The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-15

!
and art, and the sure guide to our progress in
the accomplishment OF great and magnificent
destiny.
Feeling, as know all around this table do, the
depth and value Of this sentiment. offer you the
first toast which has been prepared for your accept
al. The Union-A great pyramid of Freedom
II catches the first rays Of the Atlantic sum- and re-
fleets the Last from the Pacific. May the affections
that cluster around it's base be true, lasting
and bright the blessed light which falls upon
it from heaven"
This having been received and drunk with ac-
clamation, the President then proposed the second
toast which was received with the same fervor:
SAP. The President of the United Sfates-The
symbol Of the wisdom, unity and power of peo-
Pile who, in preserving these, secure to themselves
a destiny unmatched in human history.
"3. The State Of Maryland-The centre of the
Old Thirteen. May the memories of her past and
the wisdom Of her future ever make her central in
the affections Of their descendants.
-. George Caioert-The Founder of our Com
monwealth: name rendered illustrious in the
New World by its early and intrepid emancipation
from the bigotres of the DID,
The regular toasts having been disposed Of
timent, which was received by long and loud
clamation
q Sir Henry Lytton Buitru-His intercourse with
our country is guided by wise conviction that the
true policy Of great nations ia to cultivate mutual
respect and esteem, and that the foundations of
durable peace most securely laid in those
tesies, public and private, which spring from an
enlightened and friendly estimate OF the manners
of EACH
This toast was preceded by the following appro-
pirate remarks by Mr.. Lee
Ma PREsIDEsT: perform a most agreeable duty
in proposing to the society the name and health Of
a gentleman and scholar, who has illustrated by
his services statesman and diplomatist, and
adorned with his pen, writer, the political and
literary annals Of his country-a country endeared
to us by common heritage and language, and
49,. - - xbA 81 ..,,ll, 49,
There is, sir eminent fitness in the Historical So
ciety of Maryland, whose anniversary we ceie-
brate in recurring with admiration to the history
of English laws and civilization in the presence Of
her distinguished ambassador-for these the
fountains from which our free American States
(and Maryland among the frst) drew the great
principles of civil polty, which, under a republi
can form of government, now lie at the foundation
of our institutions. The ancestors Of Washington
and Franklin were English patriots; and SO long
we, their descendants, shall have the spirit to DO
free and the Uiyfue to be Just, sympathies and
affection for England and her sisters, Scotland and
Ireand-the ancient and glorious mothers Of these
free American Stntes-will, trust, strengthen, in
crease, and extend far as the empire Of the for
and the republican march of the latter; even
from the shores of India to the submits of the
Rocky mountains.
And shall we not confidently hope that their
union and friendship may be as enduring and
bright as the fame Of Shakespeare and the immortal
Washington!
Our great Magma Charta declared that eve hold
her we held the rest Of manknd-cnemies in
war. in peace friends" But since that august De-
claration of Independence have, with one excep-
ton, been united with our English brethren in pro-
noting peace, civilization, and freedom. That cx-
ception, sir, tended only to brighten swords
from the rust that had gathered on them; for, when
Greek met Greek, then indeed came the tug of
war;" and it closed, after deeds of valor and en-
prize on both sides, in peace which occasions like
these indicate will be permanent and unbroken.
My word for it, Mr.. President, if ever hereafter
the great battle of civil liberty is to be fought and
the rights Of man INDICATED for the last time, in
that struggle, sir. gland, Scotland Ireland, and
America-the Lion, the Thistle, the Shamrock, and
the Eagle of Victory-will be found together under
one common and glorious banner. inscribed with
the motto Of our own great statesman, CLINTON and
Liberty, nOtc and forever one and tnsepdrdble."
But, sir, before offering the sentiment you al
ready anticipate, allow me to congratulate the
ciety in having at their festive board tonight
gentleman and poet who is treicome to euery heart
which can respond to truth and feeling; for the
pure and touching morality of his writings have
indeed fallen like the "gentle dew from Heaven,
blessing him that gives and those who do receiver
and by his side sits youthful representative of the
gifted brother Of the honored guest of the evening,
who will return, am sure, to his own country
and tell his llustrious father that, with all our
faults, we sincere in the admiration of genius
and worth, whatever cline may claim them; and
that we reciprocate the kind feelings which that
great scholar offered us in his preface to Eugene
Aram," one of the " most thrilling" and beautiful
Of his productions when in sending it to shores
he said sc God bless you, dear American readers,
whom in all likelihood shall never behold, but be-
tween you and myself thore is a certain mystic
and kindred union which endears to each other
cannot, sir, close these remarks without also
congratulating you on the presence Of worthy son
of South Carolina, man Of the Union, who, what
ever may be the course Of his erriDg State, will,
am convinced, assure us that the Union of these
glorious States is in no danger from the thunders
or the ligh.nings Of South Carolina. Mono, sir;
that Union whose arch, springing from the rock of
the Revolution, now terminates its glorious curve
the shores Of the Pacific, will survive to US and
our children through all time. Applause.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Lees remarks, and
upon the drinking Of the toast, when the cheering
had subeided, Sir Henry and addressed the
company in lively and spirited reply, which oc-
cupied nearly three quarters of an hour and which
it is impossible accurately to report. What could
be retained oft, however, we have endeavored to
give in the following sketch:
GENTLEMEN: Notwithstanding the pleasure
which feel in meeting you again. and the in
f1uence of the gay countenances which surround
me, confess to you that one sorrowful sentiment
has at this moment the first place in my heart.
Since we last met the brave and gallant spirit
Of that soldier who then ruled the destnies of
this Republic, md to whose high achievements
had then the opportunity of paying casual tribute
Of respect, has passed from us to that land where
there is no honor TO the victor, no humiliation to
the vanquisbed Sad and sudden, gentlemen, was
that event; but even whilst following the remains
OF the honest hearted Taylor to the grave,
could not see without admiration the quiet and
decorous manner in which the reins of gov
eminent passed throughout this extended en-
pire from the hands Of the great warrior 70
those Of the peaceful ma gistrate. [Cheers Nor
have l marked without interest how a prudent
citizen, arriving so suddenly and unexpectedly at
power Of which monarchs might be proud, at once
displayed the sagacity and the capacity of great
Iuier-calling to his councils the wise men Of the
land, Icheers,] and adopting that policy which he
thought best calculated-ina crisis big with the fate
Of empire--to assuage the passions Of conflicting
parties, and to bring them to that gr )und of COM
promise, on which j agree with preceding speakers,
it is always polite when possible to arrange calmly
and amicably the worldly differences of mankind.
Loud applause.l And ifthcse things, gentlemen
are creditabie to an individual they not credita-
BILE also to the institutions of the State which he be-
longs? [Ycs.l You say, yes. repeat, most assu-
rediy, yes! And now speak of them because it APP
pears to me that cannot better testify that de-
serve, in some degree, the regard and kindness
with which you and your countrymen have hon.
ored me, than by showing that | appreciate the
qualities of the statesmen that govern you, and
the institutions under which you live. ZAP
Plause] Oh, gentlemen. am proud. you
know IT. / don't dia0uise IL of Ct (.eor