Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-08

the NUMBER the great ulumYlrhle, Salhoull,
Clay, and Webster and we unhesitatingly pro.
nounce il as our humble judgment, that we
have rarely heard this address equalled, and
never surpassed. Our only regret, that went
through its whole delivery, occupying three
hours, was, that every man in Virginia could
not enjoy the same privilege.
Il was temperate but irm-cam yet lervid
and earnest--its iorcble arguments relieved
by the most thrilling eloquence-historical
without pedantry and ornate without pruri-
ency. lie riveted the attention Of his intelli-
gent auditory through the whole time, without
the slightest evidence of fatigue on their part,
plaudits OF the great mass before him. TWAS the
speech OF statesman, philosopher, scholar, and
gentleman. Here we stop. TO attempt from
memory even an outline Of such a speech were
not only work Of hardihood but an injustice
TO this brilliant effort which we have the hope
| OF laying before our readers in full. 1t was
really refreshing, in these days of political bit
| terness and rancour, 10 witness the respectful
attention paid to the distinguished Senator, and
not until after three cheers were proposed and
heartily given 10 him, was there any evidence
that every one OF his hearers was not'of his po-
litical friends. Then, when the meeting had
adjourned, some one proposed like numberfor
the indomitable and Ubiquitous "Sam," which
were in good merriment given by his friends,
and all left the hall, if not convinced, at least
illustrating the beautiful truth, that "it is good
for brethren to dwell together in harmony"
Thus ended this spirited and cheering meet
| ing Of the unfatering Democracy Of Fredericks-
burg, which, ii the same activity and enthusi-
| asm prevail in the other sections OF the State,
on the fourth Thursday of May next, poor Sam
| will be found laughing on the "other side Of
his mouth Ending our chapter here upon
| men and things political, we have thought to
| give our readers as relief from the thread
bare, and to many OF them we often fear, I'M
| interesting subject of politics, an account Of
the day or two passed III the old county of
Stafford, under the hospitable roof Of most
valued friend.
| All country people, who have the good for
tune to stay for the most part at home, have
an idea that every path is as plain and every
road as straight to a stranger rs to themselves,
and the good people Of Stafford form no ex-
ception TO this general rule. Hence, to all
of our inquiries about "the way" with great
unanimity we received that simplest of all re-
sponses, "Keep the straight road" We kept
| it-at least until we came to crooked road
and then we guessed-and not being a Yam
kee or the son of a Yankee, guessed wrong.
Of course. Once lost, we kept lost, trayers-
ing hill and dale for several hours, until a
friend whom we had not seen for years be-
fore, "good luck came to our aid, and we
reached safely our Portland drank ii too.
In and around this county there are many
interesting "reminiscences Of our early colonial
history, and at this precise point-Potomac
creek-the few Protestant folks were wont to
come over in 6arges from Maryland to wor-
ship, Maryland being settled almost entirely
by Catholics.
One Of these old colonial sanctuaries we
visited. IL is said to be two hundred years
old-is made Of English brick, and the walls
still stand in defiance Of the rude neglect they
have received-and the painted tapestry and
tablets containing the Lords prayer and creed
on the one hand, and the ten commandments
on the other, are almost entirely preserved,
after exposure TO the storms Of more than
century. As We sat musing beneath this half
roodess temple Of God, encompassed by IFS
rich dark shade, we could not repel the reaec-
ton that truly !" old things do pass away, and
all things become NEW" And yet there are
some things which time cannot touch us he
has touched this old church How nobly for
example, has the holy faith 10 which it was
dedicated, withstood his ruthless ravages, and
how i has grown and expanded into mighty
church Of millions since the primitive vista.
ton in those days TO the House Of God, in
simple barges. 1t is pleasant thought to
know, too, that great and good names IRE also
immortal, and may never be elfaced by time !;
but will linger around the generations who are
to come after them, as beacons to the same
bright goal they have attained.
" Time thou destroyest the relics OF the past,
i And hldest the footsteps Of thy march
On shattered column aud on crumbed arch
/ by moss and ivy, growing green and fast
Yet triumph not. oh Time strong towers decay
| But great name shall never pass away
What a contrast between a city and country
life! The subduing and harmonizing inau-
ences OF beautiful Nature and the genuine people
Of the former, instead Of the vapid pleasures.
wearying duties, shaken confidence in our kind,
which the latter begetsl We felt this in all
the iullness Of It's truth, and we hope OF profit
to ourselves.
Our life on earth is full OF cares
And the worn spirit of despairs
| Under the gfoanng load il bears
| When such dark moods will force their way,
When the soul cnua-s ho.vatir- thcr sway,
90 oun as have done today
Boon Nature is a foe, severe
/ To pallid brow and shadOvyy fear