Washington sentinel., 1856-03-25
From the Richmond (Va) Wing of March 81,
MIR. Everett,s Grafton.

The First Baptist church was densely crowded
last night, at least half an hour prior to the
time appointed for the commencement of Mr..
Everetrs grafton before the Mount Vernon As
sociation. The audience included great mum
Der of ladies, who, of course, could not neglect
SO favorable an opportunity of seeing and
hearing one of the most prominent men of the
day; and their presence gave to the congrega-
tion an appearance SO attractive, that, we ven
ture to assert, quite as many eyes were directed
towards them as towards the distinguished
orator on the platform. 1t is almost unneces-
sary to say that in such a crowd, it was impos-
sible to commit the address to paper, and as
it is the especial desire of Mr.. Everett that it
shall not be reported In ertenso, we are content
to give the following brief and necessarily i'm
perfect sketch.
Mr. Everett was introduced to the audience
by Joseph Mayo, ESQ.,, amid enthusiastic ap-
plause. His oration, in order to conform to
the circumstances under which it was delivered,
was pleasantly interspersed with the illusions
to the Mount Vernon Association yet its great
theme was the relation of Washington, not
merely to the United States, but the age in
which he lived, and the true nature and moral
foundation Of his greatness. He quoted re-
mark Of Lord Brougham that Washington was
the greatest man of our own or any age" and
said that if the first part Of the remark were
true, the last was necessarily SO, inasmuch as
the period dating from the commencement of
the last century was unquestionably the richest
in great events, great names, and the general
grogress of intelligence, in the history of the
world. To illustrate this, the speaker took
rapid and comprehensive survey of what may
be called the age Of Washington, commencing
with the eighteenth century. Of all the great
names connected with the events Of this era,
although many shone with brightness, each in
its particular sphere, Washington, by general
| sdmission, on the whole outshone them all.
| This was further enlarged upon by mastery
comparison of Washington with the three per-
sons whom that age had distinguished by the
appellation of great, namely, Peter the Great,
Frederick the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte.
| The lecturer then passed to the inquiry in what
the true greatness Of Washington consists.
There could, he sad be no doubt that the
essence and strength of Washington's charac-
ter lay in two things--frst, in his possession,
in due proportion, each in the golden mean,
of all the powers and qualities required for the
useful and honorable discharge Of the duties Of
life; and, second in the pure morality which
lay at the foundation. The absence of dazzling
traits which strike the Imagination, so far from
needing an apology was in reality one of the
chief excellencies of the character of Washing
ton. But the pure morality of Washington's
character was the most important feature; and
Mr.. Everett declared it to be his decided con.
viction, that it was an important part of the
design of Providence, in raising up Washing
ton TO be the leader of the Revolutionary strug-
| gle, and afterwards the FIRST President Of the
United States to set before the people Of Anne.
rica, in the morning of their national existence,
living example to prove that armies may be
best conducted, just wars most successfully
fought, and government most ably and honora-
bly, administered, by men of sound moral
principle; to teach to gifted and aspiring
individuals, and the parties they lead, that,
though hundred crooked paths may conduct
TO temporary success, the one plain and straight
path Of public and private virtue can alone
/ lead to pure and lasting fame and the bless
ings ofposterity.
| Mr.. Everett then referred to the eminent
morality by which Washington was distin-
guished, contrasted him in this respect with the
peculating Marlborough, drew a vivid picture
Of Blenheim Castle and the sentiments it sug.
gested as compared with Washington's modest
home at Mount Vernon, and wound up by
magnificent assertion of the perpetuity Of the
Union.
After the close of the address, Gov. Wise
made speech, which we may notice more
particularly hereafter, and the Hon. John Tay.
lor followed in q brief complimentary speech.