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XXXI.—­ON WASHINGTON’S POLICY.

[Speech on the Anniversary of Washington’s Birthday, Cincinnati.]

A splendid entertainment was prepared, to which six hundred persons sat down.  After the toasts many energetic speeches were made.  Mr. Corry said:—­

The time has come for our mighty Republic to stand by its friends and brave its enemies.  There is a confederation of tyrants now marching across the cinders of Europe.  Are we to take no heed of their aggressions at our doors?  It is for us to aid the people of the old world against their tyrants, as we were aided to get rid of ours.  Ohio will not fail in her duty.

The president of the evening, Mr. James J. Foran, observed:—­

In 1849 we held in this city the first meeting, I believe, in the United States on this subject, and expressed our indignation at the unwarrantable interference of Russia.  We declared it to be our duty, as a free and powerful government, to notify to Russia, that her interference in the affairs of Hungary must cease, or the United States would cast their strength on the side of justice and right against tyranny and oppression....  In the great struggle which is approaching between liberty and absolutism we shall be compelled to act a part.  It will not do to rely altogether on either a just cause or the interposition of Providence.  It is well to have both of these; but to add to them our own exertions, is indispensable to human success.

Here, “in the wilderness,” in the bosom of the Great West, in the city of one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, whence emanated the first public move in America for his personal cause, and also his liberation from captivity, do we welcome Louis Kossuth, the champion of self-government in Europe.

Kossuth in response said:—­

Mr. President:  I consider it a particular favour of Providence that I am permitted to partake, on the present solemn occasion, in paying the tribute of honour and gratitude to the memory of your immortal Washington.

An architect having raised a proud and noble building to the service of the Almighty, his admirers desired to erect a monument to his memory.  How was it done?  His name was inscribed upon the wall, with these additional words:  “You seek his monument—­look around.”

Let him who looks for a monument of Washington, look around the United States.  The whole country is a monument to him.  Your freedom, your independence, your national power, your prosperity, and your prodigious growth, is a monument to Washington.

There is no room left for panegyric, none especially to a stranger whom you had full reason to charge with arrogance, were he able to believe that his feeble voice could claim to be noticed in the mighty harmony of a nation’s praise.  Let me therefore, instead of such an arrogant attempt, pray that that GOD, to whose providential intentions Washington was a glorious instrument, may impart to the people of the United States the same wisdom for the conservation of the present prosperity of the land and for its future security which he gave to Washington for the foundation of it.