Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-09-08

IN srcccl, delivered before the Phi Beta Knprn
Society of Bowdon College. Maine, the Rev Dir.
VIM. b. Spraguc gives his thoughts ON The Per-
pciuify of Intellectual Influence From thi. splca-
did and classical production inke pleasure in
making the following cxir,ct:--
III were 10 select from, the whnl. intcIlrctusi
mobility Of the rrcscm day whose influence,
pcciuy stntcsnsn, furnishes apt IN illustrs-
tion "f my subiect any other. should have no
sion look beyond New England; and the nan,e
to which refer, has already become 90 much a
houscho'd word that necessity hardly requires tlist
should pronounce il, That illastrious man, near
Is half century ogo hnrd work at n neigh
boring cecgciD tho cultivation Of his intellect, and
he has been hard work almost ever SINCE for the
welfare Of bis country. speak not Of the distinc-
1.-Two hue oi his political opinions of any pnrfcu-
lar position ic may nj any time have assumed; bMs
overlooking all party distinctions spsnk of him
earnest. honest, fnr-.ccing patriot; Of wis.
dom and oi might; great truly ia rcporc AZ
IN netion ia thoughtful moderation in reeistlesS
power. homer him fl to be a balance wheel In
political mechanism. which shall give To- each
md every part of IT, stcndy safe ond effective oJ.
Grafton. honor him one who has morc than
shoan hi nscf able TO stand up in serene gras-
dcur amidst warning elements mud 10 make bis voice
heard above the loudcst swell u the Storm declaring
for his country. his whole country, forever. hon.
or him who Inns given additional vnlnc IN tho
privilege of being an American, aud whose namc we
have to repeat, to rcbuf mbny Of the pafry cnum-
pics Of other nations There have been periods IN
history, when all parties have united in a tribute
Of homage To his public character; and even when
he la. appeared the of political conflict,
and mingled in the hottest ofthe Gght he has newer
stood in much equivocai attitude, IN respect
either to dignity ntegrt J; md his very ndycrss-
ries have felt constrained To do him honor. His
vocation has been TINT Of statesman; and there liA
Influence and his honors have chiefly ccntcrcd; snd
yet he has occasionally brought an offering to the
| cause Of literature. which Inns given him q place
among her most renowned bcnefaetors. 1hs
productions Of his pen, distinguished alike b,
chaste simplicity and rugged may fairly chsl
lengc comparison with the elias productions
Of antiquity. His thoughts like n chain of die
| nlonds, and his style like crystal stream. Even
| Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill hsve been iHves
| ted with new attractions by the power of his clo.
qnence; aud long the stands witness 70.
religious freedom, and the other witness for CIV"
freedom, each will be witness also to the 'rs!ss'y
Of his intellect. Yes, he will live ON through ~
coming time: will live continually brighter ~"
stronger aud more widely diused life. ana n ~"
State where he born and nurtured or ''e o'-.1
| in which mos. of his public life has DoeI -.
should attempt to moncpoine: ~. ..s....
| or hereafter to build his monu'nens' ~ cOuss,y
would cry ont that he belonged q ner' ne W~ad
would cry out that he belonged :" osr a"d tnesc y
nivcrsal claims would be eenoes' s''u 'ce1'''' ~
each passing generation