Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-02-28
THE JOURNAL.
Friday, February, 2s, 1sA5.
The Twenty.SecOnd.

Of this or any other country upon the face
Of the globe, was born. Had George
Washington been the son of an other land
than our own-had he been born on the
most remote spot Of the world from the
shores of America, the annual return OF
the day which gave birth to such man
could not fail to excite IN our bosoms emo
tons of the deepest gratitude and respect
for his memory. Bnt when we think for
a moment that ours is the favored land
which gave to mankind the brightest orna-
ment which has yet graced the pages OF
its history-when we recollect too, that
ours is the favored land for whose happi-
ness and glory, the great and almost God
like qualities Of this wonderful man, "the
first and best of mankind" were called in
TO existence-when too we think for
moment that the social and political liber-
ty which we this day enjoy; that the pros
perity and happiness which in such pre-
eminent degree, is enjoyed by the people
of this glorious Union, beyond that of any
other land on the face Of the earth, are all
the fruits under providence of the services
of George Washington-what should be
our feelings and our emotions on such a
day! Should they not be heartfelt, a
deep and grateful remembrance Of the SER
vices and achievements of the father and
saviour Of his and our common country?
This is day upon which the feelings
Of an honest and allowable pride, of a
warm and generous gratitude, and Of
bright and glorious hope should all COM
mingle in the breast Of the American pat
riot-of pride wheE he thinks that he is a
fellow-country-man and fellow-cilizen Of
George Washington-of gratitude when
he looks back through the vista of the past,
and sees that it is to the valor. and the wis
dom of this single name, that lie is in a
great measure indebted for all the blessings
which he enjoys this day-of bright and
u glorious hope when with the wand Of
Imagination he draws the curtain of futu-
rity, and views our loved Republic in
creasing in happiness and power as ages
roll OH.
The morning of the 22nd, Qast Satnr-
day. was rather gloomy and unpromising;
in this respect not unlike the morning of
Washington own career, but the sun in the
one case as in the other soon shone forth
and dissipated the clouds which darkened
the horizon. At an early hour the merry
tones of the bugle were heard on the one
hand summonng the Clarendon Horse
Guards, while ON the other the lively ia
too Of the fife and drum was heard beating
the Rife Corps to quarters TO join in the
days celebration. Soon the streets be-
came enivened by the hurrying to aud
fro Of richly caparisoned horses and their
spIendidly uniformed riders preparing for
the parato. A about half past ten the
"Guards" drew up in "strenglh" near the
Post'office, accompanied by Generals Nc
Rae and MarsteIler and Aids all in full
uniform. Seldom have our eyes been re-
gated with more pleasing, at the same
time imposing array than tie Guards pre-
sented on this occasion. The horses
were fine spirited fellows and seemed to
enter into the joyous feelings Of the day
with as much spirit as their masters. The
riders, for the most part young, ardent,
and Observation-Disclosures in their rich
and gorgeous uniform presented as the sun
poured down his golden rays over burn
ished helmet and nodding plume. spec
tacIe at once brilliant and splendid.
Captain Prices Rife Company Joined
in the celebration too; and although but
few in number and by no means go richly
uniformed as the Guards" still they adj
ded much to enliven the scene. Their
exercises in ''bush fighting" were pecuIi-
arIy novel and picturesque. We should
think that in the woods they would be
rough customers to manage.
The "Guards" eat a military dinner at
the Masonic Hall furnished by Mr.. Petite
way. We imagine that it was rich ee-
gantly FURNISHED forth" board to which
the Guards sat down at two o'clock. We
dare say too, that wine and wit, song and
sentiment lent their charms TO the BAN
quoting board. We imagine so, we say,
Tor civilians were not permitted seat at
that military board, and of course we cam
not speak by the 'book" on this point. All
in all, Washngton's birth day was celebra-
ted in Wilmington with spirit and feel
ing which does honor to the patriotism of its
citizens. May each successive return Of
the same glorious day, elicit from our
selves and our children for ages TO come,
the same grateful remembrance of the i'm
mortal services Of our iIIustrious country
man, and the same devotion to the free in.
F"tutlons which we in so great a degree
owe to those services.
Rccrean1 Ser we'd Rich.