Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-02-23

49,
The Southern l. terary Messenger for
March, is published IN adrance. 1t contains
Mr.. John r. Thompson's Ole on the luaugu-
ration of the Equestrian Statue Of Washing
ton in Richmond, yesterday, and Mr.. Hun
TIERS ADDRESS. The latter is a very fue
production unostentatious aud generally
plain in its style-but classical-well con-
ceived-well expressed. and appropriate
His portraits Of Washington the soldier. and
Washington the statesman, are carefully
drawn. We will give the concluding words:
"Bu. I must not close this address with
out one word Of affectionate adj% DURATION
to thee, Virginia, and bidding you all bail,
oh most glorious mother Take us, thy
G .ildren with thee TO the tonbs OF your
mighty sons that we may learn from your
meditations something of the secret OF
YOUR own great heart. Does it occur to
YOU, as you pend in sorrowing pride over
these monuments Of your dead, that per-
haps the wiser part was taken by the daugh-
ter of Scipio aud the mother OF the Gracchi,
who refused to bear more children lest
she should. be shamed by the comparison
of the younger with the elder born? Is
it the sacred question OF your bosom,
"Quid tacednt Stemmaa = when you con-
tract your present with your past! pray
you, by all the love we bear you. to har-
Dor no such reproachful suggestions In your
bosom. The wealth Of your achievements
may lie in the past, but never was a mother
richer in the affections Of her children
Every drop Of your waters and the very dust
of your soil are as dear to them as if they bore
the charm of life itself. Your great name
and it's associations constitute the fascination
aud tie spell which call up the deepest
emotions of 6lisl love and pride 10 the bear;s
OF your children. They may not add to the
lustre of your name, bot they will preserve
and defend it against reproach ard disgrace.
They no longer bring curule dignities to your
house, nor do lictors and fasces mark their
approach to your door, but they bear you
what after all is the richest treasure and best
def nee of a state, the loyalty and devotion
Of a united family, which knows no higher
reward than a mothers love, and 20 prouder
object of ambition than a mothers glory -
Permit me, then, to say, il the love which
inspires it can excuse the presumption
of the advice, that if you wish to renew,
In some future generation, the giories OF
your mighty line. you must be true to
yourself. to the traditions Of your past
to the long established principles of your
public policy. and the peculiar genius of
your people. For how long did American
civilization follow the line Of their camp
fires as your pioneers passed through the
wilderness! Why may there not spring
up again within your household the lights
which NAV lead to a higher culture and
to a happier, q more refined and a more
powerful combination Of the social aud
individual elements whose proper organi-
cation constitutes the strength Of human
government? l believe. in my soul, that
such would he the results Of the faithful
and further application of the principles
of your own great school. Equally firm
ia nv conviction. that the lights which
should direct that application are to be
found in the lessons which bsve been taught
by your own sons, whose teachings have in
them more of prophetic wisdom than all the
leaves of the Slbyl. Such are the achieve
nents which place Virginia amongst the
states and nations Of the earth, where Wash
ipg,on. her own illustrious son, stands
amongst meu,-the worlds great paragon
the cynosure OF his race"