Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-17

lvoiyes on me FAR inferior 10 those immor.
TAI worthless, to pay the last sad tribute oil
applause 10 their departed coadjutor and
friend. am emboIdened, however, TO
(, engage in this difficult enterprise by CON-
sidering that although t.a.Ax Of the public
virtues OF The deceased we're not person.
any known to me, yet some of them, aud
NOT The least important, have come with
IN my own observation, and that have
long been most Intimately acquainted With
nose which adorned his private Iife.--
HIS extraordinary goodness to me, that
kindness which induced him 10 take me
when an unfortunate orphan into his
house, ard to treat me as a second father,
aiforded me peculiar opportunities offeel-
ing and knowing the god-like spirit which
animated the bosom of him who now lies
cold and insensible before US. The ga.
cred lies ofgratitude therefore bind me not
10 Permit the funeral of my dear, my no.
Die beneiactor 10 be unattended with
an euiogy expressed with truth and since
rity, however Imperfect it may be in other
respects. Indeed am most encouraged
on this OCCASION by The reelection tbst
truth, plain, artless Sc unadornedis all that
Is hsediul in an attempt 10 celebrate a
ehatacter noted for his plainness and re-
puo',can simplicity. True it is that no.
thing that can be said can benefit him.
The dull, cold ear Of DEATH cannot
De reused by the voice Of honor, nor a..
Weakened by the lamentations Of those who
SURVIVE. Perhaps he hears not oar praise,
or Is SO engaged by the bliss he now en-.
joys as not to regard it. III might appear
therefore that funeral solemnties al e use
less and unavailing. But such is not The
case. They serve at least as an exam
PIE 10 the living. and may be the means
CT communicating ard keeping alive the
sacred hte olvirtue. ] am also enthusi-
astic enough to believe that The souls of
the good and worthy, even after death.
may be gratified by knowing the manner
IN which their memories are regarded in
ms world that they look down SC observe
he sorrows OF their friends, ard leioice
IN the sound Of their praise. Very pro.
badly this is one OF the rewards eta we'll
spent life; else wherefore has heaven inn.
planted IN the breasts of mep The desire
Q. iarne IN future ages as an incentive to
yFiuous act;onss shall therefore pro-
coed 10 describe as faithfully as l can, the
career OF glory through which this exalt.
ed patriot, firm republican and honest
man has passed, trusting that The Affect.
on OF you all tor the dead will induce you
isyorably to accept a well-meant though
ieep,e endeayor TO pay the respect so e,
m'nentiy due TO his memory.
In calling to your recollection his yir.
tues, my own inclination would induce
me TO begin with those OF his private life,
IN which confess my own hear, is more
particularly Interested but as his public
virtues were of the greatest importance,
not 10 aiew persons only, brt to an Ame.
tica, the superior dignity Of the subject
requires me 10 mention them in the FIRST
place. Ofthcse, let me turn your atten,i.
On 10 the uncommon patriotism, which was
conspicuous during the whole course of
his long and ussfuliifc. Tie first remark.
able example, the degree in which
he possessed that divine virtue, was his
conduct ct the commencement of the A.
merIcan Revolution. La those perilcss
Gays, when life, liberty and property
were placed at hazard when ali that is
beie most deer by the mind of man de-
pended en- the doubtful issue of war
when death and coisiscaloD would have
been The fate, it they had proved unsuc-
cessfui, OF those who opposed the tyrant
hinS OF Creat.liIllain; our venerable pa
tf'ol, Mr.. Wythe, was firm Sc undaun,ed,
and z-alously attached to the cause ofhis
country. AT that important time when
the greatest men America ever produced
were chosen by her voice 10 save her
rom Destruction, TO whom did his fellow.
citizens look up as one of her deliycrers
10 George Wythc,to him v HON we now
n so much cause lament, for alas he
can serse no longer those be so lenderly
loved. lie was one Of that famous Con.
gress, who assembled on the 18th of
May, l775, and did not separate until
they declared the Independence of Anne.
rica. He was one of those who signed
That ever memorable declaration by which
they pledged "their hves, their fortunes,
and their sacred h5nor" In maintain and
defend the violated rights oftheir country.
lie was an active, useful, and respected
member ofthat body, the most enlialten-
ed, patriotic and heroic that perhaps ever
existed in the world, in esteeming and
admiring which all nations now coneur.