Richard Henry Lee

“ He never admitted that idle conceit that genius needs not the aid of labor, and the treasures of knowledge. He knew that the strength and bow of Philoctetes would be but of half their value, without the golden arrows of his quiver. As an orator he may be justly described in the sketch, he himself has so happily drawn of a celebrated Statesman of the Revolution. ”

“ It is therefore, with singular propriety, that the Washington Lyceum has not only recorded on its minutes, its sense of the just fame of Wirt, but has determined to exhibit to its fellow citizens within the sphere of its action, his character formed as it is of all the virtues which should distinguish a citizen in public and private life, and which alone can constitute a durable claim to their gratitude and imitation. ”

“ Lived his sires from age to age.”
Wirt inherited much of the native character of the Swiss. His love of freedom, his boldness and personal independence, his perseverance and industry, his gentleness of manner and vivacity of spirit, in boyhood, in youth, and in manhood, might be claimed for the honor equally of his ancestral and his native land. Even in childhood, he gave indications of future greatness which a sagacious and affectionate aunt (for he had early lost his parents) perceived and duly valued. ”

“ But the study and the profession of the Law, above all, is the nursery of a learned, firm and incorruptible judiciary; the boast of the modern Science and Art of Government, and incomparably the most valuable blessing enjoyed by free & civilized man. This Institution of our systems, it behooves a people to guard from every extraneous influence, and anxiously to preserve from the innovations or attacks of ignorant and designing demagogues. ”

“ Few characters can be found more admirable than that of Wirt, and not one in our country, whose career illustrates with a more gratifying light the nature of our civil and political institutions; and at the same time, affords equal incitement and assurance of success to virtuous and lofty aspirations. ”

“ Thus the eulogy that gratitude pays is not only delightful, but profitable, since it consecrates as examples for honorable imitation, their characters and actions. The deeds and characters of great and good men, form the most interesting subjects in the history of all nations. They constitute a safe and rich fund of wisdom, not only for him, who, in the retirement of private life, seeks guides and maxims for the performance of social duties, but for those, who, indulging a legitimate ambition, desire to deserve and to receive the due rewards of patriotic devotion to the public good. ”

“ The Christian, too, may find in the life and death of Wirt, another example of the triumph of Religion, over the corruptions and guilt of man, “in behalf of all that sanctifies, exalts and saves him.”
The character and career of Wirt should be diligently studied by our youth, and be often contemplated by those of riper years. His fame is civic, unblemished, and beneficent. ”

“ Having followed our great countryman through his career, to that “inevitable hour” which awaits our race, let us pause to consider the legacy he has left to the living and to his country in the virtues of his life and the glory of his name. This is, indeed, the most appropriate office of this occasion.
The fame of Wirt principally rests on his eminence as a jurist and an orator. On this eminence he stands in honorable association with the most admired and renowned of past times and of the present age ”

“ It exhibits the influence of virtue and genius over the minds of a free and intelligent people, and furnishes another demonstration, that Liberty and free institutions are propitious to the developments of intellect; that signal virtues cannot fail to receive an honored recognition; that although the reproach of the Roman Poet and Philosopher may, often with juristic, be cast on mankind,
“———qui stultus honores”
“Saepe dat indignis, et famae servit ineptus,”
yet that knowledge, virtue and patriotism will, at length, attract their regard, and secure their homage. ”

“ The opinions of great and patriotic public men not only disclose truth but give confidence and assurance to those, who already perceive it. In no country, are the opinions of such men, more to be valued our own. The peculiar structure of our political Institutions, both State and Federal, creates this value. It may be well therefore, to state the opinions of Wirt on some leading points. He maintained that the Congress of the Union, had the Constitutional power to protect and encourage Domestic Industry. ”

“ In our own history, it is well known, what class of men were the leaders in our revolution. Of the 53 members who composed that most illustrious body, the Continental Congress of 1775, 48 were lawyers. Burke no loss distinguished for deep insight into the causes of human conduct than for gorgeous eloquence, attributes the accurate knowledge of their rights and the bold spirit displayed in the proceedings and public papers of the Colonists, to the number of lawyers in the Colonies and their popularity with the people. ”

“ They not only increase and insure the prosperity of a people, but they redound to their glory. They attest their taste, their wealth and their power. They shed on their national character the told radiance of a peaceful fame, far surpassing the glare of a military halo. The Roman Roads have given more celebrity to Roman policy, than the conquests of the Scipios’ and the Cæesars’. The canal of Languedoc more glory on France, than the achievements of Catinat and Turenne. ”

“ These opinions of Mr. Wirt, of are more than ordinary value. In the former part of his life, he had denied the these powers to Congress. Upon mature deliberation, he changed his opinion. We may well prize the conclusions of such a mind, for the subjects are of the highest importance to our whole country. No Country on earth is susceptible of greater and more extensive works of Internal Improvement than this; and surely there is not one other, whose interest, whether we consider the sources of national wealth, or political Union, more obviously and imperiously requires them. ”

“ The road the Simplon, an enduring monument of the better genius of Napoleon, defying the lofty heights and immense caverns of the Alps, and uniting two nations in the friendly relations of Commerce and individual intercourse, is a far more grateful subject of contemplation, than the fields of Marengo and Austerlitz. ”

“ With the Roman orator, it may be regretted, that a virtuous and accomplished citizen has not lived to form a son for the Republic. His daughters, under the guidings of his graceful mind, have richly repaid parental solicitudes. They have not wasted their time in the follies of fashion, tho’ allured by its syren songs. ”

“ Besides this dignified demonstration fit for the contemplation of philosophers and statesmen, the life of Wirt, exhibits a most encouraging instance of the success, which, in our age and country awaits the industry of youth and the active labors of manhood ”

“ Thus, in the language of Erskine, like himself a powerful advocate, “we find all that is great, or wise or splendid or illustrious amongst created beings, all the minds gifted beyond ordinary nature if not inspired by their universal Author for the advancement and dignity of the world, tho’ divided by distant ages and by clashing opinions, distinguishing them from one another ”

“ This is here mentioned, as it will appear, that the opinions he then sustained on that interesting subject, he did not change, when he was afterwards called to assist in the administration of the Federal Government.
At this period of his life, his friends justly appreciating his powerful talents and extensive knowledge, pressed him to abandon the path of professional life, for the field of political distinction. His mind, however, was too elevated to be allured by the illusions of the popular honors, of a politician by profession. ”

“ As a writer, Wirt has established a flattering literary fame. His productions are standards, and are among the Classics of our Literature. His first work, the British Spy, has gone through nine editions. Of his later works, a competent critic thus speaks. "We look with gratitude and wonder on a gentleman of the bar in whom the severest labours and highest offices, and amplest emoluments and brightest laurels of his profession, have not stifled the generous ambition of letters ”

“ That people, who shall weaken its foundation, the tenure of its offices, upon the condition of uprightness in the discharge of its duties, betrays a fearful symptom of relapse into a state of anarchy, barbarism and crime. ”