Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-02-22

Co.
WASHINGTON.
Funeral Grafton on the death Of Washington. de.
iiperea before Tie Mem5rs Of Congress and
The Prbiic By Major Geaeri Henry Lee,
Of Virginia., Decmber %, 1893
In obedience to your will rise your humble
organ, with the hope Of executing part of the
system Of public mourning which you have been
pleased to adopt commemorative Of the death
Of the most illustrious aud most beloved per-
sonage this country has ever produced; und
which, while it transmits to posterity your sense
of the awful event, family represents your
knowledge Of tue consummate excellence you
SO cordially honor.
Desperate indeed is amy attempt on earth to
meet correspondingy this lispensatinn of
Heaven for, while with pious resignation we
submit to tho will OF an all-gracious Providence,
We can never cease lamenting, in our finite view
of Omnipoteut WISDOM the heart rcnd;nq prf
walton for which our nation weeps When the
civilized world shakes to its centre when every
moment gives birth to strange and momcntous
changes when our peaceful quarter Of the
globe, exempt as II happily has been from any
share in the slaughter Of the human race may
yet be compelled to abandon her pacific policy
and to risk the doleful casualties OF war; Whit
illnlA 10 AneTt ~ tANfHt ul our loss None
within the reach of my words to express; none
which your feelings will not iisavow.
The founder of our feierate republic
bulwark in war, our guide in peace, is no more
Oh that this were but questionable Hone. the
comforter of the wretched, would pour into our
agoni2ng hearts its balmy dew But. alas
there is no hope for us our Washington is re.
moved for ever Possessing the stoutest frame.
and purest mind. he had passed nearly TO his
sixty-eighth year, in the enjoyment of high
health when, habituated by his care of us to
neglect himself, slight cold, disrcgarlcd, be
came inconveniont on Friday, oppressive ON sat.
urday, and, deiying every medical inierposition.
before the the morning of Sunday put an end
to the best Of men. An end did | say his
fame survives bounded only by the limits of
the earth, and by the extent of the human mind
He survives in our hearts, in the growing know.
ledge of our children, 10 the affections of the
good throughout the world and when our
monuments shall be done away: whom nltions
now existing shall he no more when even our
young and r-spTeadug empire shall have
persisted, still willaur Washington's glory un.
faded shine, aud de not, until love of virtue
cease on earth, or earth itself sinks into chaos
How, my fellow citizens, shall single &c
your grateful hearts his pre- eminent worth
Where shall begin in opening to your Wow a
character throughout sublime Shall sneak
Of his warlike achievements, all springing from
obedignce 10 his oountry's will-all directed II
his country's gOod2
Will you 60 with me to the banks of tho Mo
nongahela, TO see your youthful Washington
supporting, ia the dismal hour OF Indian vic
tory, the ill-ialed Btallock and saving. by nj,
judgment and by his valor, the remains of n de-
feated army, pressed by the cnnqueriug sayag,
foe Or, when oppressed Amerca, molly re-
solving 10 risk her all in defence of her violated
rights he was elevated by the unanimous voic,
| OF Congress tn the command Of her armies
VIII you follow him to the high grounds Of Dos
ton, where TO an uniisciplined, courageous. nnl
ylttuous yeomanry, his presence gave the stu
hilty OF system, and infused the inyineihjlity OF
love Of country; or snail | carry You to iii,
painful scents Of Long Island, York island am
New Jersey, when, combating superior md uni
lant armies, aided by powerful fleets, and led h,
chiefs high III the roll Of fame, he stood, the hui
WarR OF our safety unliHmayed by disnster
unchanged by change of fortune. Or will yor
view him in the prccarious fields Of Trenton
where deep gloom unnerylng every arm, reigne,
triumphant through our thinued. WON down
unaded ranks himself unmoved Droadfu
was the night. II was about this time of win
ter-the storm ragrd-ihe Delaware tulliup
iuriously with floating ice, forbade the approach
OF man. Washington selfcollcctcd, viewed the
tremendous scene-his county called nnappall.
Gu by surrounding dangers, he pas, cd to the
hostile shore he fought he conquered. Tn,
morning sun cheered the American world. ON
country rose on the event; aud her dnuntles,
chief, pursuing his blow, completed in the Mwn.
Of Princeton, what his vast saul had conceived
on the shores Of the Delaware
Thence 10 the strong grounds Of AIorrislown
he led his small hut gallant band and through
AN eventual WINTER, by the high efforts OF hi.
q aius, whose machless force was measurable
at.Itf ltt NItss a..
check formidable hostile leeiOns conducted by
n chief experienced in the art of war, and famed
for his yalor on the ever memorable heights of
Abraham, where fell Wolfe, Montcaln. and
since, our much lamented MontgOmery--all GOV.
cred with glory. 10 this fortunate interval.
produced by his mastery conduct, our fathers'
ourselves, animated by his resistless example,
rallied around our couutry's standard, and con,
iinued to follow her beloved chief through the
various and trying scenes to which the desiinics
Of our Union led.
Who is there that has forgotten the wales of
Brandywine-the fields OF Germantown-or tue
! plains Of Monmouth Everywhere present.
wants Of every kind obstructing, numerous and
valiant armies cuoountering himself host he
assuaged our suiferings, limited our rriya.
tions, and upheld our lettering republic Shall
| display to you the spread of the fire OF his
soul, by rehearsng the praises Of the Hero OF
lnasY Ma onr WASHINGTON gea,s No NV n, oaio,
glory ia Gates-to Grecne he caSo ,n;,h.u,
reserve The annlapsc ue ~ thsir Wa.nGa'
and lonr NAV ibe chiafs NJ sara,n,a u, ni ,
Eutaws, receive the grateiulrespect of a grateful
people.
Moving in his own orbit, he impaired heat
bining Tho rhvsicoi ami ,rai d,iu .v'ii,
bis snhers Win ir,esis,is sei,'l, M ",' Ti'i, ~.
course, commisserating fov Iisin;n,ns Y;ca ~.
maying treason and isygerotins ''Ss, uS
until the anspieious bnur arrival viz, ,,.';