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

called to act, he exceed the most illustrious OF
the preceding ages, and he differed with them
from being untlni,hed by impertectoS such
AS they exhibited But will not attempt the
vain effort CT reviewing his fame--liis virtues
are the legacy Of the greatest value bequeathed.
Applause We are assembled to renew the
remembrance of his virtues, and not to offer in
ccnse TO mighty name. This being the only
object of the meeting, say, in the language OF
Scripture, Ii is good for us to be here" Let
US erect temple in every heart, and dedicate il
TO Washington and the Constitution. APP.
pause.
Gentlemen, We will be true to our country,
the American people will be true to their coun-
try and to the Constitution, just SO long rs We
are true to the memory of Washington. Through
all time the people will be judged by the admira-
ton OF the precepts OF his wisdom, by their
profound regard for his character, and by theit
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 Ii sectional almost
ties and jealousies almost kindle the fires OF
civil war-if illegal power, regardless of the
rights of the States and the people, shall trem
bile in view Of the consequences, and an appeal
to the grave and deliberate counsels OF Wash
ington, and just Interpretation of the Consti-
tuition is in vain--thcn there is small hope to in
spire the patriots arm, and bring back the gov
eminent to the age and purity Of Washington
and Jefferson. Ii hereafter, when under the
impulse of generous feeling, or considerate hos
pitalties, our people shall seek to involve the
republic in the stream, eternal stream, and
wretched vortex Of European politics, abandon
ing the ground Of Washington for that Of for
eign powers-forgetting that the first and chief
duty is to our own country--then, il the fare
well warning of Washington will not call them
back to clear perceptions of duty, the caamities
of "entangling alliances" alone, and the variety
Of evils fl )ating in the wake of desolating war,
will reveal the foies of degenerate age If
the time shall ever arrive when corruption shall
invade the walls Of yoar pond Capitol, and
crime walk unbushingly through its precincts,
and extravaganza and perfidious peculation reign
at the other end of the avenue-if the remem-
brance of the frugality and simplicity of WASH
ington's 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, Westinghouse memory
will be forgotten. Renewed applause.
Friends and felowcitizens, 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.
Lat tam fati hoW 1T nd ma
cent induce us to violate the spirit or the letter
of the Constitution. Let forbearance and con
eiliation 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 mpregnable to nefarious factions
Disregarding the maxims and forgetting tho
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-
pies 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 if 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. Applause. |
Fellow-citizens, give you the first toast
"The Day we celebrate: Auspicious to the
cause of rational freedom-It gave to liberty
its ablest defender, and to republican institu.
tons their truest expounder." Music.
Attorney General Crittenden, having been
called upon by the company, rose to respond,
and was heartily greeted. We regret that we
cannot furnish at this time full report of his
eloquent remarks, and must therefore contine
ourselves merely in substance to few of the
prominent points. He said that they had met
here to commemorate the anniversary of the
birth of Washington. The occasion and assoc
ciations which surround us are in this city, which
he founded--at the capital and the seat Of gov
eminent which he established-in sight of
Mount Vernon, his Eprivate residence and the sa-
cred sepulchre of his body The occasion makes
MS feel as if we were almost brought again into
his presence--at least his name-a name which
can never die-a 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 to speak of the circumstance. The ordina-
ry terms of language will not fully express the
character of Washington The names of Caesar,
or Napoleon, or Cromwell may excite the noisy
applause Of the world, and inhame the passions
of men with stories of fields and of fame, but
the namo of Washington occupied calmer, n
serener, and more celestial sphere Applause.
There'was not in his character and about his name
any of the turbulence and operations which con
stitute glory in vulgar and worldly sense. His
name has sunk deeply into the hearts of mankind,
and moro especially il has sunk deeply into the
hearts and minds of every American, and in that
sacred aud honored temple it rests. Without
any of the forms of noisy ostentatious idolatry,
it rests in the recesses of the hearts of his coun
trymen, and, like an oracle, is continually wills
pering blessings of patriotism and Of virtue.
Long continued appause.] lie never sought
or asked for what men call glory he sought to
serve his kind and country by his beneticence
and his virtue; and he found in that service and
performance of his duty the honest and richest
reward which can compensate the patriot and
statesman. This was our Washington. Let
all the rest of the world present anything like a