the present king returned to France, and when Napoleon was aiming at
unlimited power as perpetual dictator, are we not obliged to acknowledge,
that few men; very few, indeed, have done so much for the social happiness
of their fellows; that very few deserve the gratitude and applause, which
may be justly claimed for this very eminent asserter of the rights of man.
Success is too often made the criterion of human merit. It is matter of
great congratulation, that our revolutionary struggle was successful; and
it is believed, that Lafayette, by his influence in France, and his
personal exertions here, contributed very much to its happy termination. In
his own country, afterwards, he was not so fortunate in attaining and
securing the object at which he aimed. But to the accurate and deep
observer of character and events, it will probably be apparent, that no
one, however resolute, could have established a government in France in
1790, upon the just recognition of the rights of man, and the exercise of
power, (even limited power) in the reigning Prince. That Lafayette was
upright and disinterested in his purpose, perhaps, no candid impartial man
will deny; that any one could have produced a more fortunate issue, is at
least very doubtful. He did not want decision, or energy. He often acted
with great promptness, and gave proof of ready mental resources. He was
also brave, and fearless of personal danger. Other men might have conducted
with more energy; but it would have been at the hazard of a thousand lives
and in violation of constitutional principles. That Lafayette was not more
efficient, or more despotic, when he commanded the national guards, and the
populace of Paris went to Versailles and insulted the royal family; or when
the Jacobin faction, in June 1792, were ready to denounce him and to
prostrate the constitution, did not argue want of energy but the influence
of principle and a salutary love of order.

When it is recollected what important and disinterested services the
Marquis de Lafayette had performed for America, in the most critical