Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-28

Isle. listen to the surge, and when you re-
! feet on the instability of all earthly thiogs,
learn that 'sTrue Greatness is founded in
Virtue"
Our liberties accomplished, we proceed
1 to try the experiment OF elf-government.-
| Out of the rude materials of confederation
system is formed, at once wise, liberal, and
| pure, and the iIlustrious citizen, who had
so nobly defended the rights of bis country in
the field, is called to preside in her supreme
chair OF state.
The commissions Of the European sove-
regnties, old and corrupt systems crum-
bling to ruins. the rage of anarchy, the fer.
vor of revolution, all contributed to cloud
the political hemisphere, and fill the world
with storms. w ashngton surveys the tenn
pest, with steady eye, then taking a libe-
bera policy towards others for his chart, the
true interests of his country for his compass,
he grasps the helm of state, in his better
hand, and nobly braves the gale. High
ran the seas of contention, many were the
rocks and quicksands which lay in his track,
but true as the needle to the pole. the daunt-
| less pilot steers his steady course, and favor
ed by Providence, anchors the national bark
in the haven OF peace, honor and safety,
1t was during this period, that tumuit oil
opinion prevailed, which shook our republic
| 10 lis very centre The politicians OF the
old world, in their phrenzy for fancied
| liberty, sought to draw into its vortex, an IN
FAINT nation, just enjoying the benefits OF ra-
tionaI freedom. In this political eferyes-
| ne, all merits were forgotten. Nelther
virtues the most exalted nor services the
most rare. were respected IN this general
wreck of feeling, ard Of honor. Motives the
most pure, were slandered as selfish, actions
the most disinterested, were illuminated as
unworthy, till at length the demon OF discord
| fixed her hated throne IN our once happy
| land But ah thou never to be forgotten
spirit of party could you not in your rage,
| have spared that venerable man, who had
grown grey in your country's service, who
| in all her vicissitudes, had ever been the d.
rector ofhe destinies. the protector OF her
Liberties, her benefactor and hel frend-and
then tc attempt to impeach the integrity OF
| Washing ton, Of him whose generous and pa
| trotic soul, knew no passion paramount TO
| that ofhis country'S good. for sure il ever
| there lived man, who served his country
| for his country's sake, that man was our
Washington: but vain indeed was the attempt
as veil might the miserable Ant, seek to o.
verthrow the earth-fast Andes, or the hum
ofthe Beetle, expect to be heard by the
laundering roar of Niagara's cataract, for the
integrity OF our chief was,
As some tall cliff, that rears its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the
storm;
Though rolling clouds around its base are
spread,
Eternal sunshine, settles, on It's head"
After laborious political career, the aged
chief again retires to the sweets OF domestic
life, first having bequeathed TO his country
men, those valuable political and patriotic
truths, which his long experience had so am
ply tested, and now il would seem that Da-
ture required rest. but providence ordained
that be, who so long had lived should also
die public servsnt.-At the call OF his
country he knows no age, no duty paramount
10 that of citizen & patriot, and upon that
country being lnsulted by foreign power,
in the winter of his life. he binds the helmet
on his silvery brow, and dies in arms her ge-
neral and patriot.
His public life is summed in few words
by bis courage and ability in the field, he
gave independence to a nation-by his wise
and gnanilnous administration OF her go
vernment, be caused that nation TO acquire
esteem at home, and TO command respect a
broad. and by the illustrious example of his
virtues taught her the blessings of peace,
liberty end happiness.
We have arrived at the most interesting
part OF our tale, and behold our hero, on the
bed of death-close by bis couch stands the
venerable companion of his early years, the
sharer OF his tolls and glories, the warm and
affectionate If end of his bosom. de gTaspss
his hand, it was the same hand which he had
grasped near half century before, but an
how different its pusatlon then, and now
then it beat high with youthful ardour, tor
twas on the eve OF his earliest combat, now
it beat slow at the approach OF death. ne
trembling physician torgets his skill, tor 10
nature obeys her noblest impulse, and the
hand of long remembered attachment, is
mOiStened with tear, companion OF Wash-
jngton forever halIowed 10 thy memory, be
that tear, for it gushed from the eye oil an he
70 to reward the affection ola friend. Turn
ing tow ard the afflicted circle, the dying pat
riarch, pronounces his last ard ever memora-
bic words-l am not afraid 10 dle--hear then
ye christians, Lear then and rejoice, hear
then We inidels, hear then and tremble--
many there are who are not afraid to live
but few who live are not afraid TO dle--and
when the sceptic, shall be stretched upon
his last pillow, when that summons is given,
which is never repeated, when the hand Of
the clock tells him that his hour is come,
will his last words be like those of the chris
tian hero, will be in the strength of pure
and happy conscience, exclaim-I am not a.
fraid to die. Believe me my friends in that