Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-06-27
MONTPELIER, FRIDAY, JUNE q. 1916.

sand-dri(s of time, in the perisbnc glories of tho
farther East In the presence of the elicies Of the
warrior or the monuments of the poet, there comes
u distinct sense of the most glorious achievement
OF the former, and the highest efforts of the latter
which seems to invest the contemplative with n
spirit not of imitation, but of conception. clear. dis.
tnct and definabe; and few thus stand without n
wish to give utterance to their feelings to FEELINGS
SO tumultuous, as to demand utterance and 10 SIM
ply terms. NP
But 1t Is not thus at the grave of WASHINGTON.
lhere Is no single achievement to be remembered
WIN dlstnctness, and consequently, to create n
special ana separate sensation. There is no one
virtue that demands admiration, and thus inspires
TO description. Washington was not a man that
ever gathered distinction by any fortuitous result.
or acquired fame by any action consequent upon a
sudden exhibition of courage, or unusual impulse
of patriotism.
Leaning against the grotings of the tomb of
washington, there is experienced sensation of
awe which subdues, not inspires which creates n
melancholy train of thought, that ascends without
awakening fancy; that seems to lift the spirit into
contemplation Of that which, as it would be ir-
reverent IN attempting its description inspires no
leeIng or desire to describe. Starting a moment
from the profound revery into which we had been
THROWN we cast our eyes upon our comDanions in
the pilgrimage. They had not essayed 10 read the
inscription above the gratings nor that over the
lnlnost door, 1t could not be seen that they were
satsiylng curiosity by any inspection but they ap-
peared to be looking steadily upon the blank wall
ana closed iron door in front of them as if gazinp
through those impedimens upon the mouldering
deposits which they hid. 1t was evident however.
that they, too, were yielding to the influences of
the time and place, and allowing their spirits TO be
touched by the invisible yet pervadinp spirit that
holds communion with hearts rightly touched in
such scene, which soothes, elevates, chastens.
and then dismisses, with burthen of endeared
sensations that enoins to silence to deep and SOL
emn musings, which allows no impartinr of the
lncommunicable sense, but permits the heart at
tunes, to call up 10 its own enoyments all the hid
den treasures of that hour whenever it can, by
special satisfaction of its motives, welcomcly in
woke to the solemn inspiration the spirits that PEG
pie that consecrated place.
We turned from the tomb, satisfied with the WIS.,
1t, though much remained unexplorcd. There was
now no curiosity to be gratifed and each moved
downward towards the shore in that fixed solemntv
OF silence, that expressed fear lest some new OBJ
Ject, or some inopportune remark, should disturb
the quiet rich flow of feeling to which all were
submitted. An opening among the trees lust as
we were making sudden descent, showed to us
again the tomb. Each paused, and looked in ST.
fence Tor moment, and then left the place. some
OF us forever, yet all feeling how many thousands
such might die, and be swept away like the leaves
OF autumn, or the untmely blossoms of spring. and
society neither mourn nor feel loss while the
iCord, the whole civilized, and half the savage
world inquiries for Washington, as for one who
lived life of lofty example, of minute excellence.
whose character, viewed at distance, presented
all the grand proportions of patriotic perfection, or
inspected closely, exhibits that entire excellence of
every part, which is necessary for complete whole