Next to the notice which the opposition has found itself called
upon to bestow upon the French emperor, a distinguished citizen of
Virginia, formerly President of the United States, has never for a
moment failed to receive their kindest and most respectful attention.
An honorable gentleman from Massachusetts, of whom I am sorry to
say, it becomes necessary for me, in the course of my remarks, to
take some notice, has alluded to him in a remarkable manner. Neither
his retirement from public office, his eminent services, nor his
advanced age, can exempt this patriot from the coarse assaults of
party malevolence. No, sir! In 1801, he snatched from the rude hand
of usurpation the violated Constitution of his country,--and _that_
is his crime. He preserved that instrument, in form, and substance,
and spirit, a precious inheritance for generations to come,--and
for _this_ he can never be forgiven. How vain and impotent is party
rage, directed against such a man! He is not more elevated by his
lofty residence, upon the summit of his own favorite mountain, than
he is lifted, by the serenity of his mind and the consciousness of
a well-spent life, above the malignant passions and bitter feelings
of the day. No! his own beloved Monticello is not less moved by the
storms that beat against its sides, than is this illustrious man,
by the howlings of the whole British pack, let loose from the Essex
kennel! When the gentleman to whom I have been compelled to allude
shall have mingled his dust with that of his abused ancestors,--when
he shall have been consigned to oblivion, or, if he lives at all,
shall live only in the treasonable annals of a certain junto,--the
name of Jefferson will be hailed with gratitude, his memory honored
and cherished as the second founder of the liberties of the people,
and the period of his administration will be looked back to as one of
the happiest and brightest epochs of American history!