Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-12-30
WASHINGTON.

EIinlneit tiIeIl; as tney dTISe, uTc ocCdSioh-
ally compared to Washington. Points of re.
semblance, now and then, may assuredly be
found but there never breathed a man
whose mental and moral properties combined
could endure rigid comparison with WASH
ing,on's. Whoever attempts to run this pa
relel, between him and any other, will readi-
ly acknowledge the truth of this proverb, mul-
lam simile qtdtuor psdibus currit Select the
example from the present or The past, from
our own or other lands and inquire 10 which
OF them all would Erskine, so chary of his
praise, so slow of faith in his fellow, have
applied those memorable words inscribed in
the presentation copy of his work, transmit
ted TO Washington-"you, sir, are the only
individual for whom have ever felt an aw-
| full reverence" OF whom else would Lord
Brougham have pronounced this remarkable
passagc-'lt 1t will be the duty of the historian
and the sage, in all ages, to omit no occa-
sion of commemorating this illus!rions man !;
and, until time shall be no more, will test
of the progress, which our race has made in
wisdom and virtue be derived, from the vene-
ration paid TO the immortal name of WASH
! ington.''
have moi yet met any gentleman of our
calling, who is no, decidedly in favor of the
! election of General Taylor, or who would not
gratui,ously attend, in a professional way,
upon Messrs Cass and Van Buren,. We per-
ceive resemblance between the first pres-
dent and the present candidate, in their vii.
lngness TO draw long bills on posteriiy for
fame, in preference TO numerous drafts, at
sight, without grace, for daily applause. But
we hold in Washington the image and super
scripiion, not of Cesar, but of peerless NOR
tal-of one, created, verify, little lower
than the angels
| "a combination, and form, indeed,
! Where every gnd did seem to set his zeal,
To give the world assurance OF a man."
| In no portion of our country has the men,
ory OF that great man been more universal
" cherished and beloved than in New Eng.
land. A sentiment not only of reverence for
his character, but of affection for his person,
was very general in this quarter; and mani
Tested itself in a remarkable manner, upon
the occasion of his death Nothing could
have been more unexpected than the an
nouncement of that event in Boston. will
close this article with simple Illustration of
the popular feeling when the sad tidings ar
rived. At the close of that year, 1901 was
small boy then-I was returning from ride
on horseback to Dorchester point-there was
no bridge, and it was quite journey. As
approached the town, was very much sur.
prised al the toling ofthe bells. Upon reach
ing home, saw my old father, at an unusual
hour for him, the busiest man alive, TO be at
home, sitting alone in our parlor, with his
bandanna before his eyes. ran towards him
with the thoughtless gayety of youth, and
asked what the bells were tolling for. He
withdrew the handkerchief from his face
the tears were rolling down his fine old fea-
tures-:go away child" said he, "don't dis
turb me- do you not know that Washington
| is dead !'
The reader has surnised that the worthy
gentleman had slipped at the fountain OF exe-
cutiye patronage Not at all. He had never
seen Washington, and never held an office,
civil or military, saving under Hancock's
commission as justice of the peace, which
accounted very pretty compliment in those
days. No, he was nothing but an American,
and he shed those American tears upon the
death ofone whose character and conduct had
filed his heart with sentiments of pride and
love, and "awful reverence"
A SEXTON OF THE OLD SCHOOL.