The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-23

constitution, brought to the work thorough know
ledge OF the science of government, a practical eX-
perience an ardent patriotism, and an earnest, un-
selfish desire to promote the best welfare of the
whole country. Sectional feelings If they Temporal
my existed, were finally surrendered, personal pre-
ierences were, abandoned, and upon the altar of a
common country local Interests private feelings and
individual rights were freely offered up a sacrifice.
Looking to the fate of the ancient republics of
Carthage, Greece, and Rome, the Italian republics
of the Middle Ages, and the more modern republics
Of continental Europe they cautiously avoided their
defects, and as skfully applied all their virtues
'UnembarTassed by attachments to noble families
hereditary lines and SUGGESTIONS, any consdera-
tons of royal blood even the pous mystery of holy
OIL had no more influence than that other one of holy
water. The experiment made, and has COM
pleely succeeded 1t can no longer be called in ques
tlon whether authority in magistrates and obedience
OF citizens can be grounded on reason morality
and the Christian religion, without the mockerv of
priests or the knavery of politicians" After the
adopnon OF the constitution, Washington was unani.
mously elected the first President and on the 3Oth
of April, 1885, the oath of Office was administered
by the Chancellor of the State of New York. in front
OF the old Federal Hall, in Wall street on the site Of
the present custom house. Officers of the First d.
vision! Soldiers of the Eighth regiment The Second
and Third regiments of the former organization of
the present First division, were on duty at that time
Captain afterwards GeneraD Jacob Morton, was in
command of one of the companies The flags used
by the Second regiment upon that occasion are now
in the possession of the Common Council of this
city. The Bible on which Washington was sworn is
in the care of st. Johns Lodge No. Of Free Ma
sons and has been used at every Inauguration from
that time to the present 1t will undoubtedly be
used at the Inauguration of General Pierce. Il is
precious relic, held sacred by the Lodge, and when
required TO be used sent to Washington city in the
charge OF a committee of masons The old Butcher
troop so called from the fact that all the original
members were butchers, was raised about the year
1905, and was subsequently commanded by Captain
Joseph O. Bogert well known and highly respected
citizen. The second troop OF the regiment, the
Washington Greys, is Of more recent origin, and was
raised by Captain Edward Phillips, patriotic and
valuable man. During the war of 1872 the regiment
mustered into the service of the United States
under the command of Colonel o. Bogert, who was
succeeded by Colonel William T. Hunter who con-
tinued as its head for several years He was fol-
lowed by Colonel James Lee, Colonel Nathan, T.
Arnold, Colonel Charles W. Sanford, Colonel George
P. Morris, Colonel William Hall, Colonel John w.
Avery, Colonel John w. Styles, Colonel William
Borden, and Colonel Thomas 4. Devoe, it's present
popular commandant The regiment has been re-
markable in many ways but in none more 80 than in
the number of eminent men who have been attached
to its ranks. 1t was the military school of four if
not five, general officers. The first of these dis
tingushed himself in many battles, and was after
wards Generalin-Chief of the United States Army
l refer to MajorGener Alexander Macomb. Vete-
rams OF 1872 many OF you now present can testify to
his val0r at Fort George, Niagara, and the fields
Of Plattsburg, which bespeak his courage, military
skill, and devotion to the cause Of his country
General Macomb was always proud of his connection
with the old Third regiment, and at large ban
to it in the most gratifying language. My friend Of
the right, the present efficient and deservedly pOpu
lar commanding officer OF the division, Major
General Charles w. Sanford, was promoted from
this regiment | am looking for my friend Morris,
the poet General-aye, there he is-he Of whom
Willis has truly said Morris has hung the most
beautiful thoughts in the world upon hngesof honey
and his songs destined to roll over bright lips
enough to form sunset" He too, sprung from the
ranks Of this popular corps; and Of the many
thousands who belonged to the division at the time
he joined it, am informed, &e is the only one who
now belongs to it, General William Hall, now com
handing the third brigade, succeeded General Nor
ris in the command of the regiment. General
Hall, in addition to his various military commits
sons has filed other the important public trusts;
councils Of the city. It is believed Also that Gene.
raj Jacob Morton commenced his military career in
the Second regiment. There are many others whom
/ might honoraby mention, but | forbear. Two,
however, may recall to your recollection the for.
mer Adjutant, Abraham Brevroort, now Lieutenant
Colonel of the Marine Corps of the United States,
and Colonel Richard NJ. Hoe, the inventor Of the
lightning printing press, o public benefactor whose
name will descend to posterty with those OF Frank
lin, Morse and Fulton. New York Volunteers! Gal
liant remnant of many hard fought field, you whose
names are mperishaby connected with Cerro Gord0,
Contreras, Cherubusco, and Chepultapec-you, too,
many Of you, owe your first rudimeAts Of military in
struction and martial aspirations to its tmehOnored
ranks; honor to your valor, and may that JUSTICE
hitherto deferred, be rendered by grateful country
your WORTH GentlcfHen, nave Calleu yOul atttI-
ton to the circumstances under which your cOnstu-
ton formed, and OF its practical workings. lts
effects may be seen in your crowded narts, your
widespread commerce, your noble temples Of arts
and religion your system of education your prosper
GUS mechanics, your growing city and the general
prosperity and happiness of the country. Gentle
men, that constitution is your inheritance. It be.
longs to you to say whether it shall be squandered
and wasted, or whether it shall be transmitted, as
you received it, unimpaired, to your posterity. The
spirit of Washington, speaking in his farewell ad-
dress, invokes you to your duty. Other and unhoy
influences may beset you. you may be exposed to
the deceit and wiles Of reckless adventurers the in
sidious appeals of unprincipled demagogdes may af
feet your passions but, gentlemen, conjure you
yield not raise not sacrilegous hand against that
sacred instrument of your liberties, and to the deer
damnation Of eternal nfamy be consigned the tempte
and the traitor. An American citizen has many
duties to perform to his country No pomp Of birth
no pride of ancestry, no heraldic lineage, or armo
rial bearings, grace his name, or affect his destiny
Himself sovereign, as Louis XIV. exclaimed
:" am the State" the American citizen proudly re
plies, "The State is in me-" For polnlei v0r es
Del "The voice OF the people is the voice OF S}V.
The chief magistrate Of this great commercial ME
few days since, passed through our city to fulfil Tho
high duties imposed upon him by the SURFACES O
his fellow citizens as the executive head of the ma
ton, ne is one Ct the peoples and in what consists
their power! Why is it that their simple request
assumes all the Importance of, and is obeyed as, a
command. 1t is because through them the people
speak, because in them they recognise the legal EN-
bodment of their wishes and the protector Of their
rights; because here, above all other lands,
Sovereign law, the States collected will
O'erglobes and thrones eate
Sits Empress-crowning good, REFRESHING ill.n
Cherish, then, fellow citizens above all other DOS
sessions-chcrish those principles which Washing
ton has inculcated. Let his admonitions be always
uppermost in your thoughts. Citizens of common
country, that country has right to concentrate
your affections. Avoid all combinations and asso
Citations under whatever plausible character, the
real design of which is to direct, control, or awe
the regular deberation and action of the constituted
authorities" "Guard against the baneIul effect of
mere party spirit" Observe good faith and justice
towards all nations" Against the insiduous wiles
ALL preserve that unity of government which consti-
tutes you one people, Remember, gentlemen, that
governments are not formed in day. Political in