Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-03-26
fOasbineton' 8 Birtboap.
Celebration of the 22d of February
at POOlesville, Md.

at FOOltStiIlcs N1u.
Pursuant to previous arrangements the
members ofthe "Poolesville Polemic Soci-
ETY." held meeting in the Presbyterian
Church, on the 22d of February, for the
purpose of celebrating Washington's
Birthday An invitation having been
given to the public to attend, large con-
course of ladies and gentlemen were pre-
sent. MIR. ISAAC You've having read the
E" Farewell Address in a clear, distinct
and impressive manner, A. E. SopER,
Esq, delivered the following
GRAFTON:
| Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I exceedingly regret that the distin-
guished honor which has been conferred
upon ME, Of pronouncing an Grafton COM
memorative of the birthday of the immor-
tai pdter pdtrio, had not been assigned
to some Literate, who, from educational
advantages, could have brought to his
aid profound erudition, classical literature
and power of elocution, to have enabled
him to do the subject that amount of
justice which its Importance demands
And, sir, were it not that feel under
an obligation which sense of duty i'm
poses, by virtue of the relation | sustain
to the Poolesville Polemic Society at all
times, to the utmost of my ability, to
respond to any requisition which may
be enjoincd upon me, | would shrink
from the performance Of the task with a
difidence and reluctance commensurate
with its magnitude. For, sir, | would
not voluntarily place myself in position
where with truth and propriety it might
be said that fools will rush where wise
men fear to tread" And when | reflect
that so vast a theme as that which contem-
plates the goodness, the greatness, the
grandeur and the fame of such world
renowned bencfactor as GEORGE WASH
: INGToN, is invested with sufficient inter-
est to elicit the attention and command
the talents and oratorcal powers Of SO dis
t tingulshed literary parsonage as an Ed
: ward Everett, in connexion. with other
towering intellects, and all their learning
/ and eloquence appropriated and dedicated
to an exposition of his life and character, ]
t feel persuaded that an humble individual
! like myself, should be prompted by the
) teachings of self respect and modesty not
o to presume to follow in the I" footsteps Of
such luxurious predecessor The same
= partiality which induced the members Of
this society, through feelings of personal
friendship, to select me as the crater up
: on this occasion, must present to their
minds the necessity of throwing the veil
= of charity over the few desultory remarks
. | shall make in carrying out the object
; designed; and should they fail in real
! izing from me, if they anticipate it, any
u effort worthy of the cause / advocate,
o hope they will fill up the full measure Of
0 that disappointment by taking the will
Q for the deed"
n There is, sir, no greater evidence Of
the fallacy of the oft repeated and gen.
}. orally conceded assertion that republics
r are ungrateful," than the periodical
assembling of the people in celebrating
the great and distinguished achievements
of their great and illustrious men, and
: there is no stronger proof Of the want Of
national patriotism than when the people
abstain from the observance of such long
: established usage which love of liberty
e inspires, and gratitude suggests In this
n respect, sir, the American people have ever
= cherished deep and abiding vcneration
for her national benefactor, aud will con-
4 tinue to do so until patriotism is drowned
h in the turbulence of scctionalism, and
It submerged in the vortex of fanaticism
> which trust in God may never be the
fate Of the American Republic, "the land
q of the free and the home of the brave"
/. The recurrence ofsuch periodical dem
i onstrations is associated with the pleasn-
e rable "reminiscences of the past, and the
j. bright hope of the future, and guaran-
+ tees the perpetuity Of our republican
IS institutions. 1t recalls wildly to our
+ imaginations those privations and suffer
ings experienced by the patriots of the
revolution it brings fresh before our
visions the immediate causes which led
to separation from the mother country,
and portrays in brilliant colors the tyranny
Z and oppression which the American colo
4 nists submitted to before they determined
] to throw off the yoke of British agrees
sion, showing clearly that there is time
; in the history ofman when 'forbearance
ceases TO be virtue
1t also presents an interesting and
! instructive moral to the youth Of our
: country, the young and rising generation,
y the future hopes Of our republic; it teaches
t them the lessons Of patriotism, by study
ing the character of Washington; it i'm
presses upon them the necessity of being
ready in all emergencies to defend the
rights Of their country, when those rights
are invaded, and like him to be prepared
: at all times, when duty calls them from
| the homes Of ease and plenty, to the dan
I gers Of the battle field it also teaches
5 them that if they would be in manhood
what Washington was-if they desire to
have their names inscribed upon the
heart Of nations gratitude, they must
lay in youth, as he did, the foundation
of their future usefulness and greatness,
so, that, like him, they may be "honored
, while living aud lamented when dead"
| The prominent traits Of character devel.
oped by Washington in youth we're
conscientious regard for the truth--for
We arc Informed that he never polluted
bis lips by falsehood--a strict conformi-
~ to parental instruction and discipline,