The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-08-05

CoInc 10 iluy nOlnNgc W INC nun WHO WIS inc
particular iavorite Of Heaven, and who could
mover die in battle"
Our Revolutionary fathers had many cau-
SOS for adoring tho invisible hand Ivy which
they were guided and guarded in their great
struggle for liberty; hut none, stronger than
| this providcntlnl preparation and prcscrVa-
| ton of their destined chief. BE IL ours 10
prolong that anthem Of gratitude which may
no moro be heard from their mute ips:--
"Ihc grave cannot praise Thee; death can
not celebrate Thee; but the living, the living,
they shall praise Thee, rs we do This day."
OF the public services Of Washington to
our own country, for which he was thus pre-
pared and preserved, it is enough TO say that
in the three great opochs ofour national his
tory he stands forth pre-emncnt and peerless,
the master spirit oftIe time.
In the war of The Revolution, we see him
the leader of our armies.
In the formation of tho constitution we
see him the president of our councils.
In the organization ofrhG Federal Govern
mcnt we see him the chief magistrate of our
Republic.
Indeed, from the memorable day when, m
der tho unhcard but by no means innusp-
cious salute of both British and American
batteries, engaged in no holiday exercise on
Bunker Hill, it was unanimously resolved
that George Washington having bee II chosen
commander in chief of such forces as are or
shall be raised for the maintenance and pres
crvation of American liberty, this Congress
doth now declare that they will maintain and
assist him, and adhere 10 him, the said G..
Washington, with their lives and fortunes in
the same cause; from this ever memorable
l7th ofJunc, l775--a day on which las has
been we'll said,) Providence kept mn even bal
ancc with the cause, and while it took from
us Warren gave us Westinghouse the
18th of December, l77S when he died, we
shall search the annals Of our land in vain for
any important scene in which ho was any
thing less than the principal figure.
II is, however, the character of Washing
ton, and not the mere part which he played,
which VIC would hold up this day TO the
world, as worthy of endless commomo-
ration. The highest official distinctions may
he enjoyed, and tho most important public
services rendered 10y men whose lives will
not endure examination. 1t is the glory Of
Washington that the virtues of the man out
shine even the briliancy of his acts, and that
the results which he accomplished were only
the legitimate oXcmplifcntion of the princi-
pies which he protested and cherished.
In the whole history Of the world il may be
doubted whether any man can he found who
has cXcued n more controlling influence over
men and over events than George Washing
How did he win how did nc WELD that mag
ic power, that majestic authority, over the
minds and hearts of his countrymcn and of
mankind? IN what did the power Of Wash
ington consist?
II was not the power of vast learning or
varied acquirmcnts. He made no prcten-
sion to scholarship. and had no opportunities
for extensive reading.
1t was not the power Of sparkling wit or
glowing rhetoric. Though long associated
with dclhcrativc bodies, he never made |
n set speech in his life, nor even mingled in |
Il stormy debate.
Ii was not the power of personal fascina- |
ton. There was little about him of that
gracious aflability which sometimes lends |
such rcsislless attraction to men Of comnan-
ding position. His august presence inspired |
more ofawc than ofaltctiuu,unl his friends,
and devoted as they were, We're
bound to him rather by ties Of respect than
of love.
Ii was not the power ola daring and des-
pcratc spirit ofhcroic adventure. 'lfl ever
said So" replied Washington, when asked
" whether he had said that there was something
in the sound ola whistlinG bullet,
"ifI ever said so it was when was young.
lie had no passion for mere exploits. lie
sought no bubble reputation in the lannon's
mouth. With n courage never questioned,
and equal to every cXigency, he had yet ca
wisdom which did guide his valor To net in
safety"
In wLat, then, did the power of Washing
ton consist? When Patrick Henry returned
home from the first continental Congress,an
was asked who was :ho greatest man in that
body. he replied, "If you speak OF cloquoncc,
MIR RutIcdgc, ofSouh Carolina is the great
,st orator; but if you speak oEsoIid iniorma-
ion and sound Judgment, Col Washington
S by far the creates! man on that iloor."
When. fifteen years earlier, Washington al
Inc close of the French war, took his scat for
he first time in the House of Burgesscs of
Virginin, and n vote olthauks was presented
o him for his military services to the colony, I
lis hesitation and embarrassment were re-
icved by the Speaker, who said, "Sit down, t
Mr Washington, your modGsty equals your |
,alor and that surpusses the power of amy +
language that possess" $
But il was not solid information or sound I
Judgment, or even that rare combination OF I
modesty and valor, great rs these |
qualities arc, which gave Washington such I; t
iold on the regard respect and confidence of |
he American people. hazard nothing in s
aging that it was the high moral elements Of Il
lis character which impaired TO it its prenon- 1
leralng force, His incorruptible honesty, C
lis uncompromising truth, his devout rcli- il
nco on God, the purity of his life, tho scr'I- v
,ulousncSs of his conscience. the diSintercs- \
etlncss of his purposes, his humanity, gen L
rosity and jus,ice--thcse were the ingrcdi- 7
nts which, blending tremendously with sol ,
i information and sound Judgment, and
alor only cqunlled by his molcsty, made up
character TO which the world may he toar- '
ossly challenged for parallel. $
''Labor to keep alive in your breast that lit II
e spark or celestial fire, conscience" was ono y
ia series of naXimS which Washington :