Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-02-25


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY e5, 1919.
Alta meeting oft Washington Society OF
Alexandria, at Browns hote': on 'len-
day the 92nd of February, 1872 he io'-
lowing resolution was adopted:
Ps,ol,.a unanimously, That the thanks
Of this Society be presented to 8'ehara
Herru Lee, esq for his very elegant ora
,;on delivered this morning and that ne
he rrouested to furnish copy thereof for
publication.
Extract from the minutes.
C. P. THOMPSON, Secretary.
GRAFTON.
FELLOW CITIZENS:
At the courteous request Of highly res
pec,able society of Alexandria. | have I'M
dertaken to make an effort, feeble one'
am conscious, to sustain the honors which
!, has since its Institution, paid, on this bis
natal day, to our illustrious Washington.
The dignity of subjects appropriate to this
occasion the wisdom and eloqurnce Of
tbose who have preceded me: the presence
Of so numerous and so refined an audience,
cyclic a diRidence unfelt before-a diifi-
d.nce under which should sink, did not
the reflection cheer me, that even an at
tempt to pay an eulogium to Chief so ad'
m;red 10 a citizen so ardently beloved,
would be indulgently viewed; that the pale
taper which | present, would be lost IN the
lus,re Of the splendid theme.
The scene too now witness, is an AMI
mating one under its influence my bosom
.lates with emotions almost unutterab!e !;
il assures me that the genial and exalted
feelings of freemen still glow within the
breasts of Americans for this scene IS vo-
luntarily displayed in honor of liberty s Ia
yorite hero, Of freedoms triumphant cham
MON. II is anlmatipg; for it esinces the
characteristics of an interrupted people
gratitude for great and signal henehts
Observation-Disclosures for gallant and ge-
uerous ACKNOWLEDGMENT for wisdom,
and due estimation of unsulled merit
Il is animating; for il attests that our ma
tioual prosperity is yet unimpaired, as we
have not met here to brood in mourniul ST.
lance over the recollections of blessings once
enioyed. 1t is animating; tor 1t demon
strates TO the world that our political hoer-
ties are yet safe and entire that without
fear or restraint,--yes, above all controul,
we. the countrymen of Washington. may
meet before the eyes of the rulers OF our ma
t;op and indulge many of the bnest feel
;nrs Of our raiure.-We have not with
drawn from the scowling and jealous irowns
of a tyrant to celebrate our former trl-
smphs; we have not retired. small and
melancholy band, togloomy sol'tudes we
have not fled behind Helicon and Oeta, to
commemorate virtues and exploits, even
the meaiion of which might be punished as
m insult, because felt as contrast; We
need no, whisper the deeds OF our ances-
tors. nor lit the finger OF silence, lest we
provoke the angry mandate of power, bid
ding us TO cease o6r prais of liberty and
Washington.
In the consciousness OF the possession,
and in the tull truition of such high prero-
CALVES. let us raise our minds in grateful
and fearful alteration to that great Being,
bv whose mercy or Justice empires rise or
fall. Whether we reflect on the past, or
ponder ON the present, or indulge Joyous
anticipations of the future, let US not tor a
moment forget HIM who was the mighty
deIiverer of our forefathets; who is ourvi-
cilsnt guardian; and who may be conci'i-
atei as the omnipotent protector OF our de-
pendants.
It has been said, that "to perpetuate the
memory Of meri.oriors individuals, is, in
effect. an essential service to the commu-
pity." The truth of the remark has been
FELT from the earliest ages; and history
shows It TO be the dictate alike of untutor-
ed and civilized man. We perceive It as
well in the rude mound Of the forest, as
in the Inscriptions on polished statues and
stately mausoleums. Ne listen to the SEN
,iment in the wild song Of the savage, and
read !, in the measured numbers OF The poet.
1t is the voice OF nature which proclanms
the praises Of benefactor. II is the adj
monition of wisdom that we honor the great
,nd nnnd for il is a beautiful harmony of