Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-22
ALEXANDRIA. ID. C.
WEDNESDAY, MORNING. FEBRUaRY2a. 1852.

RIP This day being set apart as a season OF
res, and rejoicing, no paper will be issued to-
morrow.
Uashiaston's Birth Day.-Wirh what emo
lion, Of patriotic joy will the arrival Of this day
be hailed by millions OF ourhappy countrymen!
The preparations for its celebration have been
- =, teusive as the boundaries of the Nation.
There is not city or town, aud hardly village,
throughout the vide expanse of our Union which
!, no, 10 share in the general demonstration of
respect TO the memory Of the Father of his COun-
,ry. The spectacle will be one Of great moral
subIimty Ii will dif,r from the senseless adu-
la,ion paid by European nations to their llvi ng
kings or the unmeaning paseantry exhibited 10
honor Of their dead princes. II will be the no.
maze Of free hearts to the virtues Of noble
mind-the gratitude Of honest citizens for the
services Of one of their own number, superior
70 them, not by dignity of birth or abundance of
riches, but, surprising all, in elevation Of cha
racter-in singleness Of purpose-in recttnde
of inlentiOn-in purity of aetion-in greatness
of seeds-and in the noblest attributes of man.
The homage is unsolicited-it comes spontaneous
ly and freely. 1t i, displayed in every variety
which patriotism can prompt, and will rebound
TO the credit Of our beloved country.
An attempted eulogium upon the .'mighty
dDad." from US. would be vain and unnecessary.
The tongues of an hundred orators will this day
BE- employed i'll speaking the praises of Him who
..ls above all praise" Theirs is the honored
task Of recounting the story Of his life. and hold
ing up his glorious example to the admiration Of
their fellow citizens.
Nav we not hope that this Centennial Ami
versary may have the happy effect of infasing a
spirit Of brotherly kindness into all the members
of this great contederacy. To them belongs the
fame of Washington, and to their united care is
entrusted the honor of preserving entire the in
,herlance which he so largely aided in acquiring.
and which, "dying, he begueatked as precious
legacy' to those who were to follow him. viii
they dishonOr his memory, or sully their own
fame, by disregarding his precepts OF attempting
to dissolve our blood-cemented governmental
His afectonate solicitude displayed on this sub
ject, in his Farewell Address, ought never TO be
forgotten. The unity of government, (which
constitutes US one People," he declared ought to
be dear to us. IL is" said he, the main
pi'lar in the edi6ce OF your real independence;
the support Of your tranquility at home-y our
peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperi-
~; Of that very liberty which YOU so highly
prize You should" he added. "cherish cor
dial, habitual and immovea6le attachment to il;
accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it
as the palladium Of your political safety and
prosperity; watching for its preservation with
jealous anxiety; disCOnn'enancingw whatever may
suggest even a superstition that il can in any
event be abandoned; and indignantly, frown,ng
upon the first dawnlng OF ever, attempt to alien
ate any portion Of our country from The rest, or
enleeble the sacred ties which now link together
the various parts"
These words of wisdom aud this lesson Of pa.
triotlsm may well be repeated on this day. sacred
TO 'hs wemory of WAsHIxGroN! God grant
that they uay sink deep into the hearts Of hls
children. and that their effects may be visible
throughout the iaud.