American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-22

Government being thus established, ne was
by the unanimous voice of his country
called TO the Presidential Office, that by
his wisdom and influence he might putin
10 practice and consolidate those new and
untried institutions, by which all tie .
blessings acquired by the Revolution and
by that Government were TO
be practically secured to the people of the
Uni:cd States. lie served till the success |
Of tie experiment was demonstrated. lie
retired then to his beloved Mount Vernon,
and there passed in honored privacy the
remainder of his life. Where can anoth- |
er such character be exhibited on the pages
Of history? Providence intended him for
"a model. She has made his character
cover the whole space of political aud of
private life. She trained him up in the
humblest walks of private life. There he
knew the wants and wishes and condition
of the humblest Of his fellow citizens
The confidence which he inspired every
where spread with evey step that he ad-
vanccd in life. He became commander of
The army. With all the military despotism
that belongs to such state, he used his
power without the oppression of human
being. During seven years war, amid
such trials and troubles as no people ever
saw, in no exigercy, by no extremity, was
he driven TO the necessity of committing
a treSspass or wrong upon any man, or
any mans property. lie needed no act Of
amnesty Afterwards, by the Government,
to protect him against personal response
bili.y which acts of violence might have
rendered necessary TO others. He led
you triumphan0y on. He was an exam
pie 10 all military men. He became Pres
ident. He has left us an example there,
10 which we look back with iilial reverence,
and long, long may we do so.
/ Before his retirement from Office, he
made to the People of the United States
that Farewell Address" SO familiar to
the thoughts Of us all. 1t contains, as he
himself said. the advice off parting friend.
who can possibly have no personal motive
TO bias bis counsel 1t was the gathered
wisdom Of all his life and Of all his expe-
rience. What a legacy We rejoice in
riches that no nation ever knew before. -
What arc the mines of California, with
their perishing gold, to this? You have a
legacy left you, in the wisdom Of that man,
that is above all price. Tho Romans shout
cd, tie Romans exulted, when Mark An
tony told them that Caesar had left them a
few denarii, and the privilege of walking
in his gardens. That was the Imperial be-
quest. How ignoble, how trifing doesthe
Roman seem 10 you, countrymen, who
exut to-day in the legacy which was left
you in the Farewell Address of Washing
ton. That is imperishabe So long as We
, remember it, twill render our Govern.
ment and our liberties imperishable; and
when we forget it, it will survive in the
memory, trust in God, of some other
people more worthy of it, even if it he tc
shame this degenerate Republic. Tba
; Farewell Address contains wisdom enough
we but attend to it-coniains lessons e.
, nough 10 guide us in all our duties as cit
izens. and in all our public affairs. There
are two subjects which recent occurrences
, have turned our attention to with particu
lar interest, and which may be allowed
on this occasion to advert to, in no spiri
of controversy ur of unkindness towards
any one, but in that spirit which induces
me 10 desire TO spe every lesson of Wash
ing'on daily, and constantly, and freshly
brought 10 the mind ofevery citizen of th,
United States. TO my children they wer,
brought as their first lessons. There il
none too old TO profit by them. and they
: cannot be learned too early. You are ia
. miliar with that Address, gentlemen, ant
. > | will therefore only ask you to allow M
! to allude TO the two subjects upon whicl
! he has been peculiarly emphatic in his ad
vice. The one is to preserve the Union q
!, these States, that, he says, is the mai
VI pillar OF the editce Of our indepencenc
4 and of our liberties; frown down every a,
- tempt TO bring il into question, much les
~ :, to subvert it; when it is gone, all is gone
~ Let us heed this lesson, aud be careful.
q a trust in God we have no grounds to az
II prehend such degree ofoppression as wi
compel us to raise our suicidal arms f
III the destruction of this great Government
= and of this Union which makes US brett
" ren. / do not allow my mind TO look 70
~ ward TO such disaster | will lookupc
~ this Union as indissoluble, and as firm
'h rooted rs the mountains Of our native lam
a. will hope so; | will believe SO. | will
~ ~ act, and nothing buta necessity, invinc
- bic and overwhelming, can drive me
~ disunion. This is the sentiment, as II
EN, derstand it, which Washington inculcate
~ Thank God, we have every hope Of Il
c.n restoration of every kind feeling no,
IN which made us in times past a united ban
as of brothers from one end of this land to Il
20 other.
-, But thero are external dangers, also,
% gainst which Washington warns US; al
'in 1 that is the second subject to which d
eu sire to ask your attention. Beware,
~ says, of the introduction or exercise Of
sn foreign influence among you, We are
y mericans. Washington has taught us, a
~ we have learned to govern ourselves.
70 the rest of the world have not yet learn
20 that great lesson, how shall they teach u
w Shall they undertake to expound TO us t
Nv Farewell Address of our Washington, or
W on influence us to depart from the policy recol
lh m monded by him? We are tho teacher
eu '; and they have not or they will not lean
s.s u. and yet they como to teach us. BE jcalo,
l,,' lss he said, Of all foreign influence, and en-
Sn' into cntangling alliances with none.
AS' The sword and the bayonet have be
'oo useful in defending the rights and libcrt