Yarn them more frequently to that modest dwelling
of Washington, that Mount Vernon, where the firsI
President OF The American Republic, repealed ~
he oilers Of increase Of power, Of decimaten q
the power Of The people, or Of an illegal prpicHga'
lion Of his own, with which imprndeaf friends,
Ike yo1, Were constantly tempting him ad where,
instead Of pFecarous power he Obtained liberty Tor
whole world and Immortality far his own name
The example Of Washington, here referred 10,
says the Baltimore Pairiat h one 70 be cherished
by his own countrymeus md ran never be forgotten
without danger 10 lhs Repnblic. At this time
especially il comes M to counsel and to warn us.
The personal aRsbion Of man, in all times, has
been sources Of evil 10 governments, and too often
has been the aesuatng principle in efforts even Il
may BE- 10 much to expect Of any one, that self
should be entirely forgotten when distinction is to
BE- gained by patriotic works; but il can never fail
20 Be useful TO impress Oh ALL Ibis great truth, that
self denial is virtue which gives 10 the statesman
-.
tie stfohEeas his brightest renown. 1t Is here that
tbs character Of Washington is seen in its fullest
glory. He saw the danger which would beset his
country, if the powers Of Its Chief Magistrate were
continued too long in the hands Of any one man
He may have felt, in HIMSELF that the posses
sion Of power exciies the disposition TO retain it,
and history isful of example that such temptation
some Of the wises men have been unable 10 resist
La the height Of his popularity his hold on
the affections Of the people was Strongest and when
bis administration Of the government had proven
that he was as admirably flied for civil ruler as
he had shown himself to be for military command
er-sRhen bis power was most confirmed, and least
aisputedeyen thsn he disrobsd himself Of his high
Office, and retired to private liiethe Chief Magis
trate Of a great people became, by his own volun.
laTY act, an humble citizen-the ruler hes became
one Of the ruled
Il is not what he did which now is to be follow.
ed. There is no man who can claim to occupy his
position Ii is the spirit with which he did it, thar
needs nowto be revived. The spirit looks only to
the good Of the country its present is future
prosperity lf the public men OF oliT y---some Of
them, We haoss, are controlled by it-were all
governed b that spirit Of pure patriotism, we should
hear nothing Of Misunderstanding of sectional par.
ties-nothing Of personal triumphs-and the .quea-
tiens which now agiats Congress, and which by
the delay in adjusting them, aggravate the country,
could scarcely have arisen, Or if they had, would
hays long since been settled,