The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-21


ngs to profit by that honor, cannot choose but
confess that, among his American friends here
this evening at hig festive board, there many
upon whom it might have been more fifty be-
slowed, because o. their greater practice, tact and
ability In expressing themselves such occasions
have said, however that the office assigned me
is agreeable one, and will, in as few words
possible, endeavor TO acqut myself OF il. The last
few months have been sgnalized in this great capi
tai, which ia in many senses the centre and the
eye of the world, by enterprise grand in its
conception it has been successful in its
ton and results refer of course, to the brilliant
international "encounter of wits that all of as
have witnessed, aud which has just been ter
minated. IL, gentlemen, that encounter has
been somewhat keen in its conduct, 1t has
been productive of none but honorable and recip-
| rocal iumphs-triumphs which, it is deyoutly to
be hoped, have left no dsappointments or heart
burnings in any American bosom, but which, let
fervently trust, will tend powerfully to secure
the paramount object aimed ai-that of promoting
good will among men, and more enlarged and
peacclul intercourse among nations Ia aid OF this
goodly work, and prompted by elevated pride
Of country our liberal and sagacious representa-
tive at this court labored from its outset moat
| nestly, ardently, and efficiently. He early saw
that in such a tourney of intellect of talent, and
| experience, young America would necessarily en-
4 ter the lists with immense odds against her. That
| to "try conclusions with the Old World upon
ground which il had SO long occupied as to all the
branches of art, science, and industry was tempt
ing but bold experiment; and that she must "put
on manly readiness" Heappealod TO her patriot
ism; aud despite Of manifold difficulties, without
any specific national appropriation or means Tor
the end in view his efforts generously second
ed by his countrymen, many of whom have
the pleasure to see here as late competitors for
the honor5 of the occasion AS, gentlemen,
our holiday rhetoric at home ID sometimes, and
perhaps justly, accused of being little too
boa sful and hashy will not commit the sin here
OF nduging in any unbecomlDg iellcitations upon
our achievements In and out of the magnificent
arena, erected with such magical promptitude, for
the worlds conquests in this peaceful rivalry. But
may be permitted to say that most OF them nave
been useful many of them unriyalled for their IN
geniou5 simplicity, and all OF them calculated TO
produce beneficial results more or less immediate:
But am rambling very far from my purpose, and
perhaps disregarding that pithy Irish proverb,
which insinuates that takingspoi conversation
My special object in calling your attention to my
self, was to ask you to unite with me IN thanking
our patriotic envoy here most gratefully Tor the
untiring efforts he has made during his residence
in this country to remove the preudices, and to
overcome the rcpugnance which certain sell seek
ing partu acticans, both sideB OF the Atlantic,
have SO long and so unwlsey sought to keep alive
and embitter between the British isles and our be-
loved country. Why, gentlemen, time was, with
in my own recollection, when, in our own streets
| honest John Bull (for such must call him) was
| looked upon not only as an arrogant and encroach
! ing, but, in Gaiiic phrase, perhdious animal.
| And remember, too that some OF our psuede pa
trios and political preceptors taught Us to turn
away from him: insinuating, In no bated breath,
.'iHe habet feaum cornu hume Ia caceto Romano"
Even the old women were afraid OF his horns, and
thought il burning shame that he should be sui
fcred to go abroad. m
Such Was some of the hot wrath, the fiery ha-
tired, of not very distant epoch IN our relations
with him. But we have changed all that; and IL
we cannot tread out every scattered ember of an
cent animositics, let us cndeayor TO " pale their
Intellectual fire., and kindle brighter and purer
flame upon the altar OF peace. Thanks to the sa-
gaciy and sound affections of the great body of
the American people, the mystihcation5 OF the
| demagogue cannot long deude them. Thanks,
too, TO the purified understandings OF the most
anIaA aAsafst hAd
parties the councils OF the country, backed by
the manly sentiments and captivating eloquence
of her majesty's able and experienced envoy at
| Washington, (whom have now the pleasure to
sec here all outstanding differences OF political
kind have been, believe, fully, fairly, and finally
adjusted In bringing about this happy consum-
nation, that distinguished diplomatist has used no
arts after the old fashion Of his craft; he has de-
vsed no subtle traps, spread no lurking snares Tor
our astutc people; but be has addressed himself
| TO their understandings and 10 their hearts. He
| iibi ert,,t artes'' &c. But while utteripg
these Just congratulations, a compatriot near me
whispers in my that there are some balances
of another nature remaining unsettled by two or
three of the younger States of the Confederacy;
but all these, whether resting upon the point Of
honor, or upon legal enactment, will, If do not
grievously mistake the lofty spirit OF my country
men, be fully discharged; and, trust, at no dis
tant day Coming from one OF the oldest States OF
the American Union. whose good faith has always
been intact, and like Cesar's, wife, above suspI-
con, may peradventure be pardoned Tor this pass
ing reference to the temporary lapses OF those IN
experienced members of the Federal ssterhood.
Let US, then, for the present
e BE to their faults little blind,
And to their virtues very kind
In conclusion, and in making the proposal TO you
with which am charged let me remind you that,
since my friend Mr.. Lawrence has held his post
here, an unusual number OF his feliow-citlzens
have visited this capital that they have come
from all parts of our vast territory-from Caiior-
mia to Cape Charles, and from the st. Lawrence to
our "larthest Thule'' in the South that, though
| of hem vii
two capital questions of domestic policy, he has re.
ceived them all without regard to party aims and
interests; that he has eagerly rendered them HIS
official aid and influence, whenever he could do so
with propriety and effect; and, II may venture
to intrude upon such delicate ground, that he has
offered them in private that prompt ana senlai
hospitality for which he was 80 much famed at
home. therefore confidently predict that, though
he ID not unaccustomed TO warm receptions on thls
side of the Atlantic, yet, return when ne may 10
his fatherland, he will be greeted by troops oi
friends" with Q ended hands and expanded hearts.
give you ec en-, "The health of the Ameri-
can Minister ,4.d Il the members Of his amiable
and accomplished family"
This speech was received most cordially, and
frequently interrupted by cheers during lie pro-
gress.
His excellency Mr.. LAWRENCE, on rising, was
hailed with unbounded enthusiasm. He said:
feel as you may we'll suppose, with deep sensibil-
ity, the fiattering testimony just extended to me-
am not able, for have not words, to express the
obligations feel, not only to my friend ON my
right, but to my countrymen generally We are
here to celebrate great event. The invitation
received was ssto attend farewell dinner of those
of my countrymen who came to the Great Exhibi-
ton am happy to find that our noble host has,
characterized by his usual good taste, not confined
this invitation to those OF US who are nauve-born
Americans, but that he has brought to us those who,
although not Of nation, or OF our kindred, are
yet of tho same origin, and have the same language
the came literature, and the same OF every thing
which makes the man. loud applausel Be-
sides, there a peculiar propriety IN bring
ing to US the alpha and omega OF the Great Elk
hibiton We have here the man who had the
skill and the cunning to plan. and the power and
the talent to execute and produce, building such
as the world never before, and perhaps such
as the world mny never sec again. lHear.l Our
host has also brought to US that man whom we
all respect for his learning, and love as a man
that man who had the power to execute and bring
TO us the products of the labor Of oil the world.
allude gentlemen, to the right honorable the Earl
Granville loud cheers.] l beg here to make
my Acknowledgements, and to present my thanks
= -, - 81 ..v.Nf.