The Morgantown monitor. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1863-1864, 1863-03-21
SPEECH OF
RICHARD 0'G0RMAN, Esq,
DELIVERED BEFORE THE
Democratic Central Club:
OF PHILADELPHIA.

OF PHILADELPHIA.
There is legend among the dwellecs by the
Rhine that on one night in each year, when th'
moon is at the full, the great Emperor Charlie:
leaves his tomb, and, clad in his royal purple
with crown Oh his head and Sccptrc in his hand
stately and ma jeStic as in life walks the eartf
again and reyiSts the scenes be loved. When
the moonheams fall on the noble river and fling
from bank to bank bridge of light, across that
bridge the monarch walks, and from the hill De-
yond, with outstretched arm, scatters benedic-
tons over all the German land.
lie blcsscS cornfeld and vineyard hamlet and
castle, city and ford he blesses the focks and
the herds; he blesses the sleeping people, and
then. his loving mission ended, he returns, softly
as he came, to his resting place in La Chappele.
Who knows whether such things may not he p
would rather trust the instincts and traditions
Of the people than the wiScS theories Of philoso-
piers. If love cain indeed exist on earth, SO
pure, lofty and unselhSh that not even death
can sever its bonds if communion may he be-
tween the living and the mighty dead, then chide
it not to wild superstition Bear with 1t at
least us harmless fancy, and forgive the cnthu-
sASt, if such there he, who dreams that on this,
the anniversary of the day when the great tonn-
der of the North American republic first saw
the light, his spirit too, may bc permitted to re-
visit the glmpses Of the moon; 10 retrace IN
loving pilgrimage the scenes Of his ancient re-
nown; TO breathe into the hearts OF those to
whom his memory is dear some Of the patriotism
which fired his own heart, and to bless again
with his benign presence all the boun,eous lnnd,
in whose service every thought, hope and effort
of his noble life were spent. Loud cheers. y
Along the road have Travelled to-day, through
the gallant little State That stretches between
this city and my home, lie battle-ticldS of that
cheerlesS but persistent struggle, in which his
stcadtaSt soul, staggering under the weight OF
his own cares, yet bore up the tanting heart Of
the American people-Monmouth, Princeton,
Trenton the Delaware blocked with ice; the
dreary huts at MOrristown and Valley Forge, in
which, amid the SHOWS and famine of winter,
courage and hope seemed almost TO freeze anu
die over all the scenes OF his trials and his pcriS
still rests TO the glory of his great name. Ap-
plauSe
But it is here, think, more than in any other
place here in this good city OF Philadelphia,
where the spirit Of the chcitain would linger
with the most tender remembrance. Here 1t was
he saw the great work of his life Completed
Here, in your State House, sat that convention
of delegates from the original States, who were
charged with the solemn duty Of determining as
crcign Statas could become united.
Over this great assembly George Washington
presided.
They succeeded. BY their wisdom and mod
Grafton, and discretion they attained their OBJ
ject.
After four months Of earnest delibcration and
toll was completed that great charter OF Amerl-
can freedom-thIt noble compromise Of conflict
ing prciudicts jealouscs and thcories-that just
and rational bond Of Union, by which alone
these sovereign states, differing in climate, pro-
ductions, interests, habits and traditions, could
then have been united in one confederation,
could since then have been kept united, or cau
now he re-united ii such bc Gods will. mean
the Constitution of the United States Loud
and long continued applause.
By arms the States had won their indepen-
dcnce from foreign rule. BY ymutual concession
and rational compromise they achieved higher
triumph over themselves.
Bv means of that concession and compromise
they became united into the confederation which
we call the U,dted Hates;;' ind though ruin
may be drawn down on this conicderacy ere yet
the generation that stood by its cradle shall MI
have passed away; though that great charter bc
reut BY ianaticiSm, trampcd on and violated by
frenzy; though the people, nlSlcd by the FOLLY,
rcckle$Sness aud SeliShncSS of faction, may with
their own hands cast down and shattcr into
mean and valucleSs fragments the great diamond
which their torctathcrs hcqucathed 10 them, and
fondly hoped they would guard it as their own
souls until agc after age had gazed on its luster
with increasing pride; yet still the memory OF
that wise aSScmbly-ot the men who composed
it-of the men who presided over their counSels
Of the work they achieved, and the gallant era
from which they sprung, will be dear to every
heart and in every home all over the earth,
where still fingers the blessed faith that in spite
of failures defeats, and diSappointmcnts, ration
al liberty is yet within the reach Of rational men
Cheers.
Washington wlS steadfast, loyal, valiant, mo-
dcratc. wise, and good.
There appear i'll history many characters bril-
liant and dazzling. | know of no more sterling,
weI-balanccd and complete.
He was indeed the right man in the right place
The true representative and embodiment OF the
best qualities of his people and his age. For
am far from thinking that the prominent men OF
any country or time are the producers of its
greatness or tho cruise otits decay.
They are not creators but creatures. \ heroic
age will seek heroism, and by sure instinct
find it and cherish it and set it at It's head. y
prudent ace will find prudent men. An honest
age will find honest men for its guides. An age
of hckeneSS, rcckleSsneSS, lerlty, sheihshnesS,
and corruption will set in its high places men
after its own image and likcneSs-reck!eSS, self
iSh and corrupt-use them and cast them aside,
first elevate and fatter, and then deSpise, insult
and destroy. This is the undertaking law OF
historv-king or kaiser, doge or president-aS
the people are, so Will the ruler be, for good or
i'll. When, therefore YOU honor Washington as
the chief of the armies of the States: as head OF
that convention ty whose wisdom they were
united in one confederation rs President OF the
States so united, and pronounce him to have
been in each capacity brave, faithful, chlvalrouS,
wise, aud good an honor to the people and age
in which he lived, for of their character he was
the highest type and exemplar. Continued
| cheers. On the 18th Of March, 1874, only sixty
nine years ago, his career of forty-fve years OF
public life was brought to close: on that day,
| in your State House. his successor in the office o
President was inaugurated. General Washing
ton assisted at th> ceremonies, and when they
were done leaning on the arm of James Wilson,
valued citizen of Pennsylvania. and then Judge
of the Supreme Court, he walked to his dwelling
He was Silent and wrapped in thought all th'
way; at least, when he turned around at his own
| door. be became for the first time aware that hi:
steps had been followed by a rererent and silent
crowd who stood there uncovered to pay thell
! last obeisance TO the man they had trusted anG
|