The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-23
[REpoRTgD ron THE REPuBLic.1
The congressional banquet in Honor
the Birthday of Washington.


This fete took place on Saturday night, at
Wizards Hotel.
The spacious dining hall was tastefully fes
TONED with GEOGRAPHICALLY ''the stars and
tnpes"-among which, at the north end of the
room, the likeness of WAsAINGroN was con-
spicuous.
Among the invited guests, we noticed Messrs
STUART, HALL, and CRITTENDKN, of the Cabi-
net, and Major General WINFIELD SCOTT, of
the army.
A large number of members of Congress were
present on the interesting occasion.
The Marine Band was in attendance.
The assembly having been called to order,
at few minutes past eight o'clock, by the
Hon. IL. +. STOCKTON, of the Senate, who pre-
sided, (and who was assisted by the Hon.
Msssrs. VENABLE and TAYLOR, of the House
Of Representatives,
| The Rev. G.. M. Butler, the Chaplain to
the Senate, delivered an appropriate prayer
After the company had dined, and the cloth
was removed, the Hon. r. f. STOCKTON, the
president, spoke to the following effect, namely:
| AMERICANS Having been called upon to preside
on the present occasion, to celebrate the annver-
sary of the birthday of Washington, great honor
| has been bestowed upon me, for which nv beet
and heartfelt thanks due.
|
| ditiuse themselves this vast continent, our
federal relations will probably be more pcated
and diversified, and the blessings Of the Constitu-
ton and the Union may be more sternly tried by
mistaken construction, reckless violation,
insidlous corruption. The remembrance of
the past, the momenous questions of the pres.
| ent day, the solemn matters Of the future,
| should teach US to appreciate the inestiinable
| treasure that ID concentrated in the pure char
acter, that holy patriotism OF him who "irst
| In peace first In war, and first in the hearts of
his countrymen," and TO admonish us of the i'm.
portance OF ever keeping fresh in the minds of all
this mighty people the admonitions of our beloved
Washington-a talisman whose virtue is more
precious than oceans of liquid gold or solid islands
Of silver. Applause ] Nobleness of sentiment,
purity OF conduct, and love of liberty, have aston
ished and delighted mankind in every country and
age; and actions of almost incredible prowess have
been performed by mighty men OF old. In these
exhibitions they have most generally been intiu
enced, more or less, by personal ambition, or by
criminal atrocty. But 1t was LETT for the age Of the
American Revolution to produce pure hero and
patricia man whose character wss obnoxious to
no such reproach; one who was Indeed a sol
| dier and counsellor, but without crime. His eye
glistened with the dew drop of pity, when the
unsheathed sword reeked with the blood OF the
fallen foe No Discrimination injustice marked
his character The first man Of tho age his great
desire WAS TO occupy private post. In every DO.
siton In which be was called to act, he cxceed
the most lllustrio1s of the preceding ages. and he
differed with them from being unta nished by i'm
! perfecons such ns they exhibited. But will not
attempt the vain effort OF reviewing his fame-hs
virtues the legacy of the greatest value be-
! queathed. [Appause.l We are assembled to
new the remembrance OF his virtues, and not to
offer incense 10 a mighty name. This being the
only object Of the meeting, say, in the Ian guage
! OF Scripture, sit 10 good for US to be here" Let
ns erect temple in every heart and dedicate TO
Washington and the Constitution. [Applause.l
! Gentlemen we will be true to our country; the
American people will be true their country, and
20 the Constitution, just 30 long arc true to
the memory oil Washington. Through al time
the people will be judged by the admiration of the
| precepts OF his wisdom, by their profound regard
Tor his character. and by their 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 pub
llc 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 aninositios and jealousies almost kindle
the free OF civil war; if illegal power regardless OF
the rights Of the States and the people, shall emble
/ IN view of tho consequences, and appeal TO the
| grave and deliberate counsels of Wasbingto and
just Interpretation of the Constitution lie in vain
thon there IA small hope 10 inspire the patriots arm,
aud bring hack the Government 60 the age and
purity Of Washington and Jefferson. If hereafter,
when under the impulse Of generous feeling
confederate hospitalites our people shall seek TO
involve the Republic in the stream eternal stream,
and wretched vortex OF European politics, nban.
doning the ground Of ashington for that ofiorcign
forgetting that the first and chiefduty Is TO
! our own country; then II the farewell warning OF
Washington will not call them back 10 clear percep-
| lions OF duty, the calamiiies Of "entsnglinR ALI
ances" alone and the variety Of evils uatin in the
wake OF dcsolaung war will reveal the iollies of
degenerate age II the time shall ever arrive when
corruption shall invade the walls Of your proud
Capitol, and crime walk unblushingly through is
precincts, and crtrayagauce and pcrhdious pecu-
lstion reign at the other end Of the Aycnue-f the
remembrance Of the frugslity and simplicity Of
| Washington's administration cannot save US,
| will founder on those rocks which every other
republic has been broken to pieces, [Appause
When corruption rcigns here w ashing ion e memo
| ~ will be forgotten. [Ronewcd spplause.l
Friends and felow.citl1ens. following in the
| footsteps of Washington. let US cherish bis pre-
cepts, and let US benefit by his experience aud wis
| dom. Members Of both Houses Of Congress, let VA
keep this Government within its prescribed consti-
tutional limits, Applause preserve il as an eco.
| nomical and frugal Government, drawing from
the people more than ia absolutely necessary for
an honest, frugal admnstrstion Let no tcmpta.
ton, however great or magnificent, induce 10
violate the spirit or the letter Of the Constitution.
! Let forbearance aud Cancellation be the watch.
word towards the various sections Of this country.
and their diversified interests. Then then, we
can bid defiance TO the never appeasod appetite Of
| corruption; and VIC will be a wall impregnsblc TO
| ncfarous factions. Disreghrding the naxims and
| forgetting the virtues Of Washington we perhaps
might reach tho pinnacle Of greatness sooner, but
II would he at the expense Of the longevity II the
Republic. Let us adhere TO his principles, for they
will soon carry US 10 the utmost round Of national
eraltation. Adj ing, then, TO principle and yir.
tue, and patriot, devotion 10 tho Constitution, le,
us look high enough 10 see, aud open our hearts
vide enough To embrace the diversified interests
OF this wide extended country; and II we stand
~, under all circumstances and at all times, for
| our country, our whole country, and nothing bat
our country, some Of ne indeed may fall yictima 10
the small tricks Of small politicians, bot even In
death our country will be our monument attesting
| our fidelity and honoring our memory. ZAP
\ plauscl
Fellow citizens, give you the first toast:
The Day i1e Ceiebrats Auspicious 20 the cause
OF rational freedom: IL gave 20 liberty its ablest
defender, and to republican institutions their truest
| crpounder.' Music
Attorney General CsrrTESDKS having been
called upon by the company, TO respond, and
was heartily greeted. We regret that we cannot
furnish at this time foil report Of his eloquent re-
MARKS and must therefore confino ourselves mere
| ly in substance tos few Of the prominent points
lie said that they bad met here to commemorate
the anniversary Of the birth Of Washington The
| occasion and the associations which surround va
arc in this city, which he founded; at the capital
! and seat Of Government, which be established; in