Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-03-05
Tho Presidents Speech.

statue of w ashlngton, Whlch look pace
on the odd ult. must have been an inter
e.,inc affair. The celebrated Seventh
REGIMENT of New YORK Volunteers, to-
gethcr with number OF companies
from Marand and Virginia we're pres
eut, and also the U. S. Marines from the
Washington Navy Yard. Amongst the
distinguished persons present were the
President, Vice President, Heads of
Departments, Senators and Representa-
tives. After fervent prayer by Rev.
DR.. Nadal, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, the grafton was delivered ny
Hon. Thomas S. Bocock of Vir-
GINA.
When the Grafton was concluded,
variety of Masonic ceremonies were
performed by way of dedlcatiug the
statue. the Grand Master delivering to
President Buchanan, for the purpose,
the identical Gayel used by General
Washington at the laying of the corner
stenc of the Capitol, Sept. 18th, 1898,
and the Apron worn by the Father OF
his country upon the occasion.
The President received the gavel,
and coming forward was greeted with
general applause. He spoke In a dis
tinct and animated tone, as follows
FELLOW CIrizENs--I accept the aus
picious omen now presented to us In the
calm sunset almost without cloud
The early part Of the day was bolster
Gus. Many accidents also occurred to
delay the progress and the completion
of these ceremonies. But these occur
rences have terminated as, thank God,
always has been the case in the history
of our country. 1T storms and tempests
beset us in the morning, the end OF the
dav is still clear, bright snd animating
Such, trust, will ever be the issue of
the gloom and darkness that for a season
appear to envelope US. Applause. :
The honorable and important duty has
been assigned to me Of dedicating this
statue of Washington, which is noble
production of native American genius.
This welcome and grateful task now
proceed to perform. Standing here on
this beautiful and commanding position,
surrounded by the Senators and repre-
scntatives of all the States of the Con
ID fcderacy, and by vast assemb'age OF
our fellow citizens, civil and military,
and in full view of the noble Potomac,
which Washington loved so well, and OF
the shores of the ancient ComMon-
wealth which gave him birth, l now sol.
emily dedicate this statue to the i'm
mortal memory of the Father Of bis
Country. [Applausc. | perform the
act OF pious devotion, not in the name o.
the people of the North, or the South, the
East or the West not in the name o
f those who dwell on the waters Of the
Atlantic or Of the Pacific, but in thu
name of the American people Of the
United States, one and indivisible, now
and forever. Loud applause and erie.
: of "Hurrah for Old Buck.'l May thu
! God OF our fathers preserve the Consti
tuition and Union for ages yet to come
Nav they stand like the everlasting hills
f against which the tempests from ever,
f quarter of the heavens shall beat in vain
| In word, may they endure SO long a
! the name of Washington shall be hon
S ored aud cherished among the children
of men. Renewed and prolonged ap
n plause May Washington city, whicl
r he founded, continue throughout man
# generations, to be the seat of govern
: lnc,.t Of u great, powerful and uultc'
: confederacy.
Y Should it ever become ruia by
+; dissolution of the Union, it Will no
e like the ruins of Balbcck and Palmyra
: be merely monument OF the vanity 9
!, human greatness but IT will teach th
:, lesson to all the dwellers upon car,
+ that our grand poIit Cal experiment ha
II failed and that man is incapable Of sell
government. iIay such a drcful dis
astcr to the human race be avertcd ,ant
i'm language OF Solomon, al the dedic:
u ton OF the Jewish temple, May III
Lord our God be with us, as he was vii,
o our fathers. Let hun not leave ia, O
n foraako u.s." Applause.
n May this DC the prayer Of all prose-,
+ and may each one return to his home j
!. heart more ardcntIy patriotic and NOR
a determined to do his whole duty to Go
10 and his country than when we Assem-
n blod here to-day.
70 The distinguished speaker took h
.. seat amid general and most enthu.iv,t
J. ap plausc.
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