Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-03-12

developed, and nad SuCh pIihCiPie "een
engrafted on the Constitution. there would
| never have been a union of the States.
| FOR THE SENTINEL.
a % ID 2 e s So
Ladies and Gentlemen appear before you
| on this memorable occasion, in the capacity OF
an inexperienced and neloquent youth. But
if nv heart were as cold IS the crusted SHOWS
that marble the Alpine SUBMITS, l could not
refrain, could not torbear saying few words
in commemoraton of the illustrous WASHING
TON. Yet stand before you, considerably. yea
altogether embarrassed. am aware, fellow
citizens, of my inability to address you on the
! present occasion, but as remarked before, II |
were frigid, | should still be compelled to say
something on SO interesting subject. Yes,
fellow-cilizens, il my now palpitaling heart was
performing round Of gympnastic feats, or. II
YOU please, series Of consecutive somersets, 1t
would have no tendency 10 damper my soul,
as it respects having will this To'lte and In
telligent assembly. It's sufficient to animate
the youthful bosom, the youthful intellect, to
unremitting application, to answering energy
and perseverance, when he looks around him,
and beholds both young and old come
10 welcome the youthful voices OF our little
village. am aware, fellow-citizens, by whom
shall he succeeded, and have my reason to
believe, that he will entertain you In such
manner as shall be delectabe and edllyng.
have heard my esteemed friend. in days that
are past and gone, addressing the citizens OF
New Market in eloquent and inspiring terms,
which am confident did not fail to the ground
unproductive of good effects.
Fellow CITIZENS, will endeavor to manufac-
ture few observations, and promise you that
shall occupy but short time, IN presenting
them to my ndulgent and attentive audience.
We have assembled on this evening to talk OF
by-gone days. to speak in commemoratlon OF
the illustrious spirit which, has flown to purer
mansions than our own. 10 talk about the
great and patriotic WAsHrsGToN, the warrior,
the statesman, and the Christian, the man who
has thrown halo of glory which now encircles
this mighty confederacy who has reflected an
impershable fame upon this mighty continent,
and. too, upon millions and millions OF freemen,
who this day in imagination have bent the knee
at his cold but sacred Urn who follow him
in thought through the deep and yielding depths
Of space, to the great white thrtne OF Heaven,
environed by pure and happy spirits, coevai
, with that of GEORGE WAsHiNGroN's. The
patriot son of America rejolces tho the resins
of bliss. while genius and beauty are paying
their tributes to his memory.
WASHINGTON. when but youth, was called
into service by his countrymen, whose voice
, he fastened to obey. He was received cy the
American army with demonstrations OF unmin-
oiled low He soon distinguished himself as
skillful officer, as You all know full well, and
was appointed by Congress the Chlef'aln OF
! the American Forces. He was universally
, beloved. by every man who carried the muske,'
or welded the sword in defence of his country,s
rights and honor If should tell OF his many
and glorious achievements. his lntrepldhy and
unsurpassed valor, his love of country. his bold
and adventurous spirit. his virtues and his VIC
tories, should but reiterate what you nave
read, or wha: has been proclaimed to You IN
manner more impressive and brilliant tnan
could possibly portray them. He was pointed
out by Providence to the American people as
their preserver, as the rock upon when they
MIGHT stand, as the pillar upon which they
could only rely with confidence and SAFETY
The selection was made by Him, who said,
Roll on. ye brilliant orbs'! who threw the
great luminary of the day amid his spangled
companions. No man has bequeathed to the
! American people so brilliant and lasting fame.
| No man has left brighte. train of unfading
| GLORY behind him. than the mighty WASHING
ToN' who has justly been styled, The Father
If his Country As an irrefragaljle evidence
Of his love of country, he battled with unerring
constancy with indefatigable prudence and val
or for eight long and sanguinary years. years
of uneoualled distresses and mistortunes, of I'M
| n,ralieled blackness and devastation. Some
times dragged along by the tolls Of adversely,
! ~ others. waited upon the transitory and I'M
| certain gales Of prosperity. 1t was Sufficient
to melt down the most rigid heart. and call
forth the most eloquent appeals ofsympashy to
the noble. patriotic and affectionate WASHING
TON. leading on the haggard and wasted forms
! oe his troops to battle; to mark the sustenance
Of l;berty. as it trcked from their almost unco-
vered feet. and see it crimson the cold, Keen
crusted snow. upon which they family stagger-
ed on to meet the awful valley of death But
be bore I'M under it all, and also his brave COM
panions in arms, with manly fortitude and I'M
swerying valor. They rushed ON to the yaw-
n;no chambers of death, receiving at every
fash sheets upon sheets and clouds upon clouds
If ;ncessant death. o, my fellow citizens. this
was heartrending and terrific enough to drive
Tho most Gallant. the most tlauntless heart. IN
n The darkest despair. But WASHINGTON
,,;tbs,ood all. the thunder of cannons and the
c,ash ofarms. Yet, fellow citizens, the cloud
canned summit Of many a hill speaks in tones
far deeper still than the rolling thunders OF hea-
van WAsHrxsToN, WASHINGTON! and the
zigzac liphtnings rush down upon~ihe beach,
and play in startling brillancy upon the angry
4 spray Of many a CRYSTAL stream, which trans
norted the immortal WASHINGTON from bank
10 bank. in moments of victory and defeat lie
now rests, with his brave compatriots, in the
.;lont chambers Of the tomb, TO hear no more