Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-26

SEEN To US, who have received and now enjoy
the many blessings of civil and religious freedom,
OF this vast and powerful Republic how cherished
and dear should be the name WAsHlN6ToN,
by whose valor, whose skill. whose statesmanshp,
whose patriotism and whose wisdom, these were wor
from sforeign toe and guaranteed by Constitutional
Government. Yonder incompatible Statue is but
an imperfect offering to such vast blessings. 1t
speaks to the eye. 1t may be lasting memorial Of
our thanks and our gratitude. But this is nothing,
absolutely nothing, If We strive not to initiate, and i'm
pciy follow, the advice and practices Of the CREST
original. 1t hopeless to expect that the best
would ever equal this and admirable preoeptor
but all may profit BY bis example. And so, thanks
be given TO an all~se Providence. here boldly pro-
nounoe, has been the influence of the name Of WASH
ISoroS, in the past history Of our Country. Dead
though he be, entombed now for more than City
years, the magic spell Of his name, bis counsel and
his deeds, are oftep controlling In the affairs of be-
loved Country. 10 bis case ''the dead do govern,
and the living do obey" 1t Is through his magic
name,-the good, the wise, the patriotic mighty
dead, whose model life, has never ceased to influence
and mainly to direct the destiny of this great people,
The obedience Of the living, has been. when the
times Of trial have srisen never yet withheld. This
is higher far higher offering, to the memory Of the
ever to-be beloved and admired man. than any frail
statue, chseled out or perfected by the most accom-
pished artist Let US then here to-day on this ami.
vereary OF the birthday Of this wonderful man. in the
presence Of thousands, and before our Country and
our God esch for himself, soemnly determine never
to put aside the teachings or contemu tho practices
OF him to honor whom that statue hss been by the de-
votion Of Virginia, here erected.
Then We shall give perpetuty to his heroic examples
have secured the fruits Of bis inceesant toll and labor
his self denial, bis wisdom and his patriotism. Then
shall for all time have guaranteed the inestimaoe
blessings of permanent and just and good government
Then shall we crush out strife and faction, and ad
vance pesce and kindness among our people. Then
shall We perfectly enjoy all that bis patriotism bad
designed and bis widom had offered to ble.s his
countrymen. And then shall We have created
monument more durable than human hands can
gon,rive; II will be living, enduring obedience, in
long stream Of generation upon generation to the
par,iog ami rs'-rn-l appeal oi WAsHIEoToS 10 bis
C,ur'rv,r.n But must turn from this theme: its
t.: = an1 IS richness leave to your intelligence to
exhaust.
W.:. IL ofths Masonic Order, 1t is subject Of sn
ss.,ac,ion, that the designers Of th;. assneS e
WAsHIEeros, so many others, bright lights Of Ma.
eonry. Among them be more honored than the
names of ARsHALL, LEWIS and of NELsos.-theg great
jurist and the gallant soldiers. OF Henry and JET
FERsoS, and MASON, speak, but with reverence,
admiration and love-a were 6rst in different char
acters.
HENRY, whose burning eloquence stirred up the
zssl and indignation of his countrymen against the
authority of an oppressive Government-JEFFERs
whose prudent counsel and vast foresight, made him
the Nestor Of the Patriots OF Revolutionary times
MASON. the accomplished and stern Senator, who
failed in fshuness to his country and her peo-
p- and LEWIS, the great pioneer and captain, in the
conquest Of the vast western domain of Virginia, aud
the tried and confidential friend Of WASHINGTON,
with MARSHALL and NELSON, all cluster on this love.
y structure, around him who u the past has had no
equal, and never will have an equal in all time to
come.
Marshall and NELSON are freshly remembered, as
our good and trusty brothers Many Of Us have seen
the manly form of the fst mingling in our Lodges
marching in our professions, and with the kindness
and softness which ever distinguished him, associa
tin, oau IN IN ma of death.
steadfast adherence to order was as signal as bis
professional and judicial career bad been brilliant
How justly proud should We al be, that our Country
has been prolific in the production OF 80 many and
suoh good and great men, each performing bis seps
rate and distinct part, and all working in perfect har
mouy to accomplish common, great and a good
end. No time 10 the history Of man, has ever given
at once such galaxy of honesty, virtue patriotism
and w.dom, 40 that in which lived the seven, whose
statues ore to adorn this Monument.
But when we shall have completed our work here,
when MARSHALL aud NELsos, MASON and LEWIS,
shal find their places beneath WAsHIseToN, aud with
HENRY and JEFFERSON, and all shall be done, which
human skill can do to perfect this great work OF ART
our hearts yea.n for something more than this II 10
but the st step of duty and of gratitude The ashes
of WAsHINoros repose Inhonored on the banks OF
the Potomac. Misfortune or vice may place them
beyond the reach OF our people, and make them the
profitable property of the unprincipied and avari.
cious. Let no such national disgrace dshonor US
While We gather around this Statue, and lift up our
of our Country, We eba give the best evidence
Of the sincerity of our professions by saving bis
grave and bis remaips from the ruthless possession
and enjoymen. of the avaricious specuiator' or'-
Come, then, and with one heart snd mind and soul,
and an undivided sentiment, and proclaim, now here
on this altar. that the Tomb Of WASHINGTON shall
be saved Nobly have the ladies of Virginia and
the South begun the work. Cheerfully, and mos:
literally have she and her CO aboIers been sustained
by many In the North and Esst and West Gio.i-
ons iv hava nod belnY0G
thers of Virginia, come in with your aid, profered
to scheme, which, here predict, will save Mount
Vernon, az the holy restng place Of WAsHlEoroF,
for generations to come.
rat this point the carriage In which the Southern
Matron had entered the square, was drawn up and
nearer TO the Speaker when, turning towards it, he
proceeded thus:
And most appropriately have We here our lovely
country woman the Southern Matron, whose constant
toll and labor for this great cause, has worn down
her frame and borne her almost to the grave. In
this work Of love and patriotism rely, my brethren,
on your own strong will and resources. Weary not
in struggling for i's accomplishment. Legislators
may doubt and debate and bestate, your step will be
onward, onward. Alabama comes up promptly and
generously endorse aud aid you We all are OF one
mind, and determined In npurpose to pause not until
Mount Vernon is saved.
| congratulate you all, on the commencement of
this holy work. il 10 alike becoming In you, and due
to the memary Of the Father Of bis Country aud
good Mason.
Another gun followed the address, aud then be.
nedic,ion by the Rev. Bro. Adam Eupe.
The following proceedings eusued'
ODE
All hail TO tho morning
That bids uB rejoice,
The Statues completed
rbs Exs. ,S.is higA E ,s s;HS sai,sss sstS':
Our labor II DER;
Tho sound on our Gavel
Shall hail Us no moro.
To the Power Almighty! who over has guided
The Sons Of Columbia, exaltng their fame;
To Him who hath governed our hearts undivided.
Lots send forth voices TO prai,e His great nans
Companions assemble
On this joyous day,
Tho occasion Il GLORIOUS,
The Keystone to lay.
ourWori 10 the signsl,
Through all future days,
For tongues to re-echo
Our WAsHsoToss praise.
CEREMONIES.
There ls no moro oeoadon for Level or Plumb-line.
For Trowsl or asyel, for Compass or Square;
Our Work y completed, the Statue Il seated,
Now those who are worthy,
Our tolls who have shared,
And proved themselves faithful
Shall meet their reward.
Their vrrue and knowledge,
Industry and skill,
Have our appreciation,
Have gained our good will
Wa .ce.p. and pronounce them Most Excellent Msstera
Invested with honora, and power 70 preside,
Among worthy Craftmen, wherever assembled,
Tho knowledge of Masons TO spread far and wide
Almighty Jehovah
Descend now and fill
This NATION with Glory
Our hearts With good will
Preside At our meetings,
Assist u to find
True pleasure in teaching
Good will to Mankind.
Thy Htsdoa inspired oul srea. Institution,
my &rssSA shall support 1t dill nature expire
And when the Creation shall fall Into ruin,