The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-16

tleman declined the honor the following forcble and
eloquent address
GENTLEMEN: Had the effort in which lost my free
dom been successful the honoTs now rendered would not
surprise me.
But il was otherwise Far from realizing il obscured
the hopes which accompanied and inspired it-endlng
suddenly in encouragement and defeat.
This the wide world knows. This you yourselves
must inwardy admit though The goodness OF your nature
will seal your lips to the admission, being fearful OF the
disparagemen 1t would imply.
quick appreciate encourage, TO reward Never slow
snied in the measure pours out, It's fault Is 10 DC
too precptate and profuse Estimating merit mol oy Inc
eraon regardless of the fortune which attends them,
and for whatever sacrifices they have enaed awardsa
great equivalent. !,
In this, the gratitude Of people differs from the graft
tude OF kings 49,
With the latter success is essential condition OF ex.
celence Pensions, knghtly decorations, orders OF no
bilityhese given by kings in exchange only Tor The
trophies which decorate their halls, or the acquisitions
which widen the surface OF their Dominion.
Not SO with people, as | have said. They do not
barter and economist their gifts Whatever the result,
be the motive upright, be The deed honorable, and their
favors forthcoming Moreover, Il sometimes nap
pens that where disaster has most grevously beal'en'
there their sympathies most evoked and their treas
most plenteousy bestowed
This it is which explains the proceedings, IN my re-
gard, of The noble city you represent
have sought to save my country and been anxious TO
contribute TO her freedom This shall not assume me
modesty to deny Long before mingled in the strife OF
politics, il was my ambition to be identified with the des-
Tiny OF my countyo share her glory, glory were de-
creed he-to share her suffering and humiliation, il such
should be her portion.
For the little have done and suffered have had my
reward in the penalty assigned me- To be The last and
humblest in the litany which contains the names
of EMMETT and FlTzcERALD-names which waken notes
of herosm the coolest heart and stir to lofty purposes
the most sluggish minds an honor which compensates
me fully for the prvations have endured. Any recon
pense 81 more Joyous nature II would Ill become me
TO receive.
Whilst my country remains in sorrow and subsection.
it would be indecae OF me TO participate IN the iestlv
ties you propose When she lifts her head. and nerves
her arm for holder srngglewhen she goes iorth ike
Miriam, with song and tmbre to celebrate her victory
too, shall t up my head and JON 10 the he, hymn Of
freedom Till then the retirement seek Will best &C
cord with the love bear and the sadness which her
present fate inspires.
Nor do forget the companions Of my exile MY hear,
is with them at this hour and shares the solitude in
which they dwell The freedom that has been restored
is mbered by the recollection OF their captivity
Whilst they in prison, shadow rests upon my spirit
and the thoughts that might otherwise be Tree throb
heavily within me. 1t Is painful for me TO speak.
should feel happy in being permitted TO be silent
For these you will not feel dspeased with me
for declining the honors you solicit me TO accept Did
esteem them less, should not consider myself SO un.
worthy nor decline conc usyey to enjoy them The
privileges OF eminent city should be sacred to those
who persony great and living cause--a past full OF
fame, and future full OF hope-and whose names are
prominent and impeTishabe.
pains deeply to make this reply, being sensible OF
the enthusiasm which glows around and the eager
with which public opportunity OF meeting me has
been awaited. know will dsappoint generous anx
ety but the popriely of the determination have come
TO is proved by the necency even OF this consideration
to overcome me. ! know, too, that as 1t gueves me II
will grieve others, and that, perhaps, the motives that
have led 10 IT may be misunderstood, misconsrued, and
censured But | am confident that, after little while,
the public judgment will sanction the act which due
regard 10 what owe my country my companions and
myself seriously dictates.
Yet so far as your invitation recognises the fidelity
with which adhered aud still adhere, TO good and
glorious cause be assured that il has not been
ar m n
auenced IN Ireland have undergone no change
Still, ever,1 perceive within my country the faculties
that fit her for useful and honorable positions and be-
lieving that they require only TO be sci IN motion to
forth
Beside there is within me pride that cannot be sub
dueG-tbere is within me ambition that cannot be ap.
peased desire TO have country which shall work out
fortune OF her own, and depend longer for sub
sisience on the charity OF other nations desire 10
have country which | can point 10 with exulta
ton-whose prosperity shall be my liie-wbose glory
shall be my guerdon desire to have country which
shall occupya benehcen position IN the world, and by
her industry intellect, integrity, and courage, shall
trbuie in community with all free nations TO the COM
mon happiness and grandeur oil humanity. Hopes may
have darkened. but the destiny TO which would my
country lifted is before stll-a height like that Of
Thabor, crowned with an eternal sun.
1t is bold ambiton but in this fine country could
have none other.
The moment we set our foot upon her shore behold
the offspring OF freedom-he energy, the thrift the opu
lencs to which she has given birth-and at glance
comprehend her fuitfulness utility, and spentor. We
behold the wonders she has wrought--the deformed
lransiomedthe crippled colony springing into the
bust proportions OF an empire which Alexander might
well have sighed To conqueT-the adventurous spt OF
Der compensatng, by lis rapdty, 10 little more than
half century, for the thousands OF years in which the
land lay still in ha shadow of the ancient forests-we
behold all this, and the worship OF youth becomes
more mpassoned and profound
To this land came, outcast, 10 seek bonora
BILE home-as outlaw TO claim the protection OF flag
that is involable. By OF the wisest and mdes OF
the ancient legislators il decreed that all those who
admitted into The citizenship Of Athens. On the
ground, in virtue Of the sentiment OF perpetual Danish
ment which excludes me from my native land, sought
quiet sanctuary in the bone OF Washington. To other
land could the heart which has felt the rude hand Of
tyranny confidently turn Tor serene rePose.
Long may she prosper-continuing faithful 10 the
inheritance left her by the fathers OF the republic Long
may she prosper-gatherBg into the bosom OF her grea
family the children of all naons-addlng TO her terrific
~ not by the sword OF the soldier the subety OF the
statesman, but by the diffusion OF her principles and the
consonance OF her simple laws and institutions with the
good and purer aspirations of mankind Long may
she prospereach year adding TO her stock OF strength
and dignity and wisdom, and high above her countless
fleets and cities, the last generation, may the
monument OF her liberty be deserted Ia the darkest
storms which shake the thrones and dynases of the
Old World, may 1t stand unscathed In the darkest
night which falls upon the OF struggling people,
may shine forth like the in the wilderness, and
be 10 them emblem Of hope and signal of saliva
ton