The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-26

vate post. In every position Ia which nc was
called TO act, he excelled tho most illustrlous 81
the preceding ages, and he differed with then
from being untaruished by inpsries,ions such
as they exhibited. but will not attempt ths
vain effort cf reviewing his tame--his virtues
ARE the legacy Of the greatest value beqneathed
Applause. We are assembled 10 renew ths
remembrance Of his virtues, aud not 10 offer in
cense to mighty name, This being the only
object Of the meeting, say, in the language o.
Scripture, T. II is good for us 10 bs here Lei
US 4ct temple ia every heart, and dedic ats il
TO Washington and the Constitution. Ap
pause.
Gentlemen, we will be- true TO nur country
the American people will be- true 10 their coun.
try and to the Constitution, just 80 long n w
are true to the memory Of Washington. Through
all time the people will be judged by the adrnira
ton of the precepts Of his wisdom, by their
profound regard for his character, and by iheil
admiration of his virtues. Ii the time shall
come when national ambition, lust for power
for foreign acquisition, and love of expensive
war, shall animate our public men, and their
fierce political and dangerous designs cannot be
changed by the remembrance Of Washington's
policy. then will the golden age OF this republic
be extinguished forever. IL sectional anilnosl-
ties and jealousies almost kinde the fires OF
civil war--if illegal power, regardless Of the
rights Of the States and the people, shall trcm
bic in view of the consequences ard an appeal
to the grave and deliberate counsels Of Wash.
ington, and just Interpretation OF the Consti.
tuition is in vain--then there is small hope TO in.
spre the. patriots arm, and bring back the gov.
eminent to the age and purity or Washington
and Jefferson. III hereafter, when under the
impulse of generous feeling, or considerable hos.
,,;fa a., Hal -, AZ
republic in the stream, eternal stream, and
wretched vortex of European politics, abandon
ing the ground Of Washington for that Of for.
egn powers-forgetting that the first and chief
duty is to our own country-then, If the fare
well warning of Washington will not call them
back to clear perceptions of duty, the calamities
of "entangling alliances" alone, and the variety
Of evils floating in the wake of desolating war,
will reveal the follies of degenerate age. II
the time shall ever arrive when corruption shall
invade the walls Of your pond Capitol, and
crime walk unblushingy through its precincts,
and extravaganza and perfidious peculation reign
at the other end of the avenue--if the remem.
brance of tho frugaity and simplicity Of WASH
ington' administration cannot save us, we will
founder on those rocks on which every other re.
public has broken to pieces. Applause. When
corruption reigns here, Washingtons memory
will be forgotten. Renewed applause.
Friends and fellow-citizens, following in the
footsteps of Washington, let us cherish his pre-
cepts, and let us benefit by his experience and
wisdom. Members of both houses of Congress,
let us keep this government within its prescribed
constitutional limits, [applause,l preserve it as
an economical and frugal government, drawing
from the people no more than is absolutely ne
cessary for an honest, frugal administration.
Let no temptation, however great and magnifi-
cent, induce us to violate the spirit or the letter
of the Constitution. Let forbearance and con
citation be the watchword towards the various
sections of this country and their diversified in
terests. Then-then we can bid defiance to the
never appeased appetite of corruption; and we
will be wall impregnable to nefarious factions
Disregarding the maxims and forgetting the
virtues Of Washington, we perhaps might reach
the pinnacle of greatness sooner, but it would
be at the expense of the longevity of the re-
public. Let US adhere to his principles, for
they will soon carry us to the utmost round of
national exaltation. Adhering, then, to princi-
plies and virtue and patriotic devotion to the
Constitution, let us look high enough to see,
and open our hearts wide enough to embrace,
the diversified interests of this widely extended
country; and il we stand up. under all circum
stances and at all times, for our country, our
whole country, and nothing but our country,
some Of us indeed may fall victims to the small
tricks of small politicians, but even in death our
country will be our monument attesting our
fidelity and honoring our memory. fApplause.
Fellow-citizens, give you the first toast:
"The Day we celebrate: Auspcious TO the
cause of rational freedom-lt gave 10 liberty
IFS ablest defender, and to republican institu.
tons their truest expounder." Music.
Attorney General Crttenden, having been
called upon by the company, rose 10 respond,
and was heartily greeted. We regret that we
cannot furnish at this time full report Of his
eloquent remarks, and must therefore coniine
ourselves merely in substance TO a few Of the
prominent points lie said that they had met
here TO commemorate the anniversary Of the
birth Of Washington. The occasion and ASSOC
Citations which surround US are la this city, which
he founded-at the capital and the seat Of gov
eminent which he establshed-in sight OF
Mount Vernon, his,priyate residence and the sa-
cred sepuchre of his body. The occasion makes
rs feel as il we were almost brought again into
his presence-at least his name--a name which
can never die--l living name, before which eve.
ry head Of every civilized country is bowed in
reverence, and to which the homage Of every
American heart is due. Applause. almost
fear 10 speak of the circumstIn ce. The ordina-
ry terms Of language will not fully express the
character Of Washington. The names Of Cesar,
or Napoleon, or Cromwell may excite the noisy
applause Of the world, and ip1ame the passions
Of men with stories of fields ahd Of fame, but
the name Of Washington occupied calmer, a
serener, and more celestial sphere Applause.
Therewas not IN biz character and about his name
any Of the turbulence and operations which con-
stitute glory in a vulgar and worldly sense. His
name has sunk deeply into the hearts Of mankind,
and more especially il has sunk deeply into the
hearts and minds Of every American, and in that
sacred and honored temple il rests. Without
any Of the forms of noisy osteutatious idolatry,
il rests in the recesses Of the hearts Of his conn
trymen, and, like an oracle, is continually wits
pering blessings Of patriotism and Of virtue.
Long continued applause. He never sought
or asked for what men call glory he sought to
serve his kind and country by his benefcence
and his virtue and he found Ia that service and
performance Of his duty the honest and richest
reward which can compensate the patriot and