The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-06
Mr.. Everett.s Lecture.

MIR. Everett's Lecture.
Our readers will peruse with pleasure the
lecture Of the Hon. EDWARD EVERETT, which
will be found in the columns of the Republic
of to day.
Guileless simplicity is the most prominent
characteristic of the lofty intellect perfect
naturalness that wins its way to the heart and
understanding of even the illiterate with the
same celebrity that it addresses itself to the
learned and the wise. The graceful drapery
of eloquence often takes captive the imagina-
ton and demands involuntary praise; but it is
the province of genius alone to soar above the
mere adornments of language, and to float in
an atmosphere alike unclouded by ambiguity
and undazzled by the glimmer of extrinsic
ornament.
The discovery and colonization of America
would have been regarded by many as but a
trite theme for public lecture; but when the
calm and philosophic mind of the scholar and
the statesman is brought to bear upon it, and
the thoughts suggested by it are breathed forth
from the eloquent lips of the orator, among the
many charms that arrest our admiration that of
novelty may we'll be numbered.
Mr.. EVERETT has summoned to remem-
brance every momentous incident recorded
upon the historic page Of our country; he has
suggested thoughts and pointed out avenues of
reflection for every wayfarer; he has taught US
to. review as it becomes christians, patriots,
and philanthropists, the history Of our home and
the pathway that lies stretched out before us !;
he has excited within US renewed sense of
gratitude for the blessings we enjoy, and con-
viction Of our responsibility as the custo-
dams of civil and religious liberty, and as the
almoners of a bounty more valuable than was
ever before possessed by man; and he has
spoken words of fraternal benignity that can
not fail to rebuke every jealous and envious
feeling in the breasts of our countrymen, while
they will assuredly add heartiness and fervor
to the welcome uttered upon our shores to the
stranger who voluntarily departs from the
home of his fathers to dwell amongst US, and
whose children are to be associated with our
own, throughout all future time, in cherishing
and defending the principles of political free
dom and social equality.
We are proud in the belief that the sent-
ments of Mr.. EVERETT are the sentiments of
his countrymen, and we are exultant in the as
surance that they are henceforth to be inculca-
ted and defended in the American Senate by
that distinguished citizen, whose fame as
scholar, an orator and statesman, is known
throughout the world, and whose unsull1ed
reputation and fervid patriotism are regarded
with veneration by the people of all sections
of our Union.
MIR. EvERETT's renown is not thing Of re-
cent growth, nor has his position among the
highest statesmen of our land been assumed by
himself Throughout his whole life his serYi-
ces have been but a series of prompt responses
to the demands of public duty. Whether as
laborer in the most exalted departments of
literature and science, as a legislator in the
councils of his native State, as Governor of
that great commonwealth, as diplomatist in
the service of his country in foreign lands, as
a member of the American Senate, or as a
minister of State, preferment has ever come
to him unsolicited, duty has ever been faith
fully and ably discharged by him, his country
has we'll approved his service, and his retiring
from such positions has been as cheerful and
graceful as his acceptance of each newly con-
ferred honor Such men are indeed worthy to
instruct the popular mind, and in the light of
their counsels may we ever have a guide to
prosperity and renown.