The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-12-25
Voice from the Grave,

Extract from Mr.. Webster's speech at
| the dinner in honor Of the centennial
birthday Of Washington, on the 22nd
Feb. 1882, at Washington.
/ Among other admonitious, Washing
ton has left us, in his last communica-
ton to his country, an exhortation
against the excess Of party spirit. A
fire not to be quenched, he yet conjures
us not to feed and fan the fame. I'm
doubtedly, gentlemen, it is the greatest
danger Of our system, and Of our time.
Undoubtedly, if that work should be
overthrow, it will be the work Of ex-
cessive party spirit, acting On the gov
ernment, which is dangerous enough.
or acting In the Government, which is
a thousand times more dangerous; for
Government then becomes nothing but
organized party, and in the strange vic
issitudes of human affairs, it may come
/ at last perhaps. to exhibit the singular
paradox Of Government itself being in
opposition to its own powers, at war
with the very elements of its own cxis
tence. Such cases are hopeless. A
man may be protected against murder,
but can not be guarded against suicide,
so government may be shielded from
the assaults of external forces, but
nothing can save it when it chooses to
lay violent hands on itself.
The extreme solicitude for the pre-
seryation of the Unjor, at all times
manifested by him, shows not only the
opinion he entertained Of it's impor-
tance, but his clear perception of the
causes which were likely to spring up
to endanger it, and which if once they
should overthrow the present system,
would leave little hope of any benefi-
cial reunion. OF all tine presumptions
INDUCED by presumptuous man, that is
one of the rashest which looks for re-
peated opportunities for the establish
ment Of a united government over dis
tinct and widely extended COMMUNE
ties. Such thing has happened once
in human affairs, and but once the
event stands ont prominent excep-
ton to ordinary history; and unless we
suppose ourselves running into IN age
Of miracles, we may not expect its rep
clifton.
Other misfortunes may be borne, or
their effects overcome. If disastrous
war should sweep orr commerce from
The ocean, another generation may re-
new it; lift exhausts our treasury, fu-
sure industry may replenish it; if it ,
ays waste our fields, still, under new
cultivation, they will grow green again,
md ripeD future harvests. II were but 9
tri1e, even if the wallsof yonder cap g
tol we're to crumble, its lofty pillars h
all, and its gorgeous decorations be
covered by the dust of the Valley
These might be rebuilt. But who shall n
the fabric of a demolished "
,overnmentf Who shall raise again i
he well proportional columns of con- :
titutional 1ibertyF Who shall frame =
ogether the skillful architecture which y
mites national sovereignty with State T
ights; individual security with public II
rosperityf :,
No, gentlemen, if the columns fall, they
I'LL be raised not again. Like the CO. Z
scum, and the Partfenon, they will be N
estined to a melancholy, mourfal i'm S,
1ortality. Bitter tears, however, will r,
ow over them, than were ever shed -
yer the monuments Of Roman, or .
+recian art; for they will be the rem g
ants Of a more glorious edifce than pt
reece or Rome ever saw-the edifice ar
Constitutional American liberty. br