Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/392

 386 Southern Historical Society Papers.

written in a high and pure sense of justice, and deserves a conspicu- ous place in Southern and we also think in our national literature, for manv of the leading events which distinguished the active career of John Tyler w ere national, and have become entwined in the his- toric literature of our people and age, and were above sectional or party considerations or influence.

It is a very beautiful and excellent feature in the history of the highest official stations in the United States — not excepting that of President — that they have been graced by men, not only of exalted talent, but of very extensive learning, scholarship and literary ac- quirements and taste, manifested in writings that have become embodied in the history of the country. This may be said of Adams, father and son, each President of the United States ; of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, distinguished for their writings, and also of Buchanan and Tyler. The same is true of cabinet officers from Hamilton, of Washington's administration, down through many administrations, embracing such learned authors and men dis- tinguished in literature and science as are rarely found connected with official station. Among them may be found Rodney, Gallatin, Wirt, Calhoun, Rush, Kendall, Woodbury, Poinsett, Paulding, Webster, Legare, Walker, Bancroft, Marcy.

It is also a striking truth that each branch of our national Congress has been elevated by many members distinguished for science, litera- ture and authorship. With the United States there is in learning and science — and all the beautiful accomplishments of literature, as in the constitutional forms of government — a true republicanism that ad- mits to favor the deserving and meritorious of all classes, and this constitutes its national nobility reflective of virtue, learning and cul- tivated talent. In most of the European governments we have seen at different periods some genius incarnate itself in a man. France has had its Richelieu, its Voltaire, its Napoleon, and so has other countries ; and, for the time being, these incarnated geniuses made all other tale«it gravitate to it as controlling even the very current of national thought. Happily such is not the case in the United .States. Here every grade of learning and talent has its powers, unimpaired by social or public stamp, and rises and develops its light and strength in any department to which it can truly and justly apply itself. True genius and cultivated talent — with virtue and moral principle ever incorruptible — can, like the rising sun, seek and ob- tain their own latitude until they reach their meridian with ever increasing light, force, purity, and beauty.