Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-04-15

Published by request of the "N asington Society,""
An address, derered by Mr.. WILLIAM C. VhNABlE. on
Tie part Of the Wdslj,gon Society," IN, Fatnsior, Col
legc, Lexington, Pirgiaia, February 22d, 1925.
Fcilotc CHscns-Ne have assembled, this day, com
memorae the virtues, and to render just tribute the
invaluable services of departed hero and berefctar
hero whose spirit animated every design that formed
TO achieve indepemeucca benelcor, Writes
aud patriotic conduct contributed full enjoy
of that liberty which his valou Obtained II we
look forwards aud attempt to calculate the benefit which
take retrospective view OF the unvaed prosperity of
our couny;if we mark her grand aud steady march in
all that great, and in all that is no5le are the in
evitdhlc consequences of insttuonsand rccoIlec
that his iustrumentay the whole chiefly attributable
we will find nducr.neni for Joining In uufcgned
demonstrations OF gratitude for his services cur
admiration OF his character. Few nations been
tunate to possess Observation-Disclosures have seldom
teheld victorious Cheftan, laying aside his sword and
healing the wounds which his country has received from
ruthless enemy: History furnishes e examples of vctor
generously squirting the alluring prospects persona
2ggrandement, and audahy exertng themselves to esa-
bsh the liberties of their country and the happiness of their
feiiow-men No-the dictates of ambition too frequently
Predomnae; and triumphant commanders, disregardng
remonstrance of parotism and bursting asundcr the sa
cred ties which bind man to man, have often elevated
Themselves upon their Frustrated rights and privileges
How peculiarly favored, then the nation, which can beast
OF the iilurious Washing ona man, blending III. cour
age OF hero with the wisdom of and viz
tues of patriot How richly do such qualities
be honoured-how deeply regretted their loss by
the people of enlightened and independent communitv
1t should he TO answer no ponpous purpose
fulsone eulo5y-that we dedicate this day reme,
ordnce OF the departed Washington. More DISTINGUISHED
motives ought t" ANIMATE his countrymen: they should as
pure as the man they honour. TO expose injustice OF
IS ram 'ni 10 show ITS conScquences;to his
poits; remind Americans pcris privations of
o. evolutionary u9gle, and the price which ler-
ties were bou2hto hold mis- up adnira-
ton OF the Woodland to impress his preceps and example
upon tie minds OF all who aspire political distinction
should influence in celebrating This anniversary his
birth Hence nations may behold the effects oppression
and njusicrA leans the invaluable of their
pivlesesnd political asponts the perpetual render of
esteem where they adhere their countTvs wclfae;-and
the detesaton in which deeiiccn of confidence is ever
held hen such considerations operate, as
Sured that Washington is longer the object egard and
Whtn the recurrence oil the I'D OF February uneed
the liberty oil America is irrecove ably lost.
he horneSs Ct e-the complicated crcums auccs ur,-
de! w'c must act;the inf Soilty Of gcnns;-and tn,
ieebeess Of intellectual powcrsemeraly disouaIif us
tor filling many different stations with honour advantage
But in light view the OF Washington
IL leaves the impress of greatness. In whatever he
called upon he increased value ufhs eputa
ton in the esiimation of his men; and their
ing situation preeen evmces the disiingu~ d abilities
which ne displayed in performing their will In the rea
tions of private life he stands unrvaed As warrior he
was ehteflsing PRUDENT courageous and meTcif-enter-
pfsng III forming and maturing plans establish our indie
pendence prudent and courageous in executing the and
~ counleractng the intentions his antagons-and mer-
cIfu III extending the hand kindness the miserable viz
TINS OF the fortunes of vat As statesman powerful
mind stored with useful knowledge, him to see the
true interests of his country and adopt proper mea
suIes for Their promotion.
To illustrate these facts and to hib his IN -,
proper colours must the history country; to
the long, arduous and doubtful with Britain which
terminated in the acknowledgement of our independence and
winch placed the United States OF America in conspicuous
station among the nations of the earth.
The sangunlry continental into which connexiop
with the House of Hanove had involved Gea Britain-
her incessun and stupendos Efforts preserve the balance
of power iii En- opethe foreign uotenates which sb
subsdsed and the consequent increase the expenses of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT her resources, and almost inexrca
py "nOaaSed her hnin"es On every hand her ministers
discovered that the supply we re
had already been extended insuferabe lenotl-and
her people were clamoous in their denuncations Of her
policy and restless beneath the ntolerabe pressure
burdens.
Amongst her expedents to obtain competent e,epue
she unfortunately Tor erse resolved American
colonies. So this resolution of the rotbsr cont
known in America, it produced the greatest
uou;-and the most urgent noes agans, en- n;
uhabe procedure, were Immediately transmitted to Eng
aud The ministry however, declared, that these colonies
were planted by Bnain;-tha they nourshed bv her
kindness and protected by her power-and that vbei bc
situation demanded it, she bad right to tax and thew az
loyal subjects, bound to submit its exercise The
coonists acknowledged the many obligations they were I'm
der for projections but denied the right Of parliament In
impose taxes where there representation. They
claimed the nnunitie5 Of British subjectstcy demon
sraed to the world that Britain had been taxed
without being represeuted aud finally they appealed TO
the British nation ITSELF know if it consistent with
that spirit Of freedom by which had been animated
lheI fenonances were treated with contempt consid
cred as the Offspring Of spirit The ministry
persisted IN asserting their right tax-hey enacted and
repealed cOcrcve regulations nd when their vacilane
PI'y bad heightened the Dissatisfaction universally pre-
Yacnt ~ tire colouies,hey attempted enforce com
phance with their demands.The coous resisted; they
retired om the bloudstaaed plains Of Lexington resolving
10 OBTAIN inst redress by the sword which been t
TO their earnest supp.icatious sincerely hoping that
just and noble cause would and Ultimately
prevail aganstthe unreasonable exacons Of their oppres
r.
The Declaration Of Independence was an uneouivocs
preston Of their sentiments, and widened breach that