Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-03-01


few days before his death. Congress passed the
resolution, requesting his family 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 expressed in the VIII by the lamented
tcstator The assent given 10y the widow To the re-
quest while her loss was yet recent, and her grief
undated, could hardly be deemed authority from
her for the removal of the remains. lie knew no.
thing OF the fact, but hc took it for granted that such
n wife had not in the brief space of time which
had elapsed since her bereavement, prycd into the
VIII of her deceased husband. MIR. Il. here refer
red to the application made 10y tho State OF |irgi-
MIA To the late Justice Washington for the remains
and his refusal Of the application, proof that
the family ut Mount Vernon were opposed TO the
design OF the resolution. Mr.. Il. could not recon
Gle 10 his feelings the separation, at this late day, Of
tire remains of the departed husband from those of
the partner of his life In life they insepara-
BILE; he willed that, in the tomb they should not he
separated; and you now propose, IN violation OF the
Soncty of the tomb, in disregard oil the sympathcs
common to the human heart, i'm contempt of the
expressed wishes of the deceased husband, as left
in his viii, to separate them. Let It's view this
subject as statesmen and look at the effects of The
measure proposed 10y this resolution AS matter
OF feeling, he opposed to it. Do you think you
honor this great man by removing his remains
mther! Every nation, age cline and country, pro-
duccd its great men, and the last great man was
generally deemed the greatest, A hundred years
have passed by since the birth of Gen. Washington,
Some time hence another century will have eaps-
ed since the birth OF some other great man. and his
mans must he placed by the side of those of Wash
ingon. Who will hereafter discriminate between
the mode adopted ofhonoring Wasliington's remains,
and that by which should honor the memory of
the elder Adams, of Thos Jefferson, of Jas. Monroe?
There was no reason TO doubt that in the perform
ancc of this precedent, the ashes of the illustrous
w ashlngton would after n time, mingle with those
of some (,c hoped not worthess) Presidents. If
you wish to honor the memory Of Washington leave
his character TO the charge Of history-but do not
attempt this Romsh ccrcmony-do not expose his
bones TO the hazard Of contact with the bones of
any body Ito whom, in party times, similar honor
may be awarded 10y party Zealots. No good, says
the old adagc, ever comes from disturbing the ashes
OF the dead: much evil, no good, could como from
this measure. MIR. Il. felt deeply this subject
for the living place of Washington was Virginia.
and Virginia was his burial-place Do YOU think
we are willing to part with his ashes? What right
have you TO nrudc into our domain, and insult the
feelings OF the whole State? Not even the assent
ot the proprietor of Mount Vernon, the representa-
tive of the great deceased, could concrupon YOU this
righ'. we honor the memory of Washington at least
as much as you do and we prefer that his remains
shall rest upon the soil of his nativity In every
vlcW whether he regarded the wishes of the dcccas-
ed, the respect due to the feelings of his native State
or tho moriiiying consequences which the measure
would ultimately lead, Inc felt bound TO protest
against the resolution. Mr.. Il. concluded the re-
marks, OF which the above is n sketch by ASSURING
the gentlemen who had taken part in the design, that
he appreciated and honorcd the feelings which had
dictated to them the course they had pursued.
Mr. Blhb spoke at some length in support of the
resolution and i'm reply to the remarks of the Sena-
tor from Virginia but his remarks were inaudblc in
the gallery where the reporters are placed.
Mr. Tyler said, that nc perfectly concIlrrcd in the
view OF his hon colleague lie could not sec that
any good could possibly result from the adoption of
the resolution. Could it add to the fame of the de-
ceased. No. Would his bones rest more securely
under the walls Of the Capitol, than in the simple
Sepulchre at Mount Vernon? No. Let the Great
Dead sleep the sleep of death, said Mr. Tyler in the
tomb chosen by himself Let him not be exhibited
IN the Capitol as a spectacle to gaping crowd.
Mir Holmes said, Hat The Scythians when nyinr
before the armies Of Alexander, were fauntinply
asked when they would rally and fight? When
we reach the graves of our ancestors" was their
reply And well might they expect 10 conquer on
such Il field of battlc for, said Mr.. Holmes reyc-
renee for the tombs of the dead and desire to pre-
serve them from polluiion natural to all nations
savage or civilized. And how, in the present case
can both these ends be better obtained than bv trans
porting the remains of the father of his country into
The same cdiice i'll which its Legislators assemble
ne thought that the ashes of Waslin" ton rcposcd
bcncah them, would prevent them from wandering
rom the paths of pairotism sacrificing public
COOL 10 private ambition.
Mr. Forsyth said be willing to conccdc that
II Nashingtons remains were removed, they ought
To be brought 10 the Capitol; hut he was clearly OF
opinion that the mighty dead ought TO be left undis-
urbcd in the grave which he had selected for him
self On this ground. Mr.. Forsyth said, he should
oppose the removal of the body. lie did not think
that any vote, passed by Congress- could either add
TO, or diminish from, the name of Washington That
was far above the reach of any man, or body of
men, 1t had been contcnded, he said that great re-
Spoct ought to be paid TO the memory and remains of
Washington, tribute of national gratitude Mr.
r. feared that national oscntation would be the trcr
phrase Nh. T.. concluded by observing that his
respect iorthc memory of George Washington would
not allow linn 10 consent to the Dissertation of his
scpuclrc.
Mr. Clay sad that the relation in which he stood
TO the committee, called upon him to say few
words by way Of explanation. Aud that they should
be but few He had sympathized with the feelings
shown by the Senator from Virginia, and had re-
spccted Tie warmth and the cloqucnce with which
that gentleman had expressed those feelings He
did not wish amy more than that gentleman To- scpa-
rate IN death those who had during life enioyod I'M
diminished happiness: but at tie same time he con
sldcrcd, that on so delicate subject, the family
OF Washington were much better qualified to- decide
than himself, or even the honorable Senator from
virginia. When application was made to judge
Washington for the remains of his iIustrious rca-
tive, no objection of the kind coquently and feel
in3Iy set forth by tho Senator from Virginia had
been mndc by him. Mr.. G. fully coucurred i'm the
sentiments expressed by his worthy colleague and he
would state that the craftsman of the present resolI-
ton had consulted the records of the transaction of
IID, with view so TO word it that, while national
gratitude was testified, private feeling should be re-
spected lie thought that if desire existed TO re-
move lie body or person of Mrs. w. with that of her
iluStrlous husband, the presiding officers of the two
Houses could take measures necessary to carry such
purpose into effect, and the resolution had been so
q M sod not 10 ls.n.rf ff,f IL.