Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1855-12-22

~ HATToN said
Il is, perhaps, proper that l should explain The
position which occupy in reference TO the bill
under consideration. As originally introduced into
this House, it contained but two names those of
Washington aud Jackson; gave to 1t al unhesita-
ting and hearty appreciation. 1t was subsequently,
Withdrawn, and returned with an amendment, add.
ing The name of another distinguished man to those
embraced in the bill, first presented Two other
names we're then added TO the bill, when was re-
rred TO the Committee on the Capitol. That com.
mttee have reported the bill back TO the House. re
commencing that the two names last inserted in the
bill be strch en- out Should the Recommendation
Of the committee be concurred in, it is my purpose
to vote for that part OF the bill providing for statues
of Washington and Jackson, and against that part
of It which adds TO these names, that OF Mr. Polk.
shall ask for division of the question to enable me
thus TO vote. desire to submit to gentlemen some
of the reasons controlling me in this determination;
why shall cordially support one part of the bill,
ami oppose the other. Hs.. -..
The placing of statues of Washington and Jack.
son in the inches prepared at the entrance to this
Hail, contemplated by the bill, would be alike hon.
orable to the memory of those distinguished men,
and 10 the people of Tennessee, whose gratitude
they are intended to commemorate. They will 81
ently, yet elOquenty, declare to those who shall
visit this Capitol, and look upon them, in coming
wears, not only that these men were, in the estima
ton OF renuesseans, great, but that Tennesseans
were grateful. ~
shall not offend the members upon shis|
floor with the enquiry, whether the memory
Of these men is deserving of such tributes? OF
Washington, nothing now be sad that has not
been long since, often better expressed. His most
highly wrought eulogy s his most faithfully written
history. Neither the embellishments Of fancy the
tnsengs of rhetoric, the aid of merericiOus or.
nament are necessary 70 render his personal vir-
tues a:tractive-to exhibit him as not merely among
the greatest and wisest-as the most wonderful OF
mankind, but the purest, the most incorruptble,
the disnterested patriot, that has appear
ed upon the theatre of the world. He was, Sir
pre- eminent Warrior Statesman, and as a
Christian. In his devotion to his country, he was
decided and inhexble. AS friend to every public
interest he was jealous and faithful And it was
10 the darkest hours OF the struggles of our Fathers
for independence, that in his attachment to the
cause of human liberty he was most unwaveriug
For his services he asked no reward The love of
his country was, to him, ample compensation. When
his labOrs no longer indispensable to their
safety and happiness, he surrendered into their
hands the authority with which they had invested
him. and retired to the privacy OF his home, leaving
behind him his pattrnal blessing and ferveu prayers
for their success and prosperity and carrying with
him the benedictions OF free and happy people.
We told by you, Sir, upon the Introduction
Of this bill, that in the public buildings of the Eu.
ropean States, to be seen pictures and statues
of Washington, which you have seen gazed upon
by visitors with reverence aud seeming delight
Yes, Sir, the despOtisms of Europe have rivaled
each other in doing honor to the name OF Washing
ton. Though not adopting the political principles
which he taught, they have, with at least seeming
pleasure, testified to his goodness and his greatness.
Nor has his name been confined to the bounds of
civilization. 1t is familiar to the wild Arab of the
desert and by the wandering Scythian, we told
by travellers, il is repeated with the fondest admira
ton. And so, Mr. Speaker, believe will his name
and the memory of his virtues, continue ever to be
cherished. Yes, Sir, we have the qualification OF
believing that in political sky, there is
that can be either obscured or extiDguished.
1t will shine on brighter and still more clearly
Ill il shall be lost in the eugence Of that day, fore
told in prophecy when the light of the second COM
ing OF the Son OF God shall arisel
We were also told by you, Mr.. Speaker, that in
travelling through France, you found, everywhere,
memorials of Napoleon the statues and pictures,
images Of wood and of clay, of iron and of brass of
every size and of every design. The French people
seem almost to have deifed him. Who he?
