Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-08


press his Acknowledgements for the honor that had been
done him by this social festive meeting and by the hear
ty in which the President had announced and the
company had received the attering toast just offered
When continued he, after absence for four years
land four very eventual years. may say( in the service
of the country abroad, returned my native land my
mind naturally filed with and thrilling antci-
pat;ons Of joyful meeting with old friends and compan-
ions and neighbors. onged TO give each Of them
the cordial grasp of fellowship and receive from them
in return the token of frdternal remembrance All
this luxury of the heart have freely enjoyed Wherever
have been, whoever have met, the eloquent k:ndng
of the eye the sympathetic of the voice which
misinterret the feelings of the heart have given the
gratifying assurance that welcome back to the faith
full affections of my friends and countrymen This
all that could have right to expect, all that had
hoped Tor or wished But you, gentlemen IN the gen.
crosby Of your hearts, have judged otherwise and have
wished TO give this public testimony of your kindness
consideration and esteem, and do so without distinction
Of party
can only say to you that the honor you have thus
done is appreciated it ought to be. It apprecat
cd proceeding from gentlemen honored themselves for
their intelligence, virtue and patriotism of whom
have been the Witnesses and the present occasion at
tests the partial and niugent Witnesses of my manner
Of life 'from my youth up until now, while those who
have lot had opportunities equally extended OF personal
observation yet show themselves less kind and liberal
in their judgment Nor forget that you who unite
in this tribute Of kindness to-day were the country
men and neighbors of Jefferson Madison, and Monroe
habituated to the daily contemplation OF their patriotic
and uous lives trained in the schools Of their high
example and mbued with the living energy of their pub
lie principles and maNims. These great were so
identified with all that surrounds here that they seem
yet live in the midst of US; for SO long Monticello
shall lift its front the Skies the classic domes
and porticos Of the University shall mark the abode of
science and learning in Virginia. their spirits will hover
around and still find dwelling place earth.
| Much has been said and written to the nature
of the sentiment which binds US to our native land
Many have treated it species Of instinct. implanted
in the breasts of animals independent and superior
to the force of know not how this may be,
what may have been the experience of Others but for
myself have never been in foreign country without
feeling my heart yearn and towards the land
of my nativity, and, like the captive Israees when
they hung their harps upon the willows have felt show
shall sing the Lords song in strange land?" and
with them been ready to exclaim If foset thee Je
rusaicm let my right hand forget her cunning"
return to you, then, gentlemen be assured, the
less patriot and Virginia patriot, for having been
abroad On the contrary, return loving my State and
country, if possible to do So than ever for
having seen how blessed her lot is above the other
tons Of the earth It is here only that is born to
the full inheritance OF his faculties here only that
unbounded is opened before him free from the
shackles and restraints imposed by the traditions of
older and less perfect political civilization and here
too if to furnish him with every advantage for
ming go great career, nature has crowned him with
her richest material gifts of SOIL Of climate Of noble
navigabe rivers Of nexhausble subterranean wealth
1t would have been the generous design of Pro-
Vluence that should reach highest deSnleS
this Western world of ours; and it not poetic
dream when great christian philosophers who visited
our shores from the Old World than century ago
then Hrefgurcd in immortal the future golden
age, in the best and highest sense which day 10
be realized in America:
In happy climcs the seat Of innocence,
Where nature guides and virtue rules,
Who're men shall not impose for truth and seEse
The pedantry OF courts and schools:
There shall be ey'n another golden age
The rise OF empire and Of arts,
The good and great inspiring epic age,
The wisest heads and noblest hearts.
Let each Of gentlemen, according to his means
and opportunities labor for the fuflment of this noble
prophetic vision come back to labor with you in this
holy cause here in our native State which is doaby
dear, as ought TO be- to ALL and enlist this day
private and volunteer in the service. have had nv
share OF the empoyments Of public life desire in
private station, 10 contribute according the humble
measure Of my ability and in conjunction with the great
body Of my eowcitizens help by such influences
a may exert every generous scheme Of improvement
demanded by the wants moral, intellectual or physical
Of glorious old Commonwealth. In a republican
muaity every citizen, he is entrusted with share of
the sovereign power, does he corresponding du
ties 10 the community in which he is member and pub
lie opinion being the final arber in every question there
IS who from the bosom of the deepest seclusion
utering the potent and persuasive voice of truth, may
not exercise salutary influence Every man, indeed,
who in the conduct Of his private affairs sets good
example introduces useful practice is far pub
lie benefactor and patriot 1t is with thi. conception
Of the duties and responsibilities Of private citizen that
desire private citizen 10 throw my with each
Of you for the advancement Of the veal and
TO restore far may be- by the joint efforts of all the
ancient and noble structures Of Virginia To
this end have already put hand the plough with you
and with you, if need be, will as.freey put my shout
der 70 the wheel.
The first want Of every free State is wise and du-
size system publicnstructon and popular government
which it is Our happiness to enjoy rest securely only
on the basis Of popular education The extraordinary
events which have recently occurred in the country
have just LETT and Of which you, gentlemen, sure,
have been intelligent Observers though not from
point Of view as that from which them, demon
srate with force Of evidence which IL is impossible
resist that the widest and unlimited suffrage is
adequate security for the public liberty unless those who
exercise II are duly enlightened Another great lesson
which the experience Of that country mpressvey teaches
you will allow TO add is that no instruction for any
class Of society safely be relied on unless il is bot
toned the solid basis Of religion Let u.s. then, gen
temen, one and all, give our hearty and united support
to every generous and weconsidered effort to extend
and improve systems Of public instruction We have
able and experienced leaders in this great work here pre-
sent in Visitors and Professors of the University who
have been pleased to join to-day and whose enght-
ened lead shall be proud to follow in so noble cause
Another great want of State, am happy to say,
has been already most wisely and literally provided for
refer n system Of improved and accelerated commu-
nicaton which shall penetrate every part our terrific
ry bring It's hidden and untold riches into day. and waken
up the dormant energies OF our population life and
activity Virginia hitherto has been like sleeping giant
unconscious Of the power that sumbered in her arm.
The railway whistle will her from her dreamy
pose stir her up deeds worthy Of her ancient fame
for it Is the physical energies only but the moral and
intellectual faculties also that stimulated by these
busy Of communication, which bring mind into
contact with mind, while they open new channels for
and supply incentives industry The school
and the locomotive twin missionaries Of ciyza