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


ceased, BY which the remains were placed I'M
der the disposition of Congress. Here the
| matter has rested until this dav. That Con-
gress Is pedg cd to carry into effect this design
| there was no doubt, and this was deemed by the
Committee an appropriate time for the purpose.
The Committee cannot doubt that the family at
Mount Vernon will readily consent to the re-
moval proposed in the resolution. In reference
to tho place OF the intermcnt, ho would state.
that thu sc who were charged with the erection
OF the Capitol. had prepared, with view to the
Ultimate fulflment of the design proposed by
the Congress Of 1899, a tomb beneath the RO-
tunda, which was ready for the reception Of the
remains. These were all the explanations call
ed Tor by the occasion. and he would conclude
with the expression of the hope, tina. as little
time was allowed for the necessary arrange
ment, preparatory to the execution of the mea-
sure, the resolution would pass through Its Sc
Veral stages, by unanimous consent this day.
Mr.. TAZEWELL was extremely sorry, he
SAID, TO oppose the resolution. 1t was obviously
the result Of an impulse of feeling. and he did
not think that any resort should, i'm such body
as this, be had to feeling, % a motive to action.
Tie would endcavor briefly to explain his views
without reference to those motives, by which he
was sure that the decision of the question would
be governed. He cpncurred with the gentle
man from Georgia, in tho opinion, that if the
wishes of the dead were entitled to respect
any sublect-they were in relation to the
then one OF simple fact. In constituting the will
OF the great man, whose remains proposed
| to be removed, we need not perpex ourselves
with the enquiry, whether we can make out Of
1T any contingent remainder, or executory de-
| wise, but merely endeavor to ascertain what
were his feelings in regard to the subject of his
in'erment. We must suppose MIN to have pos
sessed the feelings of an ordinary man, and we
must give to his directions the same construc-
tons which we would give to the orders
of an ordinary man. He surely did not
lnhibt his countrymcn from removing his
remains; but in reference to their future
disposition, he expresses tho wish that they
should rest in the place which he indicates
The old vault Is in decay 1t is not fit to re-
ceive my corse. | will that new vault be built
and L will that my mortal remains be therein
deposited, together with those of my family
that, as we lived together together we may be
IN the dust, and together ascend, at the last
summons. These were his wishes, and he re-
lied with confidence upon the respect of he
countrymen and friends for their fufment to
the letter. The old Congress which existed
prior to the Union, decreed to General Wash
ngton an equestrian statuc.-That pledge also
stands unrcdeemed. In the year, 1901, tina,
resolution was brought up aud Congress refused
to give it effect, for the avowed reason that
WashiDgtons station in the world was not to
be elevated by paltry tricks. In the
ges OF barbarism and Ignorance, when no
thing could be brought to the human
heart, except through the medium of the eye,
monuments and speciacles were resorted to.
But since the invention of the art of writing
which speaks to the understanding, the fame of
ll'ustrious men spreads over the earth, and be-
comes known to the whole race of civilized men,
Why then should we put Washington on the
same level with ordinary men? 1t was this view
winch induced Congress 10 pass by that pledge.
Woshngton's Will was written but few days
before his death. Congress passed the resolu-
ton requesting his family to subject his remains
to their disposal but few days after his death,
and it was impossible, in the nature of things,
that they should have been acquainted with the
wishes eXpressedin the Will by the lamcntcd tcs-
tator. The assent given by the widow to tho re
quest, while her loss was yet recent, s. her grief
undated, could hardly be deemed as authority
from her for the removal Of the remains. He
knew nothing of the fact, but he took it for
granted that such wife had not, in the brief
space of time which had elapsed since her be-
reavement, prycd into the Will of her deceased
husband. Mr.. II. here referred to the appli.
cation made by the State of Virginia to the late
Justice Washington for the remains, and his
refusal OF the application, as proof that the
family at Mount Vernon opposed to the
design of the resolution. Mr.. II. could not
reconcile to his feelings the separation, at
this late day. of the remains OF the de-
parted husband from those of the partner
of his life. In life, they were insepara-
should not be separated; and you now propose.
in violation ofthe sanctity ofthe tomb, in disre
gard of the sympathies common to the human
heart, in contempt of the expressed wishes OF
the deceased husband as left in his will, to sepa
rate them Let us view this subject as states
men, and look at the effects of the measure pro-
| posed by this resolution. AS matter Of feeling
he was opposed to it. Do you think you honor
this great man by removing his remains hi
their Every nation, age, CLINE and coun-
| try, produced its great men, and the last great
man generally deemed the greatest. A
hundred years have passed by since the birth Of
General Washington, and we bring his remains
in pomp to the Capitol. Sometime hence, ano-
Their century will have elapsed since the birth CT
some other great man, and his remains mus: be
placed by the side of those of Washington
| Who will hereafter discriminate between the
mode adopted of honoriDg WashiDgton's re-
MAINS, and that by which we should honor the
memory of the elder Adams, of Thomas Jeffer-
son, of James Mcnroc? There was no reason to
doubt that, in performance Of this precedent, the
ashes of the ustrious Washington would, of
ter time, mlngle with those Of some The
hoped not wor,blces) Presidents. IF you wish
to honor the memory Of Washington, leave his
| character to the charge Of history-but do not
| attempt this Romish ceremony-do not expose
his bones to the hazard Of contrast with the
bones Of any body to whom, in party times, a
similar honor may be awarded by party zealots.
No good, says the old adage, ever comes from
disturbing the ashes Of the dead; much evil, no
| good could come from this measure. Mr.. T..
| felt deeply on this suOicct-for tho living place
of Washington was Virginia, and Virginia was
his burial place. Do you think we arc willing to
part with his ashcsi What right have you to in
| trude into our domain, and insult the feelings of
the whole Slater Not even the assent OF the
proprietor of Mount Vernon, the representative
OF the great deceased, could confer upon YOU his