Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-04-02

The following is the reply of the Hon. Robert
Strange to an invitation from the Congressional Com
mttee to attend the celebration, in Washington city
of Washington's birthday:
FAYETTEVILLE, n. c., Feb. II, 1852.
GENTLEMEN Il had the honor of receiving your
polite invitation to partake d" of Congressional
Banquet to be given in celebration of the anniver-
say of the birth of Washington, on Saturday, the
2lSt instant, for the purpose of eyincing becom-
ing respect for his gh and iustrous services and
of affirming and asserting the principles set forth
by him in his Farewell Address to the American
People"
regret exceedingly that cannot be present on
that interesting OCCASION pressing professional en-
gagements render it almost impossible. Bnt its OBJ
jects have my most hearty concurrence. The TWEEN
tyrst section of the bill of rights of the State of
which have the honor to be adopted son cannot
be too often brought to the public notice 1t is in
these words THAT frequent recurrence to fun
damental principles is absolutely necessary to pre-
serve the blessings of liberty"
There has been most unhappy neglect of this
sound maxim on the part of the American People,
and the consequences have been great and most
alarming departures from time to time in the ad-
ministration of our Government from the fundamen-
tai principles which it is based. Many of these
principles most solemny and impressively called
to our attention in the Farewell Address of the Fa.
ther of his Country to the American People.
Not among the least important of the wholesome
counsels it contains his caution " against the in
sdous wiles of foreign influence, and his INDUCTION
" to have with them foreign nations) little po-
ltical connexion possible" The inducements to
this course are wisely presented and the alarming
dangers of contrary stronsly depicted. If any
nation set of men earth possessed the attributes
Of Deity it might very properly undertake the pro-
lection of all the injured and oppressed throughout
the world, and the overthrow and punishment of op
pressors wheresoever they might be found. But this
is not and it is therefore the part of wisdom in
every nation not to lavish its means of doing good
distant and uncertain objects, and il Quixotic at
tempts to right supposed wrongs which, if existing
at ALL are beyond its power to redress, and thereby
expose to hazard the true interests of those for whom
it is its certain duty to provide. The ancient re
publics, unmindful of this brought ruin upon them
selves and have read their histories to little pur
pose. if we do not take warning by their fall.
The American flag is spread abroad to the world
and all the nations of the earth invited to come
and seek protection beneath its ample folds. Those
who come will never, | trust be disappointed. Nay
the light of its stars will and must rradiate Other
lands But like those of the natural heavens, while
seen from affair." cheering and enlightening, the stars
themselves must move from theirproper sphere
for should they do So it must involve themselves and
the rest of the universe in ruin, and chaos
will come again.
have the honor to be. gentlemen, with great re
spect, your obedient servant, RO. STRANGE.