Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-02
NUMBER 68.
REMARKS OF
HON. KENNETH RAYNER,

Il
tss or HEREFORD COUNTY,
On The Bin to !" aid in the erection Of monument
| co,amemorativo Of the DectGrasioa Of Americaa
Independence "-ia tho Senate Of North Carroll
ma, Jan 20, 1865. 3a7
Mr.. SPEAKER ~ have no idea OF making a
abored speech still less of attempting to anything
like an argument, ! hope no speech is necessary,
and argument does not befit the subject The re-
port on your table, which had the honor to sub
NIT some time since, sets forth in detail all the
facts connected with the history of this question.
| This movement In favor Of erecting a monument
! In Independence Square in the city Of Phladel-
i pha, commemorative of that great event in histo-
r not only Of this country but Of the progress Of
civilization and Of freedom throughout christcn-
/ dom, which proclaimed our independence as d ma
ton originated In feeling Of local patriotic pride
| on the part Of that city, which has much greater
cause to be proud of its having been the birth
place Of our independence than had the rival cities
of antiquity who contended for the birthplace of
Homer, cause for pride Of the honor which they
i claimed
This movement has been patrioticaly responded
to by nine Of the old thirteen States. Within the
last two days, have received telegraphic des-
patch, informing me that Delaware had just passed
bill, similar to the one now before u.s. by uran-
mous vote, In both branches Of her Legislature
This secures the contamination Of the project for
aswas originally provided in reference to the adop-
Il tiOn "a INC EcucTul WIcu ullc Oh LnC
original thirteen Statos have responded favorably
to the proposition, the monument is to be reared
by them alone, if the other four States hold back
/ Virginia and Maryland cannot respond till next
winter, inasmuch as their Legislatures are not in
session this winter. North Carolina now has the
matter under consideration, and, as North Caro-
lnian ! feel anxious that our State should be the
tenth to respond in favor Of the erection Of this
structure, designed to commemorate the greatest
| event In the history Of modern times and in me-
mortal Of the achievement Of the noblest body Of
| men that ever sat in conclavc upon the temporal
affairs Of government, or the political destiny ofa
nation, saving and excepting those only who framed
the Constitution Of the United States.
I know, sir, we live in an age which is eminentIy
utilltarian. All subjects of legislation, especially
those which contemplate an expenditure of money,
no matter h0wsocyer trihing, are looked at in the
main, with reference to the direct practical benefit
likely to accrue from them, in the advancement Of
either individual or national prosperity in pecu-
MARY point of view. This is question which ap-
peals to sentiment (which must rely on sentiment
for its favorable consideration But the highest
and noblest actions Of man spring from sentiment;
patriotism ID sentiInent-and so is devotion to
family, kindred and friends, to home and freside,
4 and household gods; and when we reflect that it
was TO this exuberance of ntiment in our revolu-
! tionary fathers that VIC arc indebted in the first
place, for our own national existence and in the
second place, for glorious institutions Of Anne
rcan liberty, which secure to US the successful
issue OF those practical and utilitarian pursuits that
have made US strong and powerful as nation de-
| veioped our industrial resources, and rewarded
| with the blessings Of competence and wealth the
honest toll Of millions. ! say, when we reflect on
this, we see that we violate no principle Of pru-
dence, economy, or practical utility, in honoring
and reverencing that sentiment of our fathers in
i which originated our happiness people.
| There is something in the human mind that
strives to associate abstract truth--the highest
moral attributes-with some physical embodiment,
4 appreciable by the senses. II was In this way,
mainly, that the philosophy of antiquity was taught
to the multitude. Their mighty temples, and col
unins, and arches, the very ruins Of which ex-
| cite in the traveller emotions of awe and wonder,
whilst they supernduce the most serious reflections
| as TO the purposes Of their construction-wcre not
so much designed TO foster superstition, and pam
| der to ambition, as to symbolic the moral sttri-
butes Of those members of the 0lympian family,
and to personate (if may so speak) the achieve
| ments of heroes and patriots in whose alteration
and memory they were reared. It Is this assoca-
ton In the mind of ideal beauty, or of some great
moral excellence, with physical representation,
that fires the genius of the sculptor, the painter,
and the architcct-the effect of which the unini-
tiated can feel but cannot artisticaly describe 1t
is this very association that is blended with the
granite of which this building is constructed. The
idea il exctes in the mind Of the beholder is not
80 much that Of comfort and convenience for those
| who may convene within its walls-as Of strength
and power, and permancncy of free Institutions IL
was drsigned TO secure, through the enactment Of
wholesome laws, by the republican representatives
| of a free people. .. ~ s r.-.@a--
| The object and design Of the proposed monu-
mcnt Is to present TO the senses the imbodimcnt
| of great moral truth, whose influence has been
felt throughout christendom, and which Is still 81
lently working its way, in its effects, upon the mo
raj, social, and political condition Of every nation
and people, where the name Of Washington has
been heard, and the flag of our country is seen.
It's conception does honor 10 the heads and bearts
that originated IT, and its execution viii confer still
greater bonof on those States who may voluntari-
y erect this tribute to the memory of those mighty
men, who promulgated our immortal gospel Of free
dom. Tho 4th day ofJuly 1776, was the birth
day OF our nation. It's anniversary return, ac-
cordlng to shc prediction of the elder Mr.. Adams,
has been from that day 10 this, observed as day
Of rejoicing, ofbonfres and illuminations through
out the land and as settlement, civilization, rc-
| giou liberty, and law advance, commensurately
with the extension of our country, II finds still
wider scope and verge for its observance. II is
our only national jubilee, and dead indeed to every
feeling OF patriotic pride must be that mans heart
that's not warmed up, expanded and elevated at
| its annual return. An opportunity Is now offered
TO the old thirteen States ofshowng their devotion
to the great principles of free government contail-
cd in that charter Of our liberties then asserted
and declared and Of manifestng our gratitude TO
| those bcro-statesmcn who imperiled "life and
fortune, and sacred honor in their maintenance
and defence. An opportunity is now offered Of tes
tfying, in monumental marble, our appreciation OF
our great national birthrght and glory; and OF in
| scribine thereon the names Of those TO whom VIC
are indebted for this nestimable heritage Of free
dom.
| If there Is any ono fact clearly established By
history, Il Is this, that nations and people are
purcst and most patriotic in their early history,
and that their national character is formed in
very great degree, by the peculiar associations Of
their national origin. The ordeal through which
they usually have 10 pass in establishing their
tional existence, being 6ery one, is purifying in
its tendency. Homcr's great epic Of the Trojan
war, whether true or false went very FAR in form
ing in the Grecian mind, that peculiar ideal Of the
harnic The disinterested. and nntriotic. which