The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-08


that the youthful hero under the special guardian
snip OF the Great Spirit, and Immediately ceased fire
man who the particular favorte of Heaven and who
could never die in batep a7 ~ N I'@' ~ u
Oar Evolutionary fathers had many for adorng
tae hand BY which they guided and guard
ed IN their great struggle for liberty; but none none
stronger than TINS proyidenta preparation and prsserva
anthem OF gratitude which NAV no more be heard from
their mute lips: 1.-The grave cannot praise thee; Death
cannot celebrate thee but the living, the living, they
shall praise thee as we do this day ''
OF the public services of Washington to our own coun
try Tor which ne was thus prepared and preserved il is
tonal history he stands forth pre- eminent and peeess
the maser-spirit of the time m
In the war OF the revolution, see him the leader of
In the formation OF the constitution we see him the
President of our councils. l
In the organization of the federal government we see
him the Chief Magistrate of our republic. sb4
Indeed, from the memorable day when. under the un-
heard but by no means nauspcious salute of both Brit
sh and American batteries engaged in no HOLIDAY exer
else on Bunker HILL it was unanimously resolved that
George Washington having been chosen COMMANDMENT
chief OF such forces are shall be raised for the
maintenance and preservation of American liberty .ths
Congress doth declare that they will maintain and
assist him, and adhere to him. the said George Washing
ton, with their lives and fortunes in the same cause
from this ever-memOrable 18th of June 1775a day
which Gas has been well said Providence kept
balance with the cause, and while it took from War
december,
1885, when he died, shall search the annals Of our
land in vain for any important scene in which he
anything less than the principal figure; id
1t is, however the character OF Washington, and not
the mere part which he played, which we would hold nj
this day to the world worthy of endless and universal
commemoraiion; The highest official distinctions may
be enjoyed, and the most important public services rem
dered, by men whose lives will not endure examination
the glory of Washington that the virtues OF the
suits which he accomplished were only the legitimate
eXemPhcatons OF the principles which ne protested and
cherished. bflH1 tgtts Na. l sri
In the whole history of the world it may be doubted
whether any man can be found who has exerted more
controlling influence over men and over events than
George washington To what dd ne owe that influence
that majestic authority over the minds and hearts OF his
countrymen and Of manknd' In what did the power OF
Washington consist? A,gH gat4~
was not the power of vast learning varied acquire
ments He made pretensions to scholarship and had
no opportunities for extensive reading. -
otic Though long associated with deberstve bodies,
he made set speech in his life ever mingled
in stormy debate.
Ii was not the power of personal fascination. There
little about him of that gracious aiability which
sometimes lends such essess attraction to men OF CON-
than of affection; and his friends, numerous and de.
voted they were bound to him rather by ties OF
respect than OF love. -
Il was not the power of daring and desperate spirit Of
heroic adventure 'lf ever said so replied Washing
ton, when asked whether he had said that there was
something charming in the sound of whstng hulleti
elf ever said so, it was when was young" He bad
no passion for mere exploits He sought no bubble
reputation in the lannon's mouth With
wisdom which did guide his yalor to act in safety 81
In what then. did the power OF ashngton ooAssst
When Psch Henry returned home from the mr.. cont
quence, Mr. Rutledge Of South Carolina the greatest
so BY far the greatest
on that floor" ~
When fifteen years earlier, Washington, at the close of
A. IL fDrf I'M fret
House of Bugesses of Virginia and avote of thanks was
presented to him for his military services to the Colony
Bis MSo Mr. y
modesty equals your vaor and that supasses the power
of any language that possess"
But it not solid information or sound judgment, or
even that combination of SURPRISING modesy and
valor great these qualities are, which gave Washing.
ton such hold the regard respect and confidence OF
the high moral elements of his character which inn
parted tits peponderating force ncorruptbe hon.
es his NJ ON Sin III, truth his dsvoa reliance ian on
science the disnteestedness OF his purposes ms hu-
mainly, generosity, and justice-these were the ingre-
dents which, blending tremendously with solid nforma
ton and sound Judgment and valor only equalled by
his modesty made up character to which the world may
be fearlessly challenged for parallel.
celestial fire, conscience was one of series OF maxms
which Washington framed or copied for his own use
when boy His rigid adherence to prnclple ms s!ead
uneserved devotion to whatever interests were commit
ted to his care attest the than vesta vigilance with
which he obeyed that maxim. He kept alive that spark
He made it shine before men, He kindled it into flame
which illulnined his whole life. No occasion was so
momentous circumstances 30 minute, as 10 a6solye
him from following it's guiding ray The marginal ex
PLANTATION his book in regard to the expenses
of his wife's annual visit to the camp during the revou
tionary war, with his passing ausOn to the se-denaf
which the exgences OF his country had cost MN, lur-
nishes charming illustration of his habua exacness
The fact that every barrel of -four which bore the brand
of "George Washington, Mount Vernon" was exempted
from the otherwise uniform inspection IN the w est INDIA
porsthat being regarded as an ample guaranty OF
afixed-supplies not less striking proof that his exact
ness was every understood 1a{
Everybody saw that Washington sought nothing Tor
himself Everybody knew that he sacrificed nothing to
personal or to party ends, Hence the mighty influence
the machess sway which he exercised all around
him sHe was the only man in the United States who
possessed the confidence OF ALL (said Thomas Jefferson
there no other one who was considered anything
more than party leader" t5ffr as0e6
Who ever thinks OF Washington mere politician
Who ever associates him with the petty arts and PtIini
dersl Who pictures him canvassng for votes deal
ing out prescription doing out patronage oo- hR
'No part of my duty" wrote Washington to~iovefnor
BOwdoin in letter the still unpublished 0rIginai OF
which is precious inheritance OF my own mo paft OF
nv duty will be delicate, and in many instances,
more unpleasant than that OF nominating and appointing
persons 10 Office II will undoubtedly haFpsn trat there
will be several candidates for the same once whose pre-
tensions abilities and integrity may Be nearly equal and
spect as almost to require the aid OF supernatural intu
ion to fix upon the right shall. however, In all
have the satisfaction to reflect that entered upon
nv administration unconfned by single engagement,