The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-25

under the influence of dawnng public opinion,
and man was about TO reassert his long lost
rights.
Washington was ruised up TO b come leader
of popular rights, imbodying in his person all
the principles necessary to our success and to
establish our liberties. He was the gift of
Providence to us lie led us triumphantly
through a seven years war. After being the
main instrument in the revolution, and the es-
adjustment of our present Union and form Of
government, after having secured by war our
Independence, under free and safe institutions,
he took presidential office, to put into operation
the machinery for the diffusion Of those blessings
peculiarly sacred to the people OF the United
States. He served US eight years, and then re-
tired to Mount Vernon, where ne passed the
remainder Of his days. Providence intended
him for model His character covers the whole
space of his political and private life. he was
trained in the humblest walks of private life,
and therefore knew the wants and wishes Of the
condition of the humbest people. The conf
dence which he inspired spread with every step
He became commander of our army. lie used
it without oppression to any human being. He
led you triumphantly on; he was ah example
for all military men, He became President. He
has left US an example to which we look with
filial reverence, and long may we do SO. Ap-
plause, long continued.
He left us what he called the advice OF a
parting friend. lie said, 81 now bid adeu to
public life; old age admonshes me that | will
soon be summone from you all but here, my
countrymen, | leave you disinterested advice,
which a life OF long experience enabled me to
prepare. II is the gathered wisdom of my life
and my experience" We began with riches no
nation ever knew before. What are the mines
Of California to it? Here is wisdom left by
Washington above all price. The Romans
shouted and lexulted when Mark Antony told
them that Caesar had left them few drachms
apiece and the privilege Of walking in his garden
the imperial bequest.. How ignoble, how
trifng, does this Roman gift seem to you in
comparison with this Farewell Address, APP
plause. This is imperishabe. As long rs we
remember it, it will render our liberties secure;
and when we forget it, it will rest in the breasts
of people more worthy of i'll trust for no
other purpose than to shame this degenerate age.
| Applause.
The Farewell Address contains wisdom
enough if we but attend to it, it contains les
sons enough, to guide us all in our duties ms
statesmen, ana in all our public affairs. lAp
plause.
There are two subjects in this address to
peculiar interest | advert to this in no spirit
of controversy and unkindness to any one but
in that spirit which induces me to see every les
son of Washington daily and constantly and
freshly brought to the mind of every citizen of
the United States. To my children it shall be
taught as the first lesson. None are too old to
learn it, and it cannot be learned too early. You
are familiar with it all, gentlemen, and | will
therefore only ask you for your attention while
| alluds to two subjects on which Washington
was peculiarly emphatic. The one is to pre-
serve the Union of this land. Applause. This,
he says, is 'the main pillar of the edi6ce of our
and liberty. Frown down every
attempt to bring into question, much less sub
vert it. When this is gone all is gone; it is the
main pillar of your independence" Let US have
this main pillar. trust in God we have no
reason to apprehend that the suicidal arm will
be raised against this government and Union,
which makes US brethren. APPLAUSE will
look upon the Union as indissoluble, and firmly
seated as the mountains of our land. will
hope, believe, and so act, and nothing but ne
cesaity, stern and overwhelming, will drive me
from this position. Thank God we have eve
ny hope of the restoration of every kind feeling
which made US in times past one united band of
brothers from one end of the Union to the other
[ Applause, loud and long continued
This relates to internal danger, but there is
external danger; and this is the second subject.
Be,oare Of the indications or exercise Of foreign
influence among us. Applause, long continued
Weare Americans Washington has taught us,
and we have endeavored to teach the rest of the
world, how to govern themselves. If they have
not yet learned the lesson, and secured the adj
vantages of selt-government, what concern is it
to us? We are the teachers, and yet they viii
not learn from us. Three cheers were here
proposed, and given most heartily. aBe jcal
GUS" he said, !" of all foreign interference. En-
ter into no entangling alliances cherish no par
tcular partialities and prejudices against any
to expect dsinterested favors from them" That
is not the character or relation Of this nation.
Let all your actions be founded on impartial JUS
tce. Do not expect disinterestod favors. Stand
on your own ground. Applause Go not
abroad to mingle yourselves in the quarrels and
wars of others, but avoid the romantic idea of
rghting tho whole world, and arresting by your
arms the progress of the oppressors. y
We have given the world an example. With
three millions of people, poor and unprepared,
1t is said we have right to interfere in The
QuarrelS OF OLncr nations. certainly we nave.
| have right or power and so has any man, to
busy himself in the aifiirs of his neighbors, and
he is called busybody. Laughter and mp
plause We have, as n nation, right to inter
fere; but it is question of expediency. | do
not say that there are not cases connected with
our country and humanity in which would not
interfere; but it is always question of expedi-
ency, and depends upon circumstances. And,
because our sympathies and minds might lead
our country to interfere, Washington impaired
admonition in this particular. 1t is because We
have the right to interfere; and, surrounded by
temptations and possessed of generous hearts
and noble principles, we might transcend the
bounds Of principle and policy, and interfere in
the affairs of foreign nations. Washington, with
penetrating foresight, saw through all. He
knew the warm and generous nature of his
countrymen, and knew where the danger was.
Through his wisdom was erected bulwark of
protection. Stand on your o,on ground. Zap
plause] Aud what can we do by interfering
But argument was not necessary with him.
His name ought to be prophetic or oracular au-
thority. Is it policy to interfere with arms