The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-27
Celebration or WashinxtOn's birthday Ia
nd ia

Celebration OF Wa.hington's Birthday in
Alexandria.
On Monday, the 23d instant, Gas we learn from
the Gaxette,) about seventy gentlemen sat down to
a sumptuous dinner, at the Mansion House. in
Alexandria, Va.
Lieutenant Colonel w. l.. Powell presided at the
dinner, assisted by Francis l.. Smith, esq as vice
president.
The following were the regular toasts prepared
for the occasion:
l. The day we celebrate.
g. The heroes and sages of the Revolution.
g. The principles of Washington: May they be
the polar star TO guide the rulers of our country.
4. The President of the United States
s. The Governor Of Virginia.
8. The Congress of the United States: The watch
tower of freedom.
T. The Supreme Court of the United States--A
tribunal pure and steadfast: When the institutions
of our country are endangered by intestine com
motion, the American heart will turn with conf
dence to a fearless and impartial Judiciary.
g. Retrocession--Its happy results are but full
filling the expectations OF its most sanguine
friends: "Who would be free, themselves must
strike the blow"
g. The Army and Navy: To your keeping, in
pride and safety, is entrusted the American stand
ard--it will always float alott.
10. The Constitution OF the United States--The
glorious work OF our fathers: Let il not be tam
IL. The Union Of the States: "Esto perpetual"
IL. Virginia: ga name no time nor tyranny can
blight"
Is. Woman: The last best gift of Heaven to
man.
Letters were read from Messrs. Stuart and Ora
ham, of the Cabinet, Governor Johnson, Senators
Mason and Cass, and Representatives Linn Boyd
and James F. strother. We subjoin those of
Messrs. Stuart and Graham
WASHINGTON, February 81, 1852
GENTLEMEn: have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt OF your note of yesterday stating that
the citizens Of Alexandra propose to celebrate the
birthday of Washington, by dinner at the Man
sion House. on the 23d instant, and requesting me
to attend it. ] regret that prior engagements
compel me to deny myself that pleasure.
have witnessed with great satisfaction the dis
position Of the people in all parts Of the country to
celebrate the approaching anniversary OF that
great event with unusual enthusiasm. hail this
circumstance as new evidence Of their patriotism
and good sense. II shows that they still retain
fixed and immovable attachment to our glorious
Union, and just appreciation to the principles,
the policy, and the cOunsels OF the Father OF his
Country. Such manifestation OF public senti
ment is called for by the condition OF things which
exists in the country. For the first time since
the achievement of our national independence, men
have been found reckless enough to denounce his
policy, and to deride his solemn admonitions to the
American people. Others have sought, by infiam-
ing sectional prejudces, and appealing to local in
teress to ALLEVIATE the people OF one portion OF the
country from those Of another, and to weaken the
fraternal ties which bind together one nation
All such attempts merit a severe and emphatic re-
bukc, and know occasion on which 1t can
be more appropriately administered than on the
anniversary Of the birthday of him to whom
we indebted for the achievement OF our in
dependence the battlefield, the consolidation
Of our liberties by the Constitution, the purest ad
ministration of our Government, and legacy OF
wisdom and patriotism in his Farewell Address
which IL above all price. Let the American peo-
pie then speak out in language which cannot be
misunderstood. Let them make known their I'M
alterable determination To stand by the principles
and the policy Of Washington. Let them declare
to all the world that whilst they will do justice to
all nations, and cultivate relations OF peace and
friendship with ALL they will have entangling ALI
Ances with none. Whilst they may indulge
generous sympathy for other nations struggling
for freedom they will not permit themselves to be
drawn into the vortex of European revolutions. or
hazard their liberties by ofiiciously informed
ding with the affairs of foreign countries. Too
much countenance has already been given to tho
newfangled doctrine Of ''intervention;1 doctrine
replete with mischief, doctrine which would in
volve us in interminable wars, burden the people
with intolcrable taxes create the necessity for large
standing armies, and ultimately sunder the bonds
liberties.
In my judgment, the prosperity and happiness
Of our country can only be preserved by strict
adherence to the line OF policy marked out Tor
us by Washington. Every departure from IT VIII
be attended with evil consequences and II the
day shall ever come when our glorious IN
stitutions. shall be overthrown, the historian who
records the melancholy story OF their decline
and fail, must begin by referring to the evidences
Of the gradual alienation of the hearts OF the peo-
pie from the principles and policy OF Washington
Let every American, then, cherish has memory
and his counscls in the inmost OF his heart
Let him frown indignantly upon all who seek to
weaken his confidence in has patriotism and has
wisdom, under whatever spccious disguise they
may appear, as real enemies to the country
With renewed expressions OF regret that can
not be present ut the celebration in your ancient
town, to which Washington so often rcsorted,
beg leave to subscribe myself
With great respect, your friend and fellow, citi-
zen, ALEX. H. III. STUART.
To Messrs. FaAScIs J.. SMITH, WIN. l.. POWELL,
J. T. JorNsToN, koBT. TAYLOR, STEPHEN ShIss.
WAsnINoTos, February 81, 1852.
GErTLKMBS: am favored by the receipt OF your
kind aviation behalf Of the citizens of Alexan
dria TO dinner at the Mansion House, in that
city. on the 23d instant. in comnlemoration OF the
birthday OF Washington, for which beg leave to
tender my Acknowledgements
j regret, however, that Giro umstspces, which j
cannot control, deny the pleasure OF being pre-
sent. With no community would il be more agree
able to me to unite in paying appropriate donors
to the memory Of the Father Of his Country than
with the citizens of Alexandria, some OF whom are
old enough to remember him as a neighbor and
friend and all Of whom are familiar with the ira.
ditiona of his personal character, aud have been
brought up in habitual reverence for his illus
trous name, and the noble virtues and services
which gave him pre- -eminence among men. IL is
fitting that they Of all Americans should celebrate
each returning anniversary of his birth, and teach
their chdrcns' children the lessons of patriotism,
honor, and virtue, inspired by his example, pre-
cepts, and daily life.
With sentiments Of unfcigned respect, am gen
tlcmcn your obedient servant.
VIM. A. GRAHAM
To Mcssrs. WIN. l.. POWELL, y. l.. SMITH, j. T.
JoHssros, RoBERT TAyLoa, STEPHEN SbrsN, &c
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