Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-02-25


was faithful in the execution of the laws.
Awaiting himself of all the talents aud
virtse OF his countrymen, without regard
I TO the narrow and selfish distinctions of
party, ne composed an admiuistra Of
the most splendid and useful materials
whicA his country afforded.
Abundance waving on our plains; the
spires OF cities rising from their ashes the
busy hum of innumerable arts !; social ease
| and security, endeared by the roar of dis.
tant war; the vessels of all the nations of
the globe crewcing our ports our own
returning from the remotest regions--the
shores of the Baltic, the Archipelago and
the Levan,, the Isles of the southern ocean,
and she frozen boundary of the icy seas,
attested the quickeuing impulse Of liberty,
and the wisdon of that government which,
succeeding colonial dependence and natl
onal baskruptcy, derived the happy spring
OF It's operations from the genius of Wash.
ington. iIlus.rioas statesman! such are thy
laurels. Fame has indeed woven for thy
brow, a rich wreath and, in it, there is
not leaf which philosophy would pluck
away, or innocence refuse 10 adorn with
her smile.
Having conducted his country to the
term OF his hopes, to prosperity and glory /;
with that grandeur of soul which ever ele.
waited him above human greatness, he re.
tired from his civil, as he had donefrom his
military station, amidst the plaudits Of a
grateful people, to a shade which he had
planted himself, to be the shelter and the
eolace Of His declining years And here he
could have glidsd gently down the vale of
life, had not the governments Of an unfor-
tunate nation, long osclllasing between an
archy and despetism, dared TO assail the
dearest rights of that country, In whose
service, he had spentso many years of his
life. But the alarm occasioned by those
preparations IN the ports of France, WHICH
new movement of caprice diverted from
America to Egypt, had scarcely subsidized,
when q sudden death robbed us of the
swordof NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. universal
sorrow spread throughout America Was
ever man more beloved while living! Was
ever death more deplored He died
indeed, IN peace with Con and his own
conscience, and such death, as reflected
alustre on his whole life. He was cot a.
5 eraid TO die. No! Piety to Gop had been
mingled with all his affections, sense of
his providence had regulated all his
thoughts and actions. He was about to
appear before that merciful being, to whom
he had SO often recommended his below.
ed country; who had guarded him in the.
hour of battle, and who now supported him
in the more awful hour OF DISSOLUTION,
Celestial music descended on his ear, the
gates of heaven opened to receive him.
He fed to the bosom of his COB.
What principally occurs to me, here TO
remark. my audience, is, that time which
has done so much to bury the fallings of
other heroes, has yet done no more for,
the memory of Washington than to sof.
ten our grief for his loss. In comparison,
of the age OF which | justsook occasion'to'
speak, and from which have come down to
US so maay illustrious names, he died in.s
deed but yesterday. His imPertcctions,
his vices, his crimes (if any he had) are.
vet as fresh as his virtues. We are now
.pronounring Judgment on his whole life,
and in assigning him his portion Of terres,
trial glory, all his imperEections should be
weighed along side of his virtues. he has
left behind him no power capable OF Sc
ducingby its smiles or silencing by rs
frowns, the reproaches of truth. Come
forth then we accasers of Washington, and
we shall he heard. Alas the only tongue.
which could have uttered, aud the only
hand which could have recorded his:
faiIings is cold and monsioaless in the,
grave with himself.
IF. in such character. my audience,
there be any thing TO regret, 1t is, that Its
apparent perfection eleyates Il, as It WERE
above human calamity, and, therefore, al