Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-05-26

Nav 20. MANY So BSCR!BERS.
At respectable meeting of the citizens Of Fred
ericksburs and its vicinity, held at the Town
Hall, in pursuance of the above notice, on
Saturday evening, MAY elst 1s5l)-Tho-
mas Goodwin, Esq. Mayor OF the Corpora
ton was called TO the Chair, and George Cox
appointed Secretary of the meeting, and the
following preamble and resolutions unanimous
~ adopted:
The desire of Immortality is strapped by ma
ture, as law, upon humanity. But how shall
this wish be sratitiied? The evanescent color
ings of tradition are too frail record. Accord
ingly the building of monuments to departed
worth has been of immemorlal usage. Before
the birth Of letters or of science, in the re-
hottest antiquity, the achievements of he
roic valor, and the lofty efforts of undaunted
patriotisn. found hope Of PS.p~'";ty i" tho rude
unOrnamental pile, or still ruder soul pture. Thus
those glorious deeds, which had otherwise per-
ished from human memory, have been given a
''ocal habitahon," and served, long after their
performance. to animate posterity to generous
emulation. The custom of erecting monuments
20 the mighty dead is not matter of mere taste
or ornament, or useful, simply as an expression
of gratitude il should be cherished by patriots
and statesmen as based upon the souIdest policy.
The pictures and busts of distinguished pro-
genitor have served TO remind his descendants of
their common origin, to strengthen the bond Of
fraterna feeling, to preserve an identity OF inter
ests, and to rouse them to assert and maintain
their ancestorial fame. Nations ale but vast
congregations Of families: the public monuments,
then, Of those who have signaliZed themselves in
the service OF their country, or who are other
wise memorable, are revered alike by all, mast
exer, a correspondent influence upon nations
They will act as barriers to disunion-the bane
Of all governments, and, in the hour of national
danger, strike with electric power every behold
er. These remarks are set forth in reference to
the contemplated monument IN honor of the Mo-
Their OF WASHINGTON. whose claim to such dis
tinctiOn will be universally recognized ia the
STORY Of her unequalled son. On this parsonage
We should not be guilty of the futility-the van
ity--Ot attempting an culogium. Suffice it to
say, his country has thought fit TO award him the
title Of 8 FArusR''-at once his history and the
assurance Of his immortality. Can the name of
WAsHINeToN be too deeply hallowed in the me-
mory of his country? Who that has the feelings
of patricia republican, man-would not
stigmatize the thought as sacrileg,ous? Mrs.
WAsHINGToN presented to her cOuntry, inner
son, its best and brightest boon. Her maternal
lessons instilcd into his mind that love Of coun-
Try, unCOmPrdmlslnS integrity, tnat clear-Slgnteu
wisdom, which were afterwards to be ripened
and displayed on so magnificent theatre! Hea-
then Rome could acknowledge the merits of a
noble matron as reflected in her sons, and give
public testimony Of her admiration and her gra-
titude. And shall republican America do lesss
The association between mother and son, is i'm
mediate and irresistible. Will she not add, then,
10 the expression OF her gratitude, by monu.
ment to the MOTHER Of her beloved WASHING
roxi Truly - her name alone might be her mon
ument;" but since to the mass of mankind, sight
is the medium Of the livelest Impressions. let
the speaking marble embody that name in all its
glorious associations. But we feel condemned
for thus trifling with the patriotic feelings of our
fellow citizens. Where. then, shall this monu-
ment be erected! Is the place of her interment
discoverabe? Ruthless time has, indeed, done
much to obliterate the vestiges of her unhon-
Ored grave; but its locality is known.
An article has lately appeared in the uewspa-
pers Of this town, extracted from the CONNER
cial Advertiser Of New York. wherein the pub
lie is respectfully memoriaised by certain highly
honorable gentlemen "of the town of Frede-
ricksburg and State Of Virginia. and it is strong
ly recommended by them to remove the venera-
BILE remains of Mrs WASHINGTON within tbe