Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-08-22
jean jacques Rousseau.

Among all the philosophers. and encyclo-
pedsts of that age of the age that precededt all
of whom contributed to prepare the mind of the
world for the advent of liberty. there one man
whose profound thoughts had reached every part OF
society and disturbed the whole social fabric. He
prominently the great mental lever OF the age.
You would know this man, and learn what France
what Paris--thinks Of him. Go to the catacombs
of the Pantheon. Are you religious Are you SUI
perstitious You shall see a mirace--more per-
petual, truly miracle, than the liquefaction
of the blood of St. Januarius. You enter the gloomy
abode of death under the magnificent temple that
France has raised to honor the great men of the
country, and where a final resting-place is given
them. In the centre, directly under the dome, by
the aid of the little light which is admitted into this
solemn place you discover two large tombs, conspic
uousy placed. The on the left--whch strikes
you first, for it is decorated with emblemate figures
"A Tyre resting on globe, signifying that the
sic and poetry Of the genius of the great there
inferred is world wide--is tie tomb of Voltaire.
That is not the man. You turn to the right, and
there is plain mOnument-no inscription to tell
you the greatness of its inhabitant-no emblematic
decorations; and yet you know he must be one of
the first of the sons of France He who lies there is
the
say you shall see miracle do not be alarmed
your conductor is not the Pythoness of Endor :;
and, besides, there is great gulf between you and
him. Christians have consigned him to the safe
keeping of Pluto, while the philosophers have exal
ed him to the highest heaven and wherever he is
lie cannot return. Now you approach the tomb to
door slightly opened, and human hand coming
out holding fambeau. This is the mracle--that
the luminous intelligence of one man, though bodily
he exists no more should enlghten and regenerate
the world No inscription needed The light
cd torch expresses more than volumes could. You
have decphered the name--Jean jacques Rousseau
No in the history of the world has exercis-
ed such influence--has produced. and is produ-
cling, such effects say this reverenty: for the
Saviour, the Founder of Christianity, was more thar
Lovers of literature you have known the au
thor of Heloise; but do you know that this same
poor Gencvese apprentice boy is the author of the
''COntrGt S0c,di?1
All the revolutions and progress of liberty, since
towards the end of the eighteenth century have orr
ginated, not superficial observers suppose in &C
cidcntal circumstances, or in incompatible poitca
relations but in the social incOngruties and Unequal
tiles of society. Rousseau showed, in the language
OF simple eloquence these monstrous defects, which
chained the mass of the world in ignorance and DIES
potism, and at which reason and Justice, and hu
manity revolted By the business of his conceptions
and reasoning, and by the charm of his language
he captivated the court itself and like the bird tina
is charmed by the nsdious fascination of the rattle
snake it knew not its perilous situation till the ter
rible power of his advanced disciples strangeC
it in its blood. Equality was longer a opin
iona sentiment that would bring back to Franc
the glory of ancient Greece and Rome as MADAME
Roland, Brissot and the other GirOndists conceived
it was fixed dea--a Worldwide necesSity-an If
radcable creed. 1t had fastened itself in the mine
of the infexible Robespierre it had ruled the Noun
tain and the Mountain shook the world.
Against this idea the allied powers engaged, an,
maintained at the cost of blood and treasur
beyond all computation precedent. How vain t.
fight against the indestructible and impalpabe ele
ments Can gunpowder or glittering steel destro
an idea ! The thunder and the lightning cannot
1t was at the cause and the ruler of the frs
revolution 1t made the circuit of the world an
left its eavcn in every part and those changes an
that progress which we see are the Consequences
Socialism. which frightens society by its alarmin
and lmpractcable eXtravagances and destructiv
ADMINISTRATION is. with its mperishabe truths
agtatng the entire of society, and which is a
the bottom of the last revolutionary movements-de
rives its birth from the same parent Union.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC GENTLEMAN.-The Peoria Re
public gives amusing account of a patriotic ind
yidual of that city, who learning there was to b
general celebration of the Fourth" at tina
place resolved to celebrate the day on his ow
hook" The Republic says:
At eight o'clock he formed a procession Tconsis
ting of himself and marched to a grove some two o
three miles north of the city. where he event throug
the motions of glorious celebration. We give be
low his order of exercises:
l. MuSic-Hail Columbia
2. Reading Declaration.
3. MuSc-Yankee Doodle.
+. OratOn-Our Country.
5. Music-Star Spangled Banner.
after these exercises had been gone through with
dinner consisting of bread, cheese bacon, pickl
and hard boiled egg taken from his coat peck
ct and, placed under his vest. Then came the re
gular and volunteer toasts. Not having a reporte
present. We are unable to give readers either tn
Oration or the toass we trust, however they will
written Ont for publication