The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1862-02-22
THE NEW YORK SUN.
SATURDAY MORNING, FEB 22, 1862.
PROCLAMA ZION.
MAT0G's OrFICE, CITY HALL,(
NeS York, Fec. 2l, A. ID 1861. I

late glorious achievements Of our national arms,
l would request from the citizens OF New York, a
specially earnest Snd patriotic observance OF the
22nd inst the ljOth anniversary Of the birthday
Of Washington, by ageneral suspension OF bus!-
neas, and By c-rdIal participation ia the csle
braton Of tue day, as well under the published
programme 0! the con mittees o, the lmmon Couu-
Gil AZ By such other modes OF distinguishing this
particular anniversary may bs appropriate W
national holiday. GEoRGE oPDYKR, Mayor.
the Day-And Its Associations.
The impious attempt Of the leaders of the
rebellion TO insugura.e on the anniyorsary Of
the birthday Of WASHINGTON, a new govern.
ment on the ruins Of that which he 80 nobly
aided in founding, will not DO an unmitiga,ed
evil, If II recalls to MS more clearly the pria-
ciples for which our fathers fought, 'and nerves
us with courage to maintain that which they
thought no rae ifce too great to achieve.
For the rebels the choice OF a day, sacred to
history, and associated with the sweetest memo-
ries and the brightest hopes Of humanity, TO
consummato deed which must be forever exo-
Grated by all good men, is indeed 81 aniiicant
The act Is confession Of parricide. They
would strike through dismembered nation at
tho venerable figure Of the Father Of his Coun-
try, and prostitute his name To thor unholy
ends. They have themselves provoked the
comparison between JEFFEasoS DAVIS and
GEORGE WASHINGTON, and the world will not
fail TO recognize tho difference.
The Farewell Address of WASHINGTON is
peculiarly tignidcant al the present time. With
clear prophetic uttsrance, he ioretold the ca
lamities that awaited Us whom we should depart
from the principles Of the Constitution, which
he 30 earnestly urged that we should maintain.
Imbued with deep political insight, he iniulged
in no hope that his countrymen could preserve
the liberty they had achieved until the Consti-
tuition was formed, and then he deemed its
preservation the sole pledge Of their individual
and national welfare. Respecting this thors
can DO no mistake. "Tne unity o. Govern.
ment, ;" he tells us, which constitutes you one
people, is main pillar in the edif,e of youi
real Independence the support Of your tran
guilty a, home your peace abroad Of YOU
safety oil your prosperity; Of that very liberty
which you 30 highly prize"
1.-THE unity Of Government which constitute
us one people, is precisely the Issue now DO
fore American citizens. The sectional agtators
against whom WASHINGTON lifted up his warn
ing voice, have tried TO raise side questions 70
the furtherance of their nsiarious designs, bu
the President and the people ignore their at
tempts, AID will crush their opposition.
Henctforth tho anniversary Of WAsHING
ToH's Birthday hitherto only partially oh
served, will become indissolubly linked will
the anniversary Of the Declaration Of NationA
Independence. 1t will, like it, mark the dawr
of a brighter day. We know not how long tbs
darkness may continue, but happily we ar,
not left without promise Of morning.
Today, the reading Of the solemn words o
WAsHuoroS, by millions Ofpsopls will awak
on their Indignation and dsspsn their horror
at the mon. both In the North and South, VIII
havs lAborsd to destroy what their father,