Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-18

'"Sihiu unu had respected the warmth
una the eloquence with which that gentleman
mad expressed those feelings. He did not wish
any more than that gentleman to separate in
neatn those who had, during life, enjoyed undi-
mnshed happiness: but at the same time he
considered, that on delicate subject, the ia :
uhv OF w ashington were much better qualified
TO decide than himself, or even the honorable
Senator from Virginia. When the application
was made to Judge Washington for the remains
OF ms 'llustrlous relative, b;eetion Of the
KIND, SO eloquently and feclinqly set forth by
ne Senator from Virginia, had been made by
nun. Mr.. Z. fully concurred in the sentiments
expressed oy his worthy colleague, and he
would state that the craftsman of the present
resolution had consulted the records of the trans
action OF 1899, with view go to word it, that
whiie natiohal gratitude was testified, private
feelings should be respected. He thought that, il
desire existed TO remove the body or person of
mrs. w ashington with that of her illustrious hus-
oand, the presiding officers OF the Houses could
lake measures necessary to carry such purpose
into effect, and the resolution had teen so ex-
pressed as to leave to them this discretionary
power. 1t had been argued that the clause OF
General Washington's WILL which was first
read ny the Senator from Georgia, was written
oy MN with the express Intention of preventing
any such public homage being paid to his re-
mains as was now contemplated. Mr.. C.. could
not concur in this Interpretation of the will of
the tcstator; indeed it was contrary as It seemed
to him, to all we know of the simplicity of
w nshngtons character, to suppose that in PEN
h'ng the VIII, he could have contemplate cd the
request OF his countrymen which was after
wards made for the possession of his remains.
-one OF the principal reasons in fuvor of the
proposed measure was. the danger that the
vault In winch the remains were deposited, was
iahie, from its situation, (within 100 yards of
the fotomae,) to be entered and robbed. He
would undertake to say, that in any one of the
roo the tomb OF its honored contents. Indeed
II mad been animated that such an attempt was
designed to be made by some foreigners. whose
OBJECT was, to transport the remains to Europe,
with he knew not what purpose. Who could
wish the bones of the Father of his country to
oe veneratcd as relics, or exposed to exhibition
IN foreign countries? His will had been fulfilled
to the very letter. Thirty years, his body had
iad IN the tomb which he had designated and it
would be now no violation of that will to. pl ace
his remains in the magnificent Capitol of the
hepuohc OF which he was the glorious father
ana FOUNDER. III member of Congress be SO
unfortunate as to die in this City, we award to
nm public funeral, and a marble monument of
some expense. Can we 60 home to our const-
tuents and say, that we have refused that res.
pect TO the Father of his country which we
would have claimed for ourselves? You may,
out cannot render such an account OF our ste
wardship in this matter. The State of Virginia,
1t had been said, had claim to these re-
mains. NO man was more willing than he
to- accord respect to the claims of that State,
when he was assured that the State, in its
public capacity. had advanced the claim No
public act of that State, of which he had any
knowledge could be construed as supporting
an exclusive claim to the remains Of her dis
tingushed son; and if such n claim had been
made, that State wos too noble and generous
TOO much accustomed to make sacrifices TO the
Onion-to refuse our application for the re-
MAINS The Senator had expressed fear
that other Presidents would be laid by the
SIDE OF ashngton--that other men would,
by our successors, be os much adored as we
now adore Washington, and that no dscrim-
nation between him and them would be made
lie knew we were too apt to deem the last
great man as the greatest, and the disposition
OF the.peope was. he knew, to make idols of
their favortes; but he would himself discrimi
nate between Washington and any man who
lived from Adam down, and he was willing
to trust to his successors for the continuance
OF that yeneration of Wushingtons character,
which would, forever, place him incompara-
bly, higher in their estimation, than any other
man who had as yet arisen among them. But
should it please the Almighty to bestow upon
the country the blessing of another Washing ION
he could not, for one, wish that the same honors
now proposed should be withheld from him.