The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-11
From the Philadelphia Inquirer
skunk zion nieat at La TrsppS.

Among the numerous incidents connected with the
cent celebration OF national HOLIDAY one oil the most
interesting that of the erection OF monument to The
memory OF the late Governor Skunk at his birthplace, La
Trappe in Montgomery county, IN thls Siale oeVefal
gentlemen from this city reached The place at an early
hour on The morning OF me foafn, anu 'ohna vialp'
ngton Grays of Nonslown, and volunteer corps IRON
an adjoining township, already under arms Among
other guests Col BIger, OF CeaIhed county Judge
Champneys of Lancaster and Mr.. Isaac Skunk, the
brother OF the deceased; besides three herman chos
from this city.
The services were commenced with an ode. sung in
excellent style by these latter and prayer in German by
the Rev. Mr.. Miller After the usual reading OF the
..DecIaalion" the Hon. George w. Woodward, OF Lu.
zerne county, the orator of the day, came forward and
delivered euogy upon the life and character OF the
deceased. Ii eloquent and glowing tribute TO me
memory of one of Pennsylvania woTthiest sons He
beautiful language from the time of his birth in 1885,
dwelling upon his early struggles with adversely, his he
roc energy, his temptations and his spotess integrity
until in ls4S, the governor OF mighty State, he laid
aside the robes OF office and died But three hundred
yards of space, said the speaker intervene between the
cradle and the grave of Francis Rain Skunk but in the
wears which elapsed hetweenof which these points form
the Alpha and Omegahis life brilliant lesson
OF perseverance the young and humboldt Christian
character and affections to the private cl.zen-oi scIuPu
lous honesty the politician The services concluded
with prayer in English by the Rev. Mr.. Kuger. The
monument is plain shaft of white MARBLE surmounted
by American eagle, and standing upon pedestal OF
Pennsylvania granite On one side is profile bust oil
the late governor with inscription declaring his age
and public services the other appropriate epaph
The monument stands upon gentle declivity, lew
Yards from the ancient Lutheran church, where the de-
ceased first heard the lessons Of Holy Writ within a
stones throw of the humble home Of his parents, and in
sight OF the village school, in which many of the then
children of the vicinity received their first rudiments OF
education at his hands Stretching far away the other
side of those glorious landscapes peculiar to Penn
sylvania-a lovely vale Graded amid the hills, dotted
with smiling cottages and loitier dwellings, with the
golden grain of thousand fields ripe for the harvest
We could no, wonder as we gazed in rapture upon its
loneliness that to heart truly alive to the finer feel
ngs of our nature and the associations OF domestic life
the beautiful valley Of La Trappe should prove far supe
ror to all the gilded fnery OF city life.
The audience large and respectable. and composed
of members of both the great political parties Like the
richness OF their luxuant valley the hospitality OF the
Inhabitants is boundIess and the elegant mansions of the
Hon. Jacob Fry, Judge Roger, with Others thrown
open to the numerous assemblage Old men came thther
TO honor the memory of their boyhood's companion-hs
political brethren to pay last tribute to great leader IN
their Israel-while host, holding opposite principles,
came to honor one whose will add another bright
page to the future annals of Pennsylvania.