The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-03-09

George Washington.
In the absence of any news, to be attrib-
uted to the non-arrival Of the mail, we can
find nothing, in our opinion, SO acceptable
to our readers as the following eloquent ex-
tract from the celebrated funeral Grafton of
the accomplished and chivalric Maj General
LEE, of Virginia, on the death of WASHING
TON, delivered Dec. 26th, 1899 General
LEE was one of the men, of whom the "Old
Dominion" has furnished many Others, who,
uniting the most brilliant talents with great
culture, was eminently fitted to do jus ice to
the mighty theme We will be mistaken if
our readers do not peruse it with intense in
terest -
1.-The founder of our federal republic our
bulwark in war, our guide in peace, is no more .
Oh that this were but questionable Hope,
the comforter of the wretched,would pour into
our agonizing hearts its balmy dew. But alas !!
there is no hope for US our Washington is re-
moved forever! Possessing the stoutest frame
and purcst mind, he had passed nearly to his
sxty-eighth year, in the enjoyment of high
health, when, habituated by his care Of us to
neglect himself, slight cold, disregarded, be-
came inconvenient Oh Friday, oppressive on
Saturday, and, defying every medical interpos-
itiOn, before the morning of Sunday, put an
end to the best of men. An end did say p
his fame survives bounded only by the limits
of the earth, and by the extent of the human
mind. He survives in our hearts, in the grow
ing knowledge of our children, in the affections
of the good throughout the world; and when
our monuments shall be done away when na-
tions now existing shall be no more when
even our young and far-spreading empire shall
have persisted, still shall our Washington's
glory unfaded shine, and die not until love
or virtue cease on earth, or earth itself sinks
into chaos.
How, my fellow citizens, shall single to
your grateful hearts his pre-eminent worth
Where shall begin in opening to your view
character throughout sublime? Shall speak
of his warlike achievements, oil springing from
obedience to his country's will-all di. ected to
his coIntry's good. "a
Will you 60 with me to the banks of the
Monongahela, to see your youthful Washing
ton, supporting in the dismal year of Indian
victory, the ill-fated Braddock, and saving, by
his Judgment and biz valor, the remains of
defeated army, pressed by the conquering saw
age foe? Or, when oppressed America, nobly
resolving to risk her all in defence of her vic
lated rights, he was elevated by the unanimous
voice Of Congress to the command of her ar
mics. Will you follow him to the high
grounds of Boston, where to ar undisciplined,
courageous, and virtuous yeomanry, his pres
ence gave the stability of system, and Infused
the invincibility of love of country; or shall
carry you to the painful scenes of Long Island,
York Island, and New Jersey, when, combating
superior and gallant armies aided by powerful
fleets, and led by chiefs high in the roll of
fame, he stood, the bulwark Of our safety, un-
dismsyed by disaster; unchanged by change of
rious fields of Trenton, where deep gloom
unnerving every arm, reigned triumphant
through our thinned, worn down, unaided
ranks; himself unmoved. Dreadful was the
night. It was about this time of wnter-the
with floating ice, forbade the approach of
man. Washington, selfcollected, viewed the
tremendous scene-his country called; unap-
palled by surrounding dangers, he passed to
the hostile shore; he fought; he conquered.
The morning sun cheered the American world.
Our country rose on the event; and her daunt-
less chief, pursued his blow; completed in the
lawns of Princeton, what his vast soul had
conceived on the shores of the Delaware. :
Thence to the strong grounds of Morris
town he led his small but gallant band; and
through an eventful winter, by the high Efforts
ofhis genius; whose matchless force was meas
urable only by the growth of difficulties, lie
held in check formidable hostile legions, con-
Quoted by chief experienced in the art Of
war, and famed for his valor on the ever MEM
orable heights of Abraham, where fell Wolfe,
Montcalm, and since, our much lamented Mont
gomery-all covered with glory. In this fortu-
nate interval produced by his mastery conduct,
our fathers, our selves, animated by this resist
less example, rallied around our country's
standard, and continued to follow her beloved
chief through the various and trying scenes to
which the destinies of our Union led. -
Who is there that has forgotten the wales of
sBrapdywine- fields of Germantown-or
the plains Of Monmouth? Everywhere pres
ent, wants Of every kind obstructing, nufner-
Gus and valiant armies encountering, himself q
host, he assuaged our sufferings, limited our
privatiens, and upheld our tottcring republic.
Shall / display to you the spread Of the fire of
hiS soul, by rehearsing the praises of the Hero
of Saratoga, and his much loved compeer Of
the Carolinasf No; our. Washington wears
No sbosrowed glory; to Gatesr7tp Greene. he
gave without reserve the applause due to their
alsjpont perit and long may the chiefs Of Sar-
atoga, and Of Eutaws, receive the aratefil res
ps:t Of - grateful people.