Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-03-26


" No people can claim, no country can
appropriate him, the boon of Providence
to the human race; his fame is eternity,
and his residence creation"
The bright morn of this suspicious
day was ushered in, in many places, by
the firing of cannon, the martial music
of fife and drum, the conductors of free
dom; but without any such demonstra-
tons of this kind, we, the people of
Poolesville and vicinity, feel DESTROYS of
offering up heartfelt testimonial of re-
spect. to the memory of that great and
good man, whose birthday we meet to
celebrate, in view of his gallant and pa
triotic achievements, which stand out in
bold relief, in giving to the name of
Washington place higher in the temple
of fame and in the pantheon of history
individuals usually estimate the in
trinsic value of any acquisition by the
standard of its actual cost. The same
rule with equal propriety might be ap-
piled to nation, in putting proper
estimate upon the blessings of American
liberty and independence; and if we
apply this rule with regard to the value
of American institutions, what stupen-
dous amount of suffering, of treasure, of
blood, and life itself, did our republic
cost Such is the yastitude of the
achievement that the mind cannot con-
ceive, the imagination cannot grasp, the
lips Of human cloquence cannot express
any apprcciablc idea of the cost, or the
value of the acquisition. Some conclu-
sion might be arrived at relative to the
cost and value of our Union, could we
behold the widows and orphans tears
streaming down their cheeks like flowing
waters from the gushing fountains; or,
could we imagine the inexpressible an
guish of those hearts, made desolate by
the loss Of husband, father, brother,
or near and dear relative, and thrown
out upon the charity of the world; also,
could we gather in one reservoir all the
blood split upon the field of carnage, in
defending the liberties of our country
could We behold the dying and the dead
enjoy tore themselves from their homes
and their endearing associations, and
placed themselves at the mouth of the
cannon, or in front of the glittering
sword, and yielded up their lives upon
the altar of their country's independence,
we might form some conception of the
cost and value of our common country.
| 1n'whatever light, sir. we view Wash
ington--in whatever position we find hin
placed. surrounded By circumstances o
prosperity or adversely, victory or dis
comfiture, we sec development of those
traits of character formed in youth, grow.
ing with his growth, increasing with his
strength, and adapted to all the diversi-
fed situations in which he was called to
act, and the pursuits in which he was en-
gagged.
1t is not then matter of wonder that
such a parsonage as Washington should
have been selected as the deliverer of our
country, and to work out for us the
priceless inheritance of liberty, because
he was fitted for this purpose by nature,
by education, anc. circumstances.
What confidence must have been
placed in the youthful Washington by
Gov. Dinwiddie, Of Virginia, when at
the age of twcnty-one he appointed him
as a special messenger to the commander
of the French troops, along the Ohio
river, with reference to the order of the
Governor of Canada, concerning the stop
ping of the trade Of the Ohio Company,
consisting Of British and American mer-
chants on the waters of the Ohio river
In carrying out his instructions, he gave
assurance that the trust reposed in him
was never betrayed, and that he was
worthy of the honor, which he wore with
becoming modesty. Look at him slibse-
quently when he was appointed Lieuten-
ant Colonel, and took command of the
British forces against the Indians and
French at the battle of the Great Mead
ows, when only twenty-five years Of age,
he fronted the enemy, he inspired his
troops with courage and hope Of success,
and fought battle, which for Indian des.
peration, was unequaled, and for bravery
and discipline on the part Of the English,
was unsurpassed and take it altogether
was such battle as had not been seen
since the days of Leonidas and his brave
Spartan band; a battle, the result Of
which, though uDfavorablc for the Brit
sh, would have entitled an experienced
officer to especial praise, and which did
win for the youthful Washington an i'm
perishable fame for bravery, prudence
and military skill.
Again, we find him associated, as aid,
with Gen. Braddock, an old and ex-
perienced officer; look at the sagacity Of
young Washington in company with his
General, near Pittsburg, in an engage
mcnt with the Indians, in counseling
Braddock how to meet the enemy. Brad
dock becomes angry and says, at is high
times when a young Virginan can teach
British officer how to igbt!' His coun-
sci was not needed, bis advice was not
taken, and the result was the defeat Of
the British with loss Of seven or eight
hundred men, which might have been
prevented if Washington could have in
duced Braddock TO that mode Of warfare
suited to such an enemy. The sequel
proved that the young Virginian, the i'm
mortal Washington, was capable Of teach
ing British officer how to figAt the In
dams. In this engagement, Braddock
was MORALLY wounded, and notwithstand-
ing the manner in which Washington had
been treated by him. mortified at his ar
rogsnce, if not iusultcd by his language,