Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-22
wAsHINGToN,s BIRTHDAY.

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
1t has been beautifully observed by one Of
our poets that the Christian Sabbath is the
golden clasp which binds together the volume
Of the week. The thought is expressive and
poetic, and may be applied with equal pro-
priety to the recurring political anniversaries
which freemen delight to honor. Not only are
these festivals just tributes to the memory
Of great men and of heroic deeds, but they
are useful and wholesome monitors in their
effect upon the minds and the hearts of q peo-
pie. They are, indeed, those hallowed foot
prints on the sands of time," which, in the
beautiful sentiment Of the poet revive the
dropping hearts Of the weary wayfarers along
the road of life.
The custom Of hallowing particular days and
epochs, in those remote ages, whose dim
and misty memories form the morning twilight
OF history. They had their uses then in per-
petuatng, like storied monuments, the great
events Of the past, when imperfect and fading
manuscripts, or verses chaunted by the rudescald
and classic bard were the only records of the
heroic deeds OF former DAYS. The custom so
essential to history then, is preserved from a
higher motive now 1t results from gratitude
for services rendered, from admiration for enter
prises accomplished.
The Birthday of Washington carries us
back, irresistiby, to the earlier period of our
history, when the American Revolution, under
his auspices and his guidance, was consum-
mated. In contemplating this, the greatest
political event in modern times, we cannot fail
to be struck with the moderation and conser-
gative feeling that controlled movement so
radical and complete This feeling, so different
from the excess which usually controls political
revolutions, and which stained the purity of lib
erty in France with the best blood her citizens.
is attributable to several causes. The Anglo
Saxon character is far more conservative and
far less liable to run into excuses than that of
any other race. This fact is established not
only in the history Of our own revolution,
but in the gradual changes, which have been
made through long series of years in the
English Constitution. These changes, in but
few instances, were effected by bloodshed or
popular commotion, and in not a solitary
case by excuses of radicalism, or Jacobin
cruelty. Another more important element in
checking the excess generally incident upon
revolution was found in the jealousies among
the several colonies themselves, which though
never rancorous, not even the common cause
Of liberty could entirely dispel. This political
indiyidualism effectually prevented any serious
popular excuses and confined the action Of the
peopleto the attainment of the special objects
wholesome state Of feeling was also due in a
great degree to the personal individhalism Of
the colonists, resulting from several causes,
among which may be prominently ranked, the
agricultural pursuits ofthe people, the sparse
ness Of population, and their Anglo-Saxon jeal-
ousy Of the encroachments of government
But probably there were none of these
causes which tended more to this pacific result
than the moderation and patriotism Of Wash
ington himself IL can scarcely be doubted
that in the enthusiasm and delight which sue.
ceeded the contamination Of their liberties, the
colonists would have denied nothing to the am
biion of their successful leader. But even
when thus elevated upon the mountain Of
temptation, he spurned alike the allurements
Of power, Of wealth. and Of ambition--with
frmness and a virtue which has but one ex-
ample even in sacred history. Thus, in the
language engraven on his monument, he'"h
rendered his name dear TO his fellow-citzens
and given the world an example Of true glory
Pat 80, he alb r.
birth, but half express our generation for the
memory Of Washington, If we failed to recur
TO those wholesome lessons OF mutual love and
mutual forbearance which he has bequeathed
to the different sections Of our country. SENT.
ments familiar to our ears as household words
have lost their real force from our intimate ac-
quaintance with the language in which they
are expressed. Many con the language Of his
Farewell Address, with the same reverence,
but as little regard to its real meaning; as an
ignorant papist patters his Pater or his Ave.
But let US not forget the solemn warning and
wholesome advice contained in these almost
prophetic words:
ain contemplating the causes which may
disturb our Union, IL occurs, as a matter OF
serious concern, that any ground should have
been furnished for characterizing parties by
geographical determinations Northern and
Southern-Atlantic and Western; whence de.
signing men may endeavor to excite belief
that there is a real difference Of local interests
and views. One Of the expedients OF party to
acquire influence within particular districts, is
20 misrepresent the opinions and aims Of other
districts. You cannot shield yourselves too
much against the jealousies and heartburnngs
which spring from these misrepresentation
they tend TO render alien to each other those
who ought TO be bound together by fraternal
affection
Brief as is the history Of our country, the at.
tempt has already been made to establish these