The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-01
EDWARD EVERETT IN VIRGINIA.

Upon receiving the of Washington, which
was presented to him at Richmond, Mr.. Everett
thus returned his Acknowledgements:
S'SR: | want words adequately to express the
emotions of satisfaction and gratitude with which
receive this most interesting personal relic of the
Father OF his COuntry'-inyaluable in itself, and
rendered ii possible. still more precious, by the cir
cumstances under which it comes into my possession
shall keep it while live a sacred trust, and so
dispose Of it best to promote the patriotic ntn-
tons with which 1t has been bestowed upon me. |
acknowledge myself under the highest obligations
the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association. who have
honored me with this most expressive token Of their
approval of my humble cooperation in the great
cause to which. with such fcrvid energy and noble
enthusiasm, they are devoting themselves: and |
pray you, Sir, to accept my grateful acknowledge
ments for the very obliging manner in which YOU
have been pleased to express yourself in performing
the Office kindly undertaken by YOU, this deeply
interesting occasion.
feel. Sir, that. in reference to honor so dis
tinguished, peculiar, there would be a degree of
arrogance, even in disclaming any title to it II
reward OF merit. Such a thought is almost too alb
surd to be disavoWed Nothing bat the most dis
tinguished service to the country, in crisis Of
imminent peril. can furnish adequate foundation
for such a pretension.
But may claim, without presumption, to have
been trained from my cradle. to thereverence of the
great and honorcd name of which You now enrich
me with this most desirable personal memorial.
was born within sight of Dorchester Heights where
lie achieved one Of the most brilliant and important
successes of the war. was reared in community
filled with recent personal recOecti0ns of him, cher
ished by those who all but idoized his character
am old enough to remember the shock. which struck
the very heart of the land at the tidings that he
was gone. Nv first little defamation at school was
the familiar elegy, beginning
From Vernon's mount behold the hero rise,
Respondent forms attend him 10 the skies "
[ remember, but as Yesterday, the emotion of my
father, as he placed round my neck, with its black
rib bn al urbir by ba
children throughout the country, bearing the
likeness of Washington, with the inscription . He is
in glory-the world is in tears, and the eulOgypro
nounced by that honored parent, on the ensuing 22d
February, at the request of his fellowcitizeng of
Dorchester the first public discourse, of secu-
lar character, to which ever listened.
Had it been forctOd to me that after lapse Of
ffty-eight years, filed with inconsiderabe share
of the labOrs and the cares of life should live to
see a dav like ths-that should have the privilege,
in many of the States and cities Of the Union,
pronounce eulOgy on that illusrious name, before
crowded and favoring audiences, and to devote the
pecuniarv proceeds of its delivery, to the noble OBJ
ject of placing the home and tomb of W AsHINGToN
under the egis Of the public protection that as the
rich reward of this service, should here, in the
capital of his native Virginia. here in the presence
of ilustrious cheftains who have borne the flag of
the country with honor, from the frozen North to
the tropics; of the Chief Magistrates of Virginia and
other sister States: and OF statesmen who have
filled and filling the highest places in the public
councils OF the ladies who have clothed themselves
with the honor of originating the noble enterprise
which appeals powerfully to the patriotic senti-
ment of the country: and of this vast and sympa-
thiZing audience, truly | should have deemed ii a
vision too bright, too wild, to be realized; or, if
realized, an ample recompense for whatever of toll
or of grief might intervene. But it is no romantic
vision. have lived to see this proud and happy
day; | have been permitted, by Providence, to
aze what the most extravagant anticipation could
not have foreseen; | have pronounced the eulogy,
of which you expect the repetition to-day, seventy
-. ~. l. IL i
and am willing to do it seven hundred and seventy
times If it is the pleasure of fellow citizens
hear it, for the same noble object
For these efforts, and the labor and time required
by them. | claim merit; have asked, expected
no reward-least of all such a reward as | receive
this day, Sir at your hands. 1t has truly been,
you have been pleased to say, labor Of love. |
have felt that was engaged in pure and honora-
bic work, tending directly to noble end, and not
unproductive perhaps of incidental good. Com
PEELED by iess, a few years ago, to resign a very
honorable post in the public service, and feeling
temptation, since the partial restoration of my
health, to return to the thOrny and thankess path
of public life weary of its abors and cares, and
than satisfied with the trusts and honors which
the partially OF my fellow-citizens has bestowed
me, at home and abroad | find in these inOffensve
pursuits into which have been drawn, cOnsecrated
to patriotism and benevOlence, more cOngenial
occupation for my waning years, happy if can. in
this way do anything to promote this most merito-
riOus object of the Ladies' Mount Vernon Associa-
ton soften the asperity of sectional feeling, by
holding up to the admiration of all parts of the
country, that great cxemplar which all alike re-
spect and love- or relieve, by appeals to the sympa
thies of the benevolent the wants of our suffering
fellow men-too happy it, among the last utteran-
ces of a voice, which in the of nature will
to be heard the praises of him who stands
first in the affections of the country shall be the
most prominent theme, as a PRAYER for the welfare
OF every portion OF that country will be breathed
with the last pulsations of my heart.
But feel, Sir, that ought not to prolong my
marks. You are impatient to listen to the distn-
guished and eloquent gentleman who is associated
with me in the honprs of this day and am sensible
that shall need all the time assigned to me in the
days proceedings. for the delivery of the discourse
which you expect fem me before we part.
AT the banquet, in the evening, the following
toast was announced:
"IrssachuseHs and Firginia-The revolutionary
ties that unite them still live in the hearts of our
people"
Hon. Edward Everett rose in response to a call
from all parts of the hail. and upon rising,
ceived with long and continued applause. Order
being restored, he spoke as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: | esteem it a
great privilege and honor to speak behalf of
Massachusetts, on this most interesting occason-of
Massachusetts, the eldest of the sister States of Vr-
ginia in this great family of republics She knew
and loved your peerless son at early day. While
the lilies OF France toated over the bastions of
Quebec; while the red cross of St. George waved |
from Maine to Georgia; while the bloom of youth
was on his own cheek, he visited Boston, then the /
residence of the Commander in Chief of the royal
orces.
When the great appeal was mde to the stern ar
bltrament OF war, and the all-important Question /
arose in the Continental Congress, who should lead
the patriotic arms of America, in the doubtful con
test, Massachusetts,, represented by one whom your
own Jefferson pronounced the COLOSSUS of debate
in the great argument of Independence-one from
whom many OF you afterwards differed in political
opinion but.whom all honored as true warm-heart-
ed say, represented in the
Continental Congress by John Adams, gave her
voice and her influence for the appointment of
Washington. She had her own armies, her own
Generals in the field in with chose of the