The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-08
MIR. WINTHROP"s ADDRESS,
On The OCCASION Of laying the stone Of the Nation
al Monumentto Washington.
Fsliow Citisens of he United States.

Il W duOHHMehu " " NS"UtSto"-
Feliow Citisens of he United States.
We are assembled to take the first step towards the
lfuhlment OF long deferred obligation. In this eight
foeth year since his DEATH we have come together
TO lay the of national monument to Wash
ngton. rs. N
Other monuments to this ilustrious pc have long
ago been erected. BY not few OF the great States OF
our Union, by few OF the great cities OF States,
the chiseed statue the lofty column has been set up
u his honor The highest art OF the Old WordIot
France, OF Italy, and Of England, successvely-has
Virginia !; Canoya, for North Carolina; Sir Francis
Chaney, for Massachusetts, have seyerally signazed
o N hs coaprv form
Nor has the Congress OF the nation altogether failed
| of its duty in this respect The massive and majestic
figure which presdes the precincts Of the CAPITOL
and which seems almost in the act of challenging new
vow OF allegiance to the constitution and the Union from
every one who approaches it, is visible testmony-and
one not the less grateful to an American eye as being the
mastery production OF native artistthat the govern
ment OF lhe country has not been pnmlndful Of what it
owes to Washington. ,f af.8 M
monument remains to be reared. monument which
shall bespeak the gratitude not of States, Of cities,
OF governments; not of separate communities or OF Off
cal bodies; but Of the people, the whQe people of the
latona national monument, erected by the citizens of
the United States of America 1 srt Itlfs
OF such monument we have come to lay the corner
stone here and On this day, on this spot in this
presence and at this precise epoch in the history OF our
country and OF the world about to commence this
| GROWING work OF commentator. Ri .'f1 .i 81
The day. the place, the witnesses the period in the
worlds history and in history---all, all most
appropriate to the OCCASION.
The day is appropriate. On this 4th day of Julyem
phaticaly the peoples day-we come most fifty to &C
knowledge the peoples debt to their first and greatest
benefactor. as T@ a i9U Y3f.
the immortal act OF the 4th OF july 1916 His signature
did not attest the Declaration of Independence But the
sword by which that independence was to be achieved
already at his sde and already had he struck the
blow which rendered that declaration inevitable. .
!" Hosdus primo fugatis, Bostonum recuperdt,sm, is
the inscription on the medal which commemorates Wash
were compelled to evacuate Boston, on the 18th day of
March, 1776, bloodess though the victory the ques
ton was rrevocaby settled that independence, and not
the mere redress OF grievances 10 be the momentOus
stake OF our colonial struggle
Without the OF the 4h of July, it is true Wash
ington would have found no adequate opening for that
him lustrous forever. But it is equally true that with
out Washington this day could have acquired that
above all other days, it enjoys We may not say that
the man made the day. or the day the man. but may
say that. by the blessing of God they made for
each other and both for the highest and most enduring
good OF America and OF the world
The place is appropriate; We the banks of his
own beloved and beautiful Potomac. On side OF u.s.
within few hours sail, ara the halowed scenes amid
which Washington spent all of his mature life which
not devoted to the public service of the country and
where still repose in their original resting place, all that
remained of him when life was On the other side
and within immediate view, is the Capitol of
the Republic, standing the site selected by himself
and within whose walls the rights which he indicated
the principles which he established, the institutions
which he founded, have been and still to be- main.
tanned, developed, and advanced
The witnesses are appropriate, and such as eminenty
The President of the United States is here, and feels
am persuaded, that the official distinction which he lends
the has higher personal charm if any higher
public dignity, than that which it derives from its associ
atoms with his earliest and most usrous predecessor
81 hold the place which Washington held" must be a
orfin hlo nf md
any and every weight OF responsibility and care and of
elevatng him to the pursuit of the pures and Hottest
ends.
Representatives of foreign nations are here, ready to
bear witness to the priceless example which America has
given to the world the character of him whose fame
has long since ceased TO be the property OF any country
or of any age
The Vice President and Senate the Heads of Depart
mens the Judiciary, the authorities of the city and Dis
many field and many food of earlier and of later
fame veeransof the line and volunteers, fresh from the
OF trial and of triumph, with swords already
wreathed with myrtes, which every patriot prays may
prove as unfadng the laures with which their brows
bound all here, eager to attest their
for the memory of one, whom statesmen and soldiers
have conspred III prOnouncng to have been first alike in
peace and in war.
The representatives Of the people are here's and it
only their organ that have felt it incumbent on me-
in the midst of and duties which would have formed
ample apology for declining other service, to say
few words on this occasion. Coming here in no official
capacity yet feel that bring with me the sanction not
people themselves, for all that can say and for much
more than | can say, in honor OF Washington. "a "
And indeed the people themselves are here in masses
such before within the shadows of the
Capitoa cloud of witnesses-o bring their own heart
felt testimony to the occasion From all the States OF
the Union: from all political parties; from all professions
and occupatons men OF all sorts and conditions, and
those before whom OF all sorts and conditions bow
as lending the chief ornament and grace to every
scene of fe the people, individual citizens and in
every variety OF association, military and masonic, moral
collegiate and Charitable Rechabtes and Red Men, Sons
OF Temperance and Fremen, United Brothers and Odd
Fellows; the people have up this day to the temple
Nth each other in fresh of homage the memory
OF the man who was and Is, and will forever be, first
in the hearts OF his countrymcn!" Welcome, welcome,
Americans all 1.-THE name of American, which be-
longs 10 you in your national capacity, Il borrow the
words OF ashingion hmself) must always exalt the
Just Pde Of patriotism more than any appelaon derived
from local determinations"
mention OF all who with US at this hour. Which Of
us does moi realize that witnesses around
Think We that the little band whose feeble forms
spared 10 bless our sight once more all OF the army
OF Washington, who uniting with in this tribute
OF reverence for his memory Think that the patriot
soldiers or the patriot statesmen, who stood around him
in war and peace altogether absent from scene
like this Adams and Jefferson. JOINT authors of the Dec
laation, BY whose lives and deaths this day has been
dpuby haowed; Hamilton and Madison Joint trainers
oil the Constitution present, ysbly present. in the
aied persons Of those and dearest to them in life
Marshall under whose auspices the work before
projected and whose classic pen had already constructed
durable than marble gnnite; Knox, Lincoln, and
Greene Franklin Jay, Pickering, and Morris; Schuyler
and Putnam Stark and Prescott. Sumter and Marion
S'eub~n kosciusko and Lafayette companions counsel