The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-25
iron THE REPUBLIc.l


Union Literary Society's Celebration.
Mr. EoIToR: received letter OF invitation from
"A literary friend to attend the celebration of the
Birthday of General Washington; at the Saloon of
M Carusi, and thought il my duty TO attend; but
did so principally because was informed that the
exercises would be credtabe and above mediocri-
ty Judge OF my surprise at finding a most re-
spectacle audience of ladies and gentlemen assem-
bled where expected to but few persons, as it
was, without contradiction the most disagreeabIe
evening, 80 far as the weather was concerned, |
ever spent at Washington; and have visited here
regularly for several winters The Introductory
prayer by the learned president of the college, was
full of godly sincerity. patriotic feeling devout as
Piration, christian humility, and benevolent eenti-
ment. The Farewell Address of the Pater Patriee
was read, as 1t ought to be read-wih modeety pro-
prlety, Judgment. and dstinctness; and the intro.
ductoIy address to 1t was neat and terse produc-
uon, replete with patriotic truth and interesting
statistics. The author will excuse me for saying
II bad the odor OF the college; it was, however, the
work OF iull- grown dlunnnS, resident graduate.
II bore the finger mark OF the arthur magisfer and
was regularly constructed according to the proyi.
sions OF the rule in such case made and provided
but none the worse for that. | admired the quota.
ton near the close, climax worthy of the congo
rcs upon which it was constructed-the fabric of
which 1t was the cope. stone--a duplication which
Will be read and veneraed, and its fervency and
pathos admired, when the gorgeous ensign of the
Republic, and the Constitution ITSELF shall be covered
over with the scars OF various fortune, and the
marks and mantle of extreme age.
The Grafton of Joseph S. Wilson, esq,, was a
gem, literary jewel, and its oratorcal manage
ment an intellectual banquet That gentleman,
by remaining at the bar, would have ranked
among the most eminent forensic advocates in our
country. The remark made Of an illustrious Ro-
man ID applicable to him MI setign q,.od non or
nauR. The grafton was profound and philosophc
discourse, the product OF mind well matured,
illustrating the immense magnitude Of the work
OF the Revolution. The extraordinary character,
intellectual grandeur, lion heart and gigantic
mind, of each Of the noble band of which General
Washington was the acknowledged leader, were
unfolded and held up to our love and admiration
The unbounded resources, the military and nava al
proves, and supremacy in arts and arms of the
mother country, and the crowd of lustrious states
men that dignted the cotemporaneous history,
were like the scenes of brilliant panorama passed
i'll review before The prospects Of our country
and the cause OF freedom, full of glorious hope
were dwelt upon in effective and brilliant periods
Mr.. Wilson possesses in uncommon degree
the power OF producing that delightful turbulence
of feeling in an audience, the invariabe effect and
attendant of great oratorical genus-I think the
French call it onction. His periods flash. corrus-
cate, sparkle upon the auditory and his utterance
is so vivid piercing, full of animation--the genu-
inc riUda Wis of the orator--that it leaves no mo-
ment Of tagging, no time for comparison, no
chance for criticism; you are carried away, as it
were, in an intellectual hurricane; and the only
thing you conscious of is the master mind Who
has assumed the command of your judgment and
triumphed over your faculties.
This discourse ought not to be locked up by the
society Of learned gentlemen interested; it was
eminently instructive, American, republican,
catholic-will suit all :time, and fill with delight
every heart e.