Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/422

 398 SKETCHES OF THE

future generations to an imitation of his virtues, and an emulation of his fame —

" Resolved, That the executive be authorized and requested, to procure a marble bust of the said Patrick Henry, at the public expense, and to cause the same to be placed in one of the niches of the hall of the house of delegates/'

Nothing could have been more unfortunate for the success of this resolution, than the time at which it was brought forward, and the mover by whom it was offer- ed. The time, as we have seen, was during that paroxysm of displeasure against Mr. Henry, which even his death, although it had abated, had not entirely allay- ed: and the mover, was a gentleman who had himself, been recently counted on the repubHcan side of the house, and was now also, smarting under the charge of apostacy. All the angry passions of the house, imme- diately arose at such a proposition, from such a quar- ter. A repubhcan member, moved to lay the resolution on the table; the gentleman who offered it, rephed with warmth, that if it were so disposed of, he would never call it up again. It was laid upon the table, and has been heard of no more.

Thus lived, and thus died, the celebrated Patrick Henry of Virginia; a man who justly deserves to be ranked among the highest ornaments, and noblest bene- factors of his country. Had his lot been cast in the republics of Greece or Rome, his name would have been enrolled by some immortal pen, among the expel- lers of tyrants and the champions of liberty: the proudest monuments of national gratitude would have risen to his honour, and handed down his memory to future generations. As it is, his fame as yet, is left to

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