Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-08
Nh. WINTHROP'S ADDRESS.
On The occasion of laying The Cornerstone Of the
National Monument 10 Washington.

A.
We are assembled to take the first step towards the fulfil
ment Of long deferred obligation. In this eghtand foreh
year since his DEATH we have together lay the
stone Of National Monument to WAsHrscros.
Other monuments to this us,rous person have long ago
been erected BY not few Of the great States of Unon
by not few Of the great cities Of States the chissled
statue or the lofty column has been up 10 his honor The
highest art Of the old word-of France Of Italy, and of Eng
land suecessiveyhas been put in requson for the pur
pose Houdon for Virginia. Cahoya for North Carolina, Sir
Francis Chaney for Massachusetts, have severy gnalzed
their genius by poyng and perpeuaing the form and ea
lures of the Father of his Country
Nor has the Congress of the Nation altogether failed Of lis
duty in this respect The massive and majestic figure which
predes over the precincts Of the Capitol and which
almost in the act Of challenging Of allegiance
the Constitution and the Union from every who APP
breaches it, is visible testimony one not the less CRATE
full American eye being the mastery production Of
native ashat the Government of the country has not been
unmindful Of what it owes to WAsnIsGTos.
One tribute his memory is left to be rendered One
Monument remains be reared. monument which shall be-
speak the gratitude, not of States or Of Cities Of Govern
ments not of separate communities Of official bodies but
of the People, the whole People Of the Nationa National
monument erected by the Citizens Of the United States Of
America.
or such monument we have to lay the
here and now On this day. on this spot in this presence
and this precise epoch in the history Of our country and Of
the world we are about commence this browning work Of
commemoraton.
The day. the place. the witnesses, the period in the worlds
history and in our hstorya, all most appropriate
to the occasion.
The day is appropriate On this 4th day Of Julyempha
caly the peoples day--we fifty to acknowledge
the peoples debt to their first and greatest bcnefactor.
WAsHIssroS, indeed, had immediate connexon with
the immortal of the 18th of July I776. His signature did
attest the Declaration Of Independence But the sword
by which that independence be achieved already
his side and already had he struck the blow which rendered
that declaration inevitable.
eHoxibus primo fsgafis, Bostonium recup1atum,' is
the inscription on the medal which Washing
tons earliest triumph. And when the British forces
compelled TO evacuate Boston, the l7h day of March,
l776 boodless though the victory was the question n
reyocby settled that independence, and not the redress
of grievances be the stake Of colonial
struggle.
Without the event of the 4h Of July is true Washing
ton would have found adequate opening for that full
of military and civil glory which has rendered him iusous
forever But equally that without Washington this
day could have acquired that the history of
may not say that the man made the day. the day the
man but we may say that by the blessing of God they
made for each other and both for the highest and endu
ing good Of America and of the world.
The place is appropriate. We the banks Of his
beloved and beautiful Potomac On side Of us, within
few hours sail, the halowed amid which Wash
ngon spent oil Of his life, which devoted to
the public service Of the country, and where still repose, in
their original resngplace, all that remained Of him when life
On the other SIDE and within immediate
view is the Capitol Of the Republic, standing the site
ec,ed by himself and within whose walls the rights which he
INDICATED the principles which be established, the insu
tons which be founded, have been and still be, main
tanned, developed, and advanced.
The witnesses appropriate and such emineny be
the occasion.
The President Of the United States here and feels am
persuaded that the official distinction which be lends the
has higher personal CHARM any higher public dig
nifty, than that which derives from its associations with his
earliest and most ilusous predecessor. I hold the place
which Washington held must be reflection capable Of
tanning Chief Magistrate under any and every weight OF
sponsby and care and Of eleyang him 10 the pursuit Of
the purest and loiisst ends
Representatives Of foreign nations here ready bear
witness the priceless example which America has given
the world in the character Of him whose fame has long
ceased to be the property Of any country Of any age
The Vice President and Senate, the Heads Of Departments,
the Judiciary the Authorities Of the City and District the Of
cer Of the army and navy and Marines from many field and
many flood Of earlier and Of later fame; of the line
and volunteers fresh from the of trial and Of triumph,
with swords already wreathed with myres which every pa
ot psys may prove unadng the laure with which their
bows bound oil here eager to attest their
for the memory Of one, whom statesmen and soldiers have
conpred pronouncng 10 have been first alike in Peace and
in War
The Representatives Of the People are here and is only
their organ that have felt il incumbent me- in the
midst Of and duties which would have formed ample
apology for declining any other service to say few words
this occasion. Coming here in official capacity yet feel
that bring with the sanction no, merely Of the Repres
taves Of the People, but Of the People themselves for all that
can say, and for much than can say, in honor Of
Washington.
And indeed, the People themselves are here; in
such before within the shadows Of the
Capitol-a cloud Of witnessesto bring their heartfelt
testimony the occasion. From all the States Of The Union
from all political parties, from all professions and occupatons
Of oil sorts and conditions and those before whom
Of all and conditions bow, lending the chief ornament
and grace to every scene Of e the people, ndividus
citizens and in every variety Of association military and
sonic, moral collegiate, and charitable Rcchsbes and Red
Men, Sons Of Temperance and Femsn United Brothers and
Odd Fellows, the people have come up this day to the
temple gates Of and glorious republic to fsternie
with each other in fresh act Of homass to the memory