Who was it, that lifted the veil which had for ages cover ed the intellectual world, analyzed the human mind, de fined its powers, and reduced its operations to certain and fixed laws ? It was Locke : but Locke too was a christian.
To these may be added, Hale, learned in the law ; Addi 8071, admired in the schools ; Milton, celebrated among the poets ; and Washington, immortal in the field and the cabi net. To this catalogue of professing christians. may now be superadded the name of ALEXANDER HAMILTON--a name which raises in the mind the idea of whatever is splendid, whatever is illustrious in human nature ; and which is now joined to a catalogue which might be lengthened—and lengthened—and lengthened, with the names of illustrious characters, whose lives have blessed society, and whose works form a coLumti high as heaven—a column of learn ing, of wisdom, and of greatness, which will stand to future ages, an eternal monument of the transcendent talents of the advocates of christianity, when every fugitive leaf, from the pen of the canting infidel writings of the day, shall be swept by the tide of time from die ktuthil tif the world, and buried with the names of their authors in oblivion.
To such as have only a superficial knowledge of the character and services of the late general Hamilton, the extraordinary grief manifested by the pubee., on his death, would appear excessive. They may say, the States have produced many great men. Some ptececr-d him to the tomb ; and others yet live. Why then shoulu tiffs de parture be mourned, as if it were not a lot to be expec.d ? Why did, and why do still, the American people mourn In. fall, as if all were lost ? Although general Hamilton had, for some years, withdrawn from public office to the bar, and had been, in some measure, out of the view and con templation of his countrymen, there was nevertheless a splendour in his character, that could not be contracted within the ordinary sphere of his employments. With really great men it is as with great literary works: the ex cellence of both is tested by the extent and durableness of their impression. The public has not suddenly, but after an experience of five and twenty years, taken that impres sion of the just celebrity of general Hamilton, which no thing but his extraordinary intrinsic merit could have made, and still less could have made so deep, and maintained so long. It was not a party ; for party distinctions were con founded by the event ; it was the nation that wept for its bereavement. It wept as the Romans did over the ashes of Germanicus. Its sorrow was thoughtful, foreboding, took possession of the heart, and sunk with no counterfeited heaviness.
It is here proper, and not invidious, to remark, that as emulation, excited by conducting great affairs, commonly trains and exhibits great talents, it is seldom the case, that the fairest and soundest judgment of a great man's merit, is to be gained, exclusively, from his associates in council or action. Persons of conspicuous merit themselves are, not tinfrequehtly, bad judges, and still worse witnesses on this point. Often rivals, sometimes enemies, almost always unjust, and still oftener envious or cold, the opinions they give to the public, as well as those they privately form for themselves, are, of course, discoloured with the hue of their prejudices and resentments : but the body of the peo ple, who cannot feel a spirit of rivalship towards those whom they see elevated by nature and education so far abOve their heads, are more equitable, and, supposing a competent time and opportunity for information on the subject, more intelligent judges. Even party rancour, eager to maim the living, scorns to strip the slain. The most hos tile passions are soothed or baffl.<1 5y the fall of their an tagonist. Then, if not sooner, the very multitude will de cide on character, according to their experience of its im pression ; and as long as virtue, not uldrequently for a time obscured, is ever respectable when distinctly seen, they cannot withhold, and they will not stint their admiration. If then the popular estimation may be taken for the true one, the uncommonly profound public sorrow for the death of Alexander Hamilton, sufficiently explains and vindicates itself. He had not made himself dear to the passions of the multitude, by condescen..ling, in defiance of his honour and conscience, to become their instrument. He was not la mented, because a skilful flatterer lay mute for ever. It was by the practice of ro art, by wearing no disguise ; it was not by accident, nor by the levity nor profligacy of par ty; but, in despite of its malignant misrepresentation, it was by bold and inflexible adherence to truth, by loving his country better than himself, preferring its interest to its favour, and serving i; when it was univilling and unthank ful, in a manner that no other person could, that he rose ; and the true popularity, the homage that is paid to virtue, followed him. It vas not in the power of party or envy to pull him down : but he rose, as if some force of attraction drew him to the skies. He rose, and the very prejudice that could not reach, was at length almost ready to adore him.