What was he? Whether in the Court in the
camp, ''n the capacity of a subaltern or an Empe-
ror" wearing the JackObin bonnet an iron crown,
he was, it has been said, alike the wonder and ter
ror OF the world With as much truth, it has been
said of him, by the same writer, that "he knew no
motive but interest, and worshipped no God but
ambition" Ill was, Sir, supremacy selfish. last
for glory not only nerged his arm and roned bis
soul, but deadened every feeling OF humanity, and
carried him over the manged aud bleeding heaps
OF his foes aud his countrymeD, to The dtd-o SELF,
where he worshipped.
From the contemplation Of such a character, with
what pride and admiration, with what gratitude aud
almost religious venera ton, do turn to the
-
II the Freedman thus loves-can thus reverence,
the memory OF Napoleon, should We not, almost,
worship the name Of Washington?
viii you pordon me, sir, for reminding you Of a
scene or two in his life? We cannot perhaps recur
to them, TOO often. See him addressing his army
drawn up before him. near the banks of the Jerseys
IL Is reduced in numbers, TO but handful degrees
ed by defeat and exhausted by fatigue, naked
barefoot destitute OF tents, and even Of utensils
With which to dress their scanty provisions; aud is
now, closely pressed, by a triumphant and ahun
dainty supplied force, under Losd Howe Despair
seems TO have taken possession OF the bosoms, not
only Of the little band, which stand weeping about
I him, but, OF the most ardent friends of liberty
throughout the country Desertions are almost hour.
ly, taking place. Hundreds daily going over to the
/ cause OF the Royasts. What is he SAYING? He is
pleading with his soldiers, not TO abandon him. As
Z he uneovers his head, aud the cold blasts Of the
uorth, play roughly with his locks hear him, while
he declares, that his life he can lay down. but the
/ nes.imabe blessings liberty he can never sur
I render; and that il those who stood before him.
would remain with him, they would save their
( country, or be mourned by herr See him again A
/ few nights aiterward. lie has recrossed the Della
ware; surprised aud captured the Hessans at Tren-
ton; triumphed over the British nj Princeton; and
filling bis countrymen With JOY and confidence, and
his enemy With terror and Consideration, has proved
~. - ~ 40 4.
Fabius, and the daring Of Marcellus,n but that in
love OF courtry, be rose superior 10 them both
Who IS that in yonder wood? IL is near the
banks Of the Hudson. Uninhuenced by the opn
ions Of those who scof at the idea that the God o
the Universe, gives himself any special cou.eru
about the destines Of either nations or individuals
aud who make themselves merry at what theJ
choose to term the simplicity ana weakness Of those
~ho feel Il to be their duty TO pray TO the DISPENSED
OF all good, Tor his psotsetion and for his bessing
upon their country, he Is upon his knees Ming
ling With the murmurings OF the brook and ID,
rusIing Of the ioresI foliage, the sabdued tones
his manly voice are heard, engaged In deVout sup
picatlon TO the God ia whom he upsis Who 4
he tie, wht' though he wears upon bis side. IN,
sword % the warrior, wears upon his heart the iin
/ sge Of his saviour. 1t Is Washington Hs saa,
ssu d1rsd-ieho sas Hsrrr ashamed, 70 DO rigltl
See him once more. The army OF the revolution
is jisDanded. He stands upon ihe aOos of Goa
gees In the presence Of q multitude assembled
10 behold thriF ehief, he says Mr. President hav
sng pessDfmed 10 the best OF my ahilty, tue wor.
assigned me, retire from the great gheAtre OF &C
ton, aad bidding this august body, uader who's,
orders, have 80 long acted, an aiiectlousIe fare
vel, and commencing our coabtEy 10 the Mind pro
lection OF Almighty God. regafn you sis, say con,
mission, and leave, forever, The empoyments Of pab
lie las." How sublime che pietasel But comSneu
were worse than wastelul sne ridiculous e1cess.
Lea not our vies ofthis his most wonderful act, b
enean6sred with The tawdry boaqsets Of theiOrie
Il . enough that j. bath spoken It's own praise