The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1851-03-12

his personal weight Of character and
his individual influence carry the eosn-
try through the severest trialsf In
that memorable instance, especially,
when the minds Of the people were en-
bittered on the one hand by the deten-
tion of the western posts. and the In
reference Of the British cruisers with
our neutral trade. and when, on the
other hand. We were drawn verystrsng-
ly towards France by the contagion of
political reform. and the grateful re-
membrance Of valuable services in the
revolutionary war. the influence Of
Washington was able TO subdue the
sensibilities Of the people to the mea-
sure Of . just policy. and restrain them
from rushing into those wars Of the
French revolution which wasted the
strength and shook the stability Of Eu-
rope for more than thirty years.
Now. gentlemen, what | would ear
nestly ask 10 this: Must all this nigh
~ influence Of the character. and prin-
ciples, and memory Of Washington
must they all be buried in his tomb ,
voices-never. never.l Is all that
he was to us, and to mankind-all his
political wisdom. his experience. his
unsupported dixinterestedness-all, in
short. that made him TO be Washington,
in distinction from the multitude Of
meritorious citizens Of earlier or later
days-is all this to be consigned to
oblivion, in that dark and narrow house
on the banks Of the Potomac rCries
Of No. no." frsm all parts Of the
room. Nos Heaven forbid! II is the
great prerogative Of our rational nature
that mind and its influences can never
die and unless we are cold and dead i.
we shall listen TO the voice which
speaks to Us through his immortal ad-
dress with deeper reverence even, IL
possible, than that with which we
should listen to his living counsels.
That address was The most carefully pre-.
pared produr. Of mind from which nolh-
ing crude or i'll considered ever went forth
-ihs msluresi result uf his lifelong ex.
perienee. A. The close. ss he believed,
Of his political and military career. having
fought through two great wars. one o
which ended in establishing the indepen
siencs ofhis country. having in posts ofhigt
responsibility assisted in bringing about
two organic changes Of govemmeni--hav
ing been iwics unanimously called to lhs
Chief MaRisiiacy, and about 10 wilhdras '
from Office ior the last time. and. as hs
thought, Tor ever. into that belossd retire.
nieni. az he rallsd il, which he so earnest
ly coveied-he gave to The people Of ,h,
United States the last eounsels. IS he call,
them. IN language can never repea, with
out emoiion-. Of an old aud aaectiona,,
FRIEND" You have read il ,housans
times. You place il in lhs hands o
your ch'l,lren-you appreciate, as yo,
ought, those last words of wisdom an,
love. which gushed from that noble hear
but few years before il ceased 10 bea
forever.
j And what is the Leading advice Of ihi
ever memorable address! l. il moi adhe
renee to The Union! believe. IL i,s pages
were counted. full fourth part Of il woult
be found devoted TO this theme. Tie tell,
Us 10 watch over its preservation with III,
most jealous anxiety. As 10 love ol liber
~. which you might suppose would b,
the principal topic in an andress from on,
~ho had devoted his life to promote i,
there is but single senience--s coupl
Of lines; he just allsdes TO il as an in,lwel
ling sentiment Of the American heart
which needs no recommendation from
him. Az for The preservation of Stat,
rights. which fnrms 20 leading topic il
modern systems Of policy. believe iha
Washington does not Sc much as allud'
TO them. think he does moi name then
. no, iha, he undeivslued State rights. bu
: he knew there was centrifugal len,lpEcie
enough in SO large . body Of States fn
their preservation. No, gentlemen, il i
Uninn. Union, Union--ihe fret, The lasl
the constant strain Of This immortal al
I dress.
I And what could my poor voice add,
} were presumpluous enough 10 a,,emp, l,
; do it. 10 the parting counsels Of Washing
ton! say again, if their influence cease
; to be felt, il 10 no, because Washington
10 dead. bui because we are dead and coll
: buried in the grave Of criminal in,iiffer
encs and apathy-absorbed in The glide,
, cares Of that prosperity which we enjn,
: under the Constitution which he did O
: much to procure for Us; or. wha, 10 worse
, mislsd BY prejudice. by false theories Q
: government, BY imaginary sectional intel
Z ssts, or. still worse, blinded by party. en-
, maddenei BY faction. I agree with Ger
] Foote. that il is time for every man 10 u,
3 ter his vaies in accordance with The par,
I ing voice Of Washington. | know j,
Z said. and by many excellent and patrioli,
Z but. as think. greatly mistaken eiiisen
:, that the Union is NOT seriously threatened
: iha, the alarm 10 fictitious; that The ,laI
8 ger is wholly imaginary. or greatly owe
rated. | wish could think so; hni mu