The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-02-08
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From the New York Evening Post
Col. Benton's History Last Visit o.
Lafayette TO the United States.

In the summer of the year 1924, Gen.
Lafayette, accompanied by his son. Mr..
George Washington Lafayette aud un-
der an invitation from the President, re.
visited the United States after a lapse Of
forty years lie was received with un.
bounded honor. affection and gratitude
by the American people To the survi-
vors of the Revolution, it was the return
Of an brother; to the new generation.
born since that time it was the appari
tion Of an historical character familiar
from the cradle ; combining all the titles
to love, admiration, gratitude, enthus
iasm which would act upon the heart and
the imagination of the young and the
ardent. He visited every State in the
Union, doubled in number since; as the
friend and pupil of Washington, he had
split his blood and lavished his fortune
for their independence. His progress
through the states was a triumphnl pro-
cession, such as no Roman ever led up
"A procession not through city but
oyer L contlnent-followcd. not BY cap
tlves in chains of iron, but by a nation in
the bonds Of affection 10 him it was
an unexpected and overpowcring rcccp-
tion, His modest estimate of himself
had not allowed him to suppose that lie
was to eiectrify continent. He expect
ed kindness, but not enthusiasm. He
expected to meet with surviving friends
not to rouse young generation As he
approached the harbor Of New York, he
made inquiry Of some acquaintance to
know whether ho could find hack to
convey him to hotcl2 Illustrious
man. and modest as illustrious Little
did he know that all America was on
foot to receive him-to take possession
Of him the moment he touched her soil
to fetch and to carry him-to feast and
applaud hm-to make him the guest Of
the cities, states and the nation. as long as
he could be detained. Many were the
happy meetings which he had with old
comrades, survivors, for near half cen
tury, of their hardships and dangers
and most greatful TO his heart it was to
see them, SO many Of them. exceptions
to the maxim which denies TO the begin
ners of revolutions the good fortune to
conclude them, land of which maxim his
own country had just been so sad an ex-
empliiication,) and to see bis own old
comrades conclude the one they began
aud live to enjoy its fruits and honors
Three of his old associates he found ex-
Presidents Adams, Jefferson and Madi-
son \ nuiovinor tha rocpoot arl oQ,oo,;o,,
of their country, after having reached
its highest honors Another. and the
last one that Time would admit to the
Presidency. (Mr Monroe) now in the
Presidential chair. and inviting him to
visit the land of lis adoption. Many of
his carl associates were seen i'll the two
Houses Of Congress-many in the State
Governments, and many more in all the
walks of private life, patriarchal sires,
respected for their characters, and yener.
ated for their patriotic service.
1t was grateful spectacle, aud the
more impressive from the calamitous
fate which he had seen attended so many
of the revolutionary patriots of the Old
World. But the enthusiasm of the young
generation astonished and excited him.
and gave him a new view Of himself
ard such as he would be seen in after
ages Before them, he was in the pres.
ence of posterity and in their applause
and admiration he saw his own future
place in history, passing down to the lat
est time as one Of the most perfect and
beautiful characters which one Of the
most eventful periods Of the world had
produced. Mr. Clay, as Speaker of the
House Of Representatives, and the or
gan of their congratulations to Lafay-
ette (when he was received in the hall
of the llouse,) very felicitously seized
the idea of his present conformation
with posterity, and adorned anu ampli.
hed 1t with the graces of oratory lie
said
"Tho vain wish has boen sometimes
INDUCED, that Providence would allow
the patriot, after death, to return to his
country, and to contemplate the immedi-
ate changes which had taken place-to
view the forests felled, the cities built,
tho mountains levelled, canals cut.
highways opened, the progress of the
arts, the advancement of learning. and
tho increase Of population. General,
your present visit to the United States
IS the realization of the consolug object
OF that wish hitherto vain. You are in
the midst Of posterity Everywhere YOU
must have been struck with the great
changes, physical and moral, which have
occurred since you left us. Even this
very city, bearing venorated name, a.
like endearing TO you and to us has since
emerged from the forest which then
covered its site In one respect YOU be.
hold us unaltered, and that is, in the
sentiment of continued devotion to lib. |
erty, and of ardent affection and pro-
found gratitude to your departed friend.
the father Of his country, and to your
lllustrious associates in the field and in
the cabinet, for the multiplied blessings
which surround US, aud for the very
privilege of addressing you which l now
have"
lie was received in both Houses of
Congress with equal honor; but the
Houses did not limit themselves to hon |
ors they added substantial rewards for
long past services and sacrifccs-two |
huqlred thousand dollars in money. and |
twenty-four thousand acres Of fertile |
land in Florida These noble grants did |
not pass without objection-objecton to |
the principle, not to the amount The in. |
gratitude of Republics is the theme ofany |
leclaimer il renuirod q TnciLns 10 snr |