The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-06-22


Wash ngton "Fnst in war; first in peace, aud
first in the hearts of his counlrymen !" Washn ton
is all our own The enthusiastic venera,on and re-
gard In which the people of the United States hold
nm, prove them 10 he worthy of such country man
while his rel uaton abroad reflects the highest honor
on his country and its institutions. ] would cheer
fully put the question day the intelligence Of
Europe and the world, what character of the century
upon the whole, stands out IN the relief of history
most pure, most RESI- ectahle, most sublime; aud
d.ubt not that by suffrage approaching to unanimi
ly, the answer would be w ashington
This structure, by its uprghlness, its sodiiy, its
durability, Is no unfit emblem of his character. HIS
public virtues and public principles as firm as
the earth on which IT stands; his personal motives,
as pure as the serene heaven in which lis summit Is
lost But, indeed, though fit, it is an inadequate
emblem. Towering high above the column which
our hands have buided beheId moi by the inhab.-
tan,s of single city or single State --ascends the
Colossal grandeur OF his character, ard life. In all
the constituents of the onen all the acts Of the 9th
er-in all its titles to immortal love- admiration and
renown-it is an American production. 1t is the en-
bodlment and vindicaon Of trans Atlantic liber
ty Born upon our so-of parents also born upon it
never for a moment having had a sight Of the old
word-nsructed, according 10 the modes of his
time, only in the spare, plain, but wholesome ele-
mentary knowledge which our institutions provide
for the children Of the people-growing up beneath
and penetrated by the genuine influences of Ameri-
| can socety-growng up amidst our expanding, but
not luxurious, MISUNDERSTANDING in our great
destiny of labor, long contest with unreclaimed
| nature and uncivzed man--our agony Of glory, the
war of ndependcnce-our great victory peace, the
formation OF the Union and the establishment OF the
Constitution-he is all-all our own! That crowded
| and glorious life
"Where multitudes of virtues passed along,
Each pressing foremost, in the mighty throng
Contending to be seen, then making room
For q eater mutitudes that were to come 80
that life was the life Of an American citizen.
lclaim him for America In all the TcrIls, in every
darkeDed moment of the state in the midst Of the
proaches of enemies and the misgivng Of fiends-l
turn 10 that transcendant name for courage and for
consolation. To him who denies, doubts whether
our fervid liberty be combined wi h law, with
ORDER with the security of property with the pursuits
and advance ment of happness-to him who denies
that our inst tuons capable of producing exalta-
ton Of soul and the passion of tue gloy-to him who
denies that we have contributed any thing to the
stock of great lessons and great examples-lo all these
| reply 10y pointing to W Washington!
And now, friends and fellow citizens it is time to
| bring this discourse to close
We have INDUCED in gratifying recollections of the
past In the PROSPER y and pleasures of the present.
and in high hopes OF The future But let US Ie-
member that We have duties and obligations to per-
| form, corresponding to the blessings which enjoy.
Let US remember the trust the sacred trust attaching
to the rich inheritance which have received from
our fathers. Let feel personal responsibility,
to the full extent of power and influence, for the
preservation of our institutions Of civil and religions
liberty; and let us remember that II Is only religion,
and morals, and knowledge, that can make men re-
spectacle and happy under any form of Government.
Let us hold fast the great truth that enmmuntes
responsible as well individuals; that govern
ment is respectable which is not just that without
unspotted purity of public fifth without sacred pub
lie principle, fidelity, and honor-no mere forms Of
government, no machinery of laws, give dignity
to political society. Ia day aud generation let
us seek to raise and improve the moral sentiment
that we may look, not Tor degrad d, but for ele
waited and improved future and when we, and our
children, shall all have been consigned to the house
appointed for all living may love of country-and
pride OF country-glow with equal fervor among those
to whom our names and our blood shall have descend
ed And then, when honored and decrepid age shall
lean against the base of this monument and troops Of
ingenious youth shall be gathered round it, and when
the one shall speak to the other of its objects the
purposes of its construction and the great and gor
Gus events with which it is connected-ther shall
rise, from every youthful breast, the ejaculation
6 thank God, IL also--am an American"