The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-03-04

| W w oohAiSboh. UoDSlrr SurpaSSeu MIN IN
oratory and legal knowledge; Hamilton was
a greater military hero Bacon a profounder
philosopher. In the minor matters Of life,
there have been more successful farmers,
more ostentatisus philanthropists, and more
finished scholars. But, in that happy and
perfect blending of all that is most excellent,
useful and good, in just proportions, SO tkat
no power overawes and weakens another; SO
that the man moves upon constant plane of
high virtue and use, and is competent for
all the requirements of his time, without ever
misleading them, neither Napoleon, nor Ba-
con, nor any other who has lived, stands by
his side.
The fact, however, which uuderlies the
popular veneration for the man is his patriot
ism. He is the type and exponent of that
lofty virtue, not to us only, bat to the world.
He was the Pater Patrie in the paternity of
every good thing-its defender from whatever
is bad or injurious. He sought the consoli-
dation and unity Of the States, and in his
Farewell Address" has charged upon us all
that we should defend that unity ag ainst any
and every opposition. Therein we have the
encouragement of his great wisdom and ex-
tended love of the republic in our present at
tempts to defeat the arrogance of crime and
the rebellion of a section. From his recorded
example, and, even more largely from his
recorded words, we are taught that our spirit
over broader territory and more magnif-
cent domain than he even imagined, the ca
giles of the republic fly unopposed, and the
stars and stripes wave without opposition
As in the earlier days every good influence
and right direction proceeded from his gui-
Dance so now, when villains and traitors,
solicitous of slavery and selfshness, seek the
Unions destruction to their own aggrandize-
ment, we have his words of counsel and cheer
for our aid and sustenance.
Let the day be always kept as it is now to
be-a day of joy and celebration, attended by
every evidence of national regard and accom-
panied by every attendant Of popular enthu-
siasm. Let the great lesson of his life and
labors, of his teachings and prGcepts, be So
widely spread and so deeply ingrained that
hereafter ne hatreds, no jealousies, no private
ambitious, no sectional interests, shall be-
-aamnatents to move from that direction
which points to happier maturity than was
gained by Rome-a more powerful age than
is enjeJed by England.
John Adams prophesied, through the
mouth of Webster, that the day ofthe nation
al birth would be celebrated through coming
ages by bonires, procession and general re-
ioicing. 1t is deserving of that much, But
the natal day of Washington should have no
smaller commemoration from his deservings
and the lesson of his life. Let it be seen
that forever and always, as the years revelve
and the centuries grow, whatever increase
Of power may come to the republic, whatever
growth of greatness may gild its arms or its
industries the teachings bequeated by Wash
ington are reysred, and his example held |
high above every excitement, and the emula-
ton to copy that example will bc magnifed,
while the attractions of Arnold and Davis
viii be lessened even among the basest and
most designing.
This day will be kept from bounds which
Washington knew not of to those then un-
known from Maine to California, from Florida
% the Oregon. 1t will be kept with sincere
'egard for his memery, and with determi-
lation to preserve that memory through all
generations. The next anniversary will be
ve trust, with people enfranchised, re.
Inited and potent. That it may be so, let US
.eep it here and now, with an enthusiasm
ttesting both present and future; with a
ervor which shall fire the soldiers of the
Jnion and weaken its enemies with an ear
that shall witness to the world that
% circumstances of war, no troubles, no vi
issitudes of conflict, no personal, political
r national burdens, can wean us from the
oble teachings of the fathers