Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-02-11
Porne WheeHlg IntsIEEcsesF.
PHILIP DODRIDGE:
Sketch of bis Early Life & legislative Career
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% Hecur 70 Ine lOtl0ElnfS esDtutlOlS Sill-LS-
marks upon them by MF. DodHdse, the subject
Of which has lately enlisted the patriotic efforts
Of the ladies Of our country, and ELECTED con
siderable discussion for several years past, as
well among the public as in the halls OF our
General Assembly.
On the 18th Of February, 1882, Mr. Thomas,
of Louisiana, from the Joint Committee Of the
tao Houses appointed to report on the subject
of the centennial anniversary Of the birthday
of George Washington, made report accom-
panied by the following resolutions:
'tRes0irei, by the Senate and House Of Rep
resentatiyes Of the United States Of America in
Congress assembIed-That the President Of the
Senate and Speaker Of the House Of Repreaen-
tatiVes be hereby authorized to make appIlca-
ton to John =. Washington, of Mount Vernon,
for the body of George Washington, to be re-
moved and deposited in the Capitol at Wash
ington City, in conformity with the resolution
Of Congress Of the 24th Of December, 1893, and
that if they obtain the requisite consent 70 the
removal thereof, they be further authorized to
cause it 70 he removed and depoSitedin the Cap
itol on the 22d day of February. 1882.
''ResoZted, That the President Of the Senate
and Speaker Of the House Of Representatives
be also authorized to prescribe the order Of
such ceremonies as they may deem suitable to
the occasion Of the inteTment Of the body of
George Washington in the Capitol on the day
above mentioned, and that the two Houses Of
Congress will attend and assist in the perform
ance Of those ceremonies"
By unanimous consent the resolution was inn
mediateiy taken up and acted upon. The queS-
ton on the resolution being, whether the House
cOncurred Herewith, Mr.. Dodridge arose and
ObserVed-''that the statement repeated by sew
eTa Of his colleagues, that Virginia did not de-
sire the proposed removal, induced him TO say,
that though such assertion might cOmpOrt
with their own observations, they were not en-.
titled to speak for MI Virginia. He for one, de-
sii ed that the resolution might be adopted He
represented one of the largest districts in that
State, and he believed that in this matter he
spoke the opinion of every man in his district
He had been q member Of the House of Dele
gates in Virginia at the period referred TO- /" Qhe
passage Of the resolution by the General AS
semblY of Virginia, requesting permission to
transfer the remains Of Washington, together
with those of bis wife, to Richmond) land had
a perfect recollection of what passed both in
doors and out on that occasion, and Of his own
reasons for. having been in favor Of the resOlu-
ton then moved by his colleague, (Mr. MerceT).
II lad been felt by many members Of the
Virginia Legislature, by himself among the
rest, that many Congresses had passed in inglo-
rious debate, while the pledge once given re-
manned still unredeemed, and he felt entirely
satisfied that the resolution for removing the re-
mains to Richmond. would never have passed
the General Assembly OF Virginia, but for the
loss of all hope that Congress would ever act in
the matter"
He said, che had looked for the refusal Of
Judge Washington, but not that 1t would have
been placed on the ground of particular inter
Preta ion of the will of the deceased. He could
not concur IN such vieT Of IT, but thought
that entertained by Mrs. Washington was more
correct. The article referred to- merely pre-
scribed duty 10 his executors. The testator
could not possibly have foreSeen the resolution
Of 1899, nor the refusal of his relative in 1876
II,
therefore could not put his own call in hostility
10 that of his common country, It would have
been INDIGENOUS to make such request during
his lifetime. 1t could ouly take place after his
death Application was then made to his near
est and dearest surviving relative, and his widow
in complying with the request, supposed that
she yielded but that assent which her huSba nd
would himself have done, could he have acted
IN the case" Mr. D. asked, "if il could be be-
lieved that in reference to so humble request
Washington would have countervaiied the
wishes OF big country. It could not, by any
who knew him. The resolution in the Legisla-
ture of Virginia had been occnsioned as he had
stated, by despair rs to anything being done by
Congress, and partly in a spirit of resentment of
| the neglect which had been suffered. There was
nothing in the argument from the willard as
to the gloomy anticipation that this spot was to
become the frontier Of two hostile countries,
thOse who thought more seriously Of such a
danger than he did, were ut liberty to speculate
for themselves. He should act for the present
time"
This was the last effort to remove the remains
of Washington to the National Metropolis. But
let us hope the "Mount Vernon Ladies' Associa.
ton of the Union" will soon be enabled, by the
liberality of the public, to secure the spot
where they now sleep, as shrine where a ma
tons patriotism and generation may erect a
mecca to the name and memory of this great
and good man.
M. Dodridge warmly advocated and support.
cd Mr.. Clay's bill establishing the Cumberland
road, and used his efforts in efFectng and carry.
ing out its designs. However different may 6e
the views entertained by one Of the great polit-
ical parties of the country in regard to the con.
Institutional right of Congress to make appropria-
tions for objects deemed by them local aud pri.
vate yet still we are bound to give credit to the
sincerity Of those who believe that it is com
lpetent for that body to foster and aid internal
| improvements, and this upon the SAME princi-
| pie that those who think otherwise, are Just as
certainly convinced that their views are the more
correct.
During the session of 1s80-s1 he,was ON the
Committee on the District Of Columbia, and IL
| was as Chairman of that COMMITTEES that he
I codified the criminal laws Of the District which
WAS adopted, and which, with the amendments
since made. is still in existence there. He also