New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-06-10
EDWARD EVERETT ADDRESS.


In no other country in the world, probably
do the great men of the nation-eminent poll
ticians, able statesmen or famous scholarship
pear 20 frequently and so pleasantly before the
people Is in ours. Lyceums and literary asso-
citations, anniversaries and commandments, de-
pend chiefly upon them for their interest and
support. Almost monthly some distinguished
politician is heard of, lecturing before crowd
ed audience, upon historical and literary sub
jects-c conveying his impressions and his opin-
ions, and adding to the mere statement of facts
and dry recital of past occurrences such refec-
lions and observations as are calculated to make
them practically useful. Webster, Cass, Ben
ton, Choate, have all of them been more or less
celebrated in this manner. We have seen the
Secretary Of State giving review Of history
even while engaged in creating and making
that of the present. We have heard one of the
Judges Of the Supreme Court, leaving Black
stone and Coke behind, speak for hours, earn
estly, intelligently and instructively upon agri-
culture. In this country there is no duty to
which prominent man is liable, that may Sc
cure for him greater honor, than well written
and well delivered public address.
The custom is being adopted in England.
Numbers of her most distinguished noblemen
have lately been engaged in addressing popular
assemblies upon popular subjects. Lords Nor
peth, Russell and Brougham have laid aside
their rank and courted public applause and re-
gard by the exhibition of qualities more deserv-
ing of honor than any title descended from ff-
teen grandfathers, or any dignities which they
could not avoid.
The latest and one of the ablest public ad-
dresses ever delivered by the public men of this
country, has just come to us through the columns
of the NewYork papers. 1t was pronounced by
the Hon. Edward Everett, before the Historical
Society, and treats of the settlementland history
of this country. We can, to some degree, i'm
agine the enthusiasm which is said to have at
tended its delivery. There are very few men in
any station more conversant with the history of
America than Mr.. Everett-few who could
clothe their learning in choicer language, and
few who could more beautifully express it.
There is warm and earnest nationality per-
vading the whole discourse, but lis nationality
of the broadest character-embracing every
emigrant. every foreigner who, with the animus
manendi, sets his foot upon our soil We are
only able to give the conclusion and that is but
n skeleton of the original. Nevertheless we
think our readers will be pleased with the SEN
timent that pervades and the spirit that pene-
trates it, Mr.. Everett said
"Do we owe no duties to foreigners' What
was the founder of Virginia, when poor Indian
girl threw herself between him and the war club
of her father What were the Pilgrim Fathers,
when the friendly savage, if we must call him
so, met them with the salutation of Welcome
Englishmenp They are foreigners and
suppose they are. Was not the country all but
ready yeur or two ago to plunge into a con-
fiict with the military despotisms of the West of
Europe, in order to redress the wrongs of the
oppressed races who feed their fiocks on the
slopes Of the Carpathians, and pasture their
herds upon the tributaries of the Danube, and
do we talk of the hardship of relieving destitute
foreigners, whom the hand of God has guided
across the ocean and conducted to our doors
II am not Indifferent to the increase of the pub
lie burdens; but the time has been when / have
felt little proud of the vast sums paid in the
United States for the relief of poor emigrants
from Europe 1t is an annual sum, have no
doubt, equal to the interest on the foreign debt
Of the States which have repudiated their obi
cations. When was in London few years
ago, received q letter from one Of the interior
counties Of England, telling me that they had
in their House of Correction an American sea-
man, (or person who pretended to be,) who
was both pauper and rogue. They were de.
sirous of being rid of him, and kindly offered to
place him at my disposal. Although he did moi
bid fair to be very valuable acquisition,
wrote back that he might be sent to London
where he could be shipped by the American
Consul to the United States. / ventured to add
the suggestion that if Her Majesty's Minister at
Washington were applied to in a similar way by
the overseers of the poor and wardens of the
prisons in the United States, he would be pretty
busily occupied. But l really felt pleased, at q
time when my own little State of Massachusetts,
was assisting from ten to twelve thousand desti-
tute British subjects annually, to be able to re-
lieve the British Empire of the only American
pauper quartered upon it.
~'Mr. President and gentlemen, my humble tale
is told. Its first incident is Columbus, begging
bread for his child at the gate of convent. Its
last finds you the stewards Of this immense
abundance the almoners of this more than i'm
perial charity, providing employment and fooC
for starving nations, and home for fugitv,
races