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EXTRACT FROM AN ORATION ON THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF GILBERT MOTIER DE LAFAYETTE.

1. FELLOW CITIZENS :-Ages have passed away since Lafayette said: "May this immense 'Temple of Freedom' ever stand, a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, a sanctuary for the rights of mankind! and may these happy United States attain that complete splendor and prosperity which will illustrate the blessings of their government, and for ages to come, rejoice the departed souls of its founders !" but ages are the years of the existence of nations.

2. The founders of this immense "Temple of Freedom" have all departed, save here and there a solitary exception, even while I speak, at the point of taking wing. The prayer of Lafayette is not yet consummated. Ages upon ages are still to pass away before it can have its full accomplishment; and for its full accomplishment, his spirit, hovering over our heads, in more than echoes, talks around these walls.

3. It repeats the prayer which from his lips fifty years ago, was at once a parting blessing and a prophecy; for were it possible for the whole human race, now breathing the breath of life, to be assembled within this "Hall,' your orator would, in your name, and in that of your constituents, appeal to them to testify for your fathers of the last generation, that, so far as depended upon them, the blessing of Lafayette has been prophecy.

4. Yes! this immense "Temple of Freedom" still stands, a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, and a sanctuary for the rights of mankind. Yes! with the smiles of a benignant Providence, the splendor and prosperity of these happy United States have illustrated the blessings of their government, and we may humbly hope, have rejoiced the departed souls of its founders.

5. For the past, your fathers and you have been responsible. The charge of the future, devolves upon you and your children. The vestal fire of freedom is in your cus tody! May the souls of its departed founders never be

called to witness its extinction by neglect, nor a soil upon the purity of its keepers.-John Q. Adams.

The above beautiful and eloquent extract is from an "Oration on the life and character of Gilbert Motier De Lafayette, delivered at the request of both Houses of the Cougress of the United States, before them, in the House of Representatives, at Washington, on the 31st of December, 1834, by Hon. John Quincy Adams." Lafayette, who was born in France, in September, 1757, came to America at the early age of 19, which was soon after the adoption of the "Declaration;" and, voluntarily joining the army of Washington, devoted himself, his life, and fortune, to the patrotic and righteous cause of North American independence. In the year 1785, he returned to France, where he remained about forty years, and then he revisited the people of the United States, by whom he was hailed welcome,-thrice welcome. His reception was cordial, glorious, and triumphant. After the expiration of a brief period he again returned to France, where he continued to take a deep interest in the concerns of the American people, till the close of his life. The noble spirit of liberty which animated Lafayette, seems to prevade the mind of his eulogist, ex-President Adams. Let us all cherish it “as the immediate jewel of the soul," and exclaim:

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1. GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY :—In all human probability this is the last time that I shall ever address a jury of my beloved county of Columbia. I have had the honor of entering this hall of justice for about forty years; but prejudice and corruption never entered it before. Prejudice is an innocent passion, so long as its possessor is unconscious of its existence; but when he becomes conscious of the existence of prejudice, it becomes corruption. Every thing, gentlemen, that I have attempted to introduce, in the shape of testimony, has been clipped by the long scissors of the law.

2. You have arraigned at your bar, a young man of highly respectable parentage, and interesting to all the circumstances connected with this important transaction, just bursting from the bud of infancy, and opening in the blos

blossom of youth. I have not been accustomed to address a jury of my beloved county of Columbia, with trembling or fear, or under circumstances calculated to deter me from the discharge of my duty. Now, as on former occa. sions, I see in that jury box, men whom I have long known, and whom I honor and respect.

3. But, gentlemen, I know you to be but men, subject to the like passions, prejudices, and frailties of our nature. I tremble from another cause. I have been accustomed to address the minds of a jury, unwarped by prejudice, unruffled by passion, and undisturbed by feeling. I know the load of prejudice which has weighed down my client's hopes. Nothing has been left undone which could be done to operate against him. The most loathsome slanders have been circulated in the public prints, and even the altars of our God have been defiled by this vile spirit of perse

cution.

4. The learned counsel from New York has compared me to a lion, that ferocious animal of the forest; but, gentlemen, I rather resemble the eagle soaring aloft in his pride of place, and pouncing, if you please, upon a dove, and scattering his feathers to the four winds of heaven. But let me tell you, gentlemen, if eagles pounce upon no better vermin than the witness upon whose testimony the opposite counsel relies, nobody will be injured by it.

The above extract is from the speech of the late Elisha Williams, addressed to the jury upon the trial of Charles Taloo, for the murder of young Crandall of Kinderhook Academy. The court interrupted Mr. Williams several times during the course of his remarks. At the close of them, the court peremptorily stated, that he must desist in casting dishonorable and uncalled for reflections. Mr. Williams, with perfect self-possession, and consummate address, turned his attention to the court, and, in an undertone of great force, said: "Heaven forbid that I should detract from the dignity of the court. I am willing to give it all the credit which is due."

ON KNOWLEDGE.

1. Pleasure is a shadow, wealth is vanity, and power, a pageant; but knowledge is extatic in enjoyment, peren

nial in fame, unlimited in space, and infinite in duration. In the performance of its sacred office, it fears no danger, spares no expense, omits no exertion.

2. It scales the mountain, looks into the volcano, dives into the ocean, perforates the earth, wings its flight into the skies, encircles the globe, explores the sea and land, contemplates the distant, examines the minute, compre hends the great, ascends to the sublime: no place too remote for its grasp, no heavens too exalted for its reach. De Witt Clinton.

De Witt Clinton, son of James Clinton, a Major General in the revolutionary army, was born in Orange county, New York, in 1769. He was elected Governor of his native State, in 1817. Being repeatedly re-elected, he was acting as our chief magistrate at the time he died, which was February 11th, in the year 1828. His services in the cause of education and internal improvement, evince that he was a patriot and a philanthropist.

THE INFANT'S DEATH.

1. To the dark and silent tomb
Soon I hasten'd from the womb,
Scarce the dawn of life began,
Ere I measured out my span.

2. I no smiling pleasures knew,
I no gay delights could view,
Joyless sojourner was I,
Only born to weep and die.

3. Happy infant! early bless'd,
Rest, in peaceful slumber rest,
Early rescued from the cares
Which increase with growing years.

4. No delights are worth thy stay,
Smiling as they seem and gay,
Short and sickly are they all,
Hardly tasted ere they pall.

5. All our gayety is vain,
All our laughter is but pain,
Lasting only and divine

Is an innocence like thine.

SPEECH OF A MINGO CHIEF, TO LORD DUN. MORE, GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.-1774.

1. I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him no meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed and said: "Logan is the friend of the white men.

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2. I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living crea ture. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it: I have killed many : I have fully glutted my vengeance.

3. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace; but do not harbor a thought, that mine is the joy of fear. Lo. gan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one.

LADY RANDOLPH'S SOLILOQUY.

Logan.

1. Ye woods and wilds, whose melancholy gloom
Accords with my soul's sadness, and draws forth
The voice of sorrow from my bursting heart—
Farewell awhile, I will not leave you long;
For, in your shades, I deem some spirit dwells ;
Who, from the chiding stream and groaning oak,
Still hears and answers to Matilda's moan.

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