The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-27

LOCAL MATTERS.


lished by the Washington National Monument
Society 1t possesses much interest, treating OF
revolutionary incidents in oonnexion with allu-
sions to the Father Of his Country
PHILADELPHIA, June IA, 1853
My DEAR Sin: On behalf Of the "Cliosopbc So
ciety" of the College of New Jersey. have the
honor present this block of sculptured marble as
tribute to the memory of George Washington,
and expr ession of the profound veneration we
have for the character of the immortal "Father of
our Country" We request that it be placed az
soon as possible in the Monument which is being
reared by his grateful countrymen
The occasion naturally carries minds back
to those incidents which connect the memory OF
Washin gton with our Society, and we prompt
ed to bring from its archives few of those hisor
cal "reminiscences which we regard with so much
pride and emotion.
The college which claims the Chosophic Society
as one OF her jewels was nursed amid the storms OF
the American Revolution. 1t was ba ptized NASSAU
Hall'' in honor of the great champion of liberty,
William H., Prince of Orange and Nassau, and
consecrated 10 freedom and TO God.
Its early presidents were prominent actors In
the Revolution. The eloquent Davies fired up the
patriots of the South, and kindled that flame of
patriotism which burned so brilliantly in the great
orator Patrick Henry. DR.. Whitherspoon was
leading spirit in the Continental Con ress and
of the signers OF the Declaration of Independence.
DR.. Green, third president, bad shoudered his
musket, joined the army of Washington, and
fought in the ranks as a private soldier.
At the time the British troops barracked in the
college the students were disbanded, and the
meetings OF the Society suspended, but the battle
of Princeton, hich determined the successful issue
of the Revolution, restored them TO their literary
halls. The marks which were made upon the
walls of old Nassau Hall bear honorable testimony
to the bravery with which the mericans attacked
and routed their enemy; one of the balls from the
American artillery entered the chapel window
and took off the head of King George, as he was
exhibited in full-length portrait.
fter had eoaip ned I,
college, the Cliosophic Society was Immediately
reorganized. Our honorable literary compeer
the "American Wing Society,"" which recently
sent you block of marble, some time afterwards
followed our example.
few years after this the American Congress
held its session in the library room of the college,
and, as the president, DIR. Witherspoon, was so
eminent member of that body, it adjourned to
attend the commencement exercises of the stu
dents-a commencement which presented the
proudest and most glorious scene which ever
occurred In the history of any literary institution
Upon the platform the whole Continental
Congress, the Ministers of France and Holland
and the Commander-in-Cbief, General George
Washington.
The valedictorian of the class, Mr.. Green, af-
forwards President of the College, at the conclusion
OF his address, turned to Washington and ad
dressed him in a strain of patriotic fervor. Saws
the historian: 'The General, as | addressed him
colored, Tor his modesty was among the qualities
which go highly distinguished him. The next
day he met me in one of the college entries took
me by the hand, asked for copy of nv speech
| and requested me to present bis best wishes for
their success to my classmates" He at this time
made present of fifty guineas to the college,
/ which was expended in having full length por-
trait painted OF him by the elder Peale.
! This picture now hangs in the COLLEGE, and
| occupies the very frame which contained the pic
| ture of King George, and which was decapitated
| by Washington's artillery.
| We, therefore, with no ordinary emotion bring
/ this offering to the memory of him whom we have
| ever regarded as our model, and whose name
| always enkindles our patriotism. But we will not
| attempt any thing more than the simple state
Inent OF our object. For here no scuptured stone
no glowing phrase, can adequately portray the
| unutterable eloquence of the heart.
The block which we present is but shadowy
type OF the generation and homa &c which has ever
gone forth from literary temple as rich cloud
i OF incense to the great and good Washn gton No
/ Congress has ever assembled since the Revolution
| in which this institution has not been LARGELY re-
| presented Her graduates have occupied and are
now adjoining the highest offices in the State
| Ihey have always been found bearing testimony
/ to the homage which we here pay to his memory
by their devotion to and defence of the great prin
cpes which he had bequeathed to our country
| In conclusion, cir, we would express our earnest
| desire that the whole nation will respond To the
call made to their patriotism and will rapidly rear
| this tribute to the memory of our venerated and
/ beloved Washington, and that it's summit may
soon amid the clouds receive its capstone and
there forever stand index of a nations graft
tude, and landmark OF liberty which may cheer
| on the millions who are grooming under oppression
! in other lands
sc Who wait for the coming of a better dav,
To snap hsy chains the moment when they
| may"
! Yours, respectfully, F. GIGER
| ELISHA WHITTLEsEY, esq, General Agent Wash
ington National Monument Association
| WASHINGTON, June "a, 1853
SIR: Your letter OF the 18th instant, together
4 n . h,h Nal -.
the Cliosophio Society of New Jersey, has been
| received, and | instructed by the Board of
| Managers of the Washington National Monument
Society to present to that association their thenk
Tor this line testimonial of the respect and venera-
ton they entertain for the character of the illus.
| triou5 Father of his Country.
am also requested to express 10 you the sntis.
faction they have experienced from your very in
terestlng historical sketches, the Alma Mater of
some OF the most patriotic and distinguished citi
gems OF your State, and to say that the block pre-
sented very appropriately indicates the patriotism
which has always characterized your ancient and
| useful institution, which as Dr. Johnson said OF
| Iona, "no one can contemplate without having his
piety rendered more ardent, and his patriotism
enlarged and nvigorated F."
The Board, devoted it has been for years to
the noble object of honoring the memory of Wash.
| lngton, the great founder of the liberties of his
| country, would be pleased TO see manifested every
where the patriotic feeling exhibited by the ''Clio-
sophie Society of Princeton for if such a feeling
animated every Anne rcan heart the Board would
soon be enabled to complete the magnificent struc-
ture now IN progress to the glory of the American
people and IN honor OF their greatest benefactor.
lregret, however, TO say that the funds collected
! during the past year do not lead them to hope to
see this event accomplished for time. while by
small contribution from each inhabitant of the
United States the ihcent belisk mi ght be made
to tower TO its lofty summit in the short space Of
1--WE or six years, and thus present a structure &c
mankind which, like the ilustrous patriot to whom
1t Ia to be dedicated, will overtop all others in the
world, and be source of pride to every American
trust that the noble desire you express in the
conclusion Of your letter, that the whole nation
will respond to the call made to their patriotism
may be grathed, and that the magnificent struc-
ture now rising may soon reach its capstone, anc
forever stand as evidence of a nations gratitude
and landmark of liberty.
Your request, that the block of marble which hal
been sent may be placed soon as possible in the
Monument, shall be complied with.
II Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. WATTERSTON, Secretary.
DR.. F. 5. GIGkR, Philadelphia.
HoRTIcULTusAL.-The first exhibition of tn,
Horticultural Association was held on SATURDAY.
last at the hall over ID, Clagett's carpet store
The display was small, though creditable as |
commencement, and was witnessed by both ladies
end gentlemen. We trust and believe that tht
future exhibitions, on succeeding Saturdays of tn,
season, will be improved by the add ton of suct