Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-23
INnShinrtnn's Rirlh. day.

Thi. anniversary occurred this Sunday, and We
stated in New York paper that considerable num-
Der Of the clergy Of that city aud 10. vicinity intended TO
preach. that occasion. on the subject OF Peace.
We know not in what better way this anniversary Of
Washing tons birth could be celebrated in what better
cause the AID his src, and good could be invoked
IL is usual celebrate that day with imposing military pa
gesn with the sound Of drums the OF cannon, the
waving Of bright With bonhres and Nominations
Then think Of Washington, the HERO e'tsnds BE-
fore N. the stern soldier Of Freedom Our pic
lures him. aayed in military panopy, his colossal proper
tons the array OF battle the sword IN his
hand and every feature of his noble face rejecting
the sasscous intellect and the daring soul Of the great
leader We think OF him such times the General the
successful eonqueror. rs Washington 'FiSsr IN wAR."
But this the only light which the character OF our
nations father could be favorsby viewed, how common
place would be his fame He might even then take rank
among the crowd of military heroes and dispute the
palm Of vslor and skill with Cesar or Napoleon Blu,
the world has had enough, and than enough at char
like these. 1t has rested for nearly thirty years
from those commissions by which has been 80 hereey
astated And how has been that rest few can re-
aze those who Parcpstos in the bloody drama
by which il preceded II would form Just cst-
mate OF national collisions must ask, not
the fiery youth OF generation, but the grey>harcd
survivors Of that evenu period. Ask the people whose
hard earnings were wrenched from their hands supper;
the gloomy magn hcenee OF war. Ask the el'ies which
paid enormous tributes for their dlyesnee from fire and
sword and rupine. Ask the merchant, whose ships
swept from every Ask the widow who her hus
band leave his roof the full bloom of manly strength
and after months OF such horrible suspense almost drove
her to Madness learned last that some bloody battle
-d torn limb from limb by bayonets and balls, crushed
into the very earth by the hoO OF charging squsdrons the
stay OF her hear, had persisted, with to give him
single look OF sympathy, to carry 10 his home the
diving prayer with which his quiverins lips besought
the Almighty To look in pity upon his desolate hreste.
Ask the old soldier who carries his SCARED check the
Certificate oi his yslor and manned and dgured Tor life,
feels eustence iset to be- buhen Well may the earth
seek r,poe after scenes like They departed
and peace has poured her oil OF consolation upoI the rank
ling memories the past. Cities, which had been laid
waste have risen anew like the phGlix from its Hshss.
Commerce has once visited the deserted The
veteran fads 4 momentIry relic: from fostering wounds
by rel4ting, wondering group tue thrilling con.
tests in which lie participated The earth herself smiles
once more aud the green grass ard uSuran aess
and conceal bloody footprints OF war. The deluge has
passed away Religion has erected her atis and Civil
on Science and the Arts have aoh eyed their proudcst
triumph, beneath the ben gusnI influence of peace.
Let us think, then, OF Washington as FIRST rEAcE,
moi ess Than first war" Let remember how emf
neny his Of public affairs character zed
by pacific policy. How steadily and how successfully
sought amid oboauy preserve the country
from those foreign influences by which sought to in
vove her IN contest with England. No cry OF British
tendencies, for moment, eeed bic No amir
ton for extended territory acuaied his mind In his fare
well address he lett memorable warning WHICH, If adopt
ed in its spirit we'll letter, would go reprss the
graspng desire fer foreign acquisition prevalent ia this
country.
Itwuuld be well for reckless politicians
sonaily to his paIernal teachings.