Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-02
RICHMOND WHIG.
REMARKS OF Mr. MAGRUDER, OF ALBEMARLE,
Ar me BANQusr IN HoNoR OF Ex-GOy WISE.

REMARKS OF Mr.. MAGRUDER OF ALBENARLE,
AT THE BANoUsT HoNOR OF Ex-Goy. WISE.
The 4th regular toast was then read:
4. The FirgiHio Blu of Righ@-The prototype OF
the Declaration Of Independence The great charter OF
yngiuas liberty Supplied material for the chief corner
stone in the fabric OF the Union.
Mr. MAGRUDER, OF Albemsrle said:
Mr. President experience most painful sense of the
compliment aud want Of any claim 10 the honor of be-
inc selected from this cOncourse OF distinguished
here present to respond to the just and comprehensive
sentiment Just annOuncedI may say, all Virginia here
assembled in the persons Of her chosen representative
the guardians of her rights and interests 1t is refresh
ing 10 turn aside for season. from the dsractng issues
OF the day aud dwell for moment upon the virtues OF
former worthless Sir, honor ourselves. in endorsing
anew and Offering fresh homage to the Virginia Bill Of
Rights For that great State paper is the first written
charter containing the fundamental principles and
nyioabe safeguards FIR free republican government,
adopted by any State nation throughout the world.
Aud those whose giant minds then concentrated the
of Magma Charta the petition of right, and all the
other munmens Of transatlantic liberty not only boldly
proclaimed them to the world, but galanty maintained
aud upheld them in battle and in blood, against power
hitherto unconquered, and deemed unconquerab'e.
Aud those master minds traehsarted TirqiniH
i,soUr sireS-and it is but tribute OF fal affection
aud gratitude pay them in recalling to reco!ec-
tons their virtues and some OF their hOnOred names
There Cary, and Mercer and Lee and Henry, and
Madison and like Saul of Tarsus head and shoulders
men, With lights Of history experience Of other
nations guide them truly theirs arduOus task
Maturest judgment largest wisdom and most thorough
craftsmanship were all required To perfect their work.
Nasous mind combined them all and forth came the
Virginia Bill of Rights full formed and perfect like Mi
uera from the brain of Jove and the tests of time and
political yicssitudcs have but confirmed and established
its claim to immuuble excellence.
Two Conventions have since been assembled in Nr-
gnia to change her organic law but there stands Ccorge
Hisoa's Bill Of Rights at the head Of three Constitu-
tons No proiauc hand has dared TO aSsli it, and
none ever will; it will endure monument Of the spen-
lid genius and profound philosophy Of George Mason
The trainers OF Federal Constitution, too wise and
eminent as they were bowed down in homage before it,
For that the grand treasury from which they drew
The great principles and safeguards OF freedom found ir
that hallowed instrument.
Most graceful then, the act Of tac Virginia Legs-
turc ia placing the statue of that august hard by
her Capitol IN close companonship with Henry and JET
rrson and Marshall and the father Of his country himself
forever 70 remind US Tho giant minds Of the earlier
iay, of our Republic, and to ncc Us TO deeds OF high
cmpriSe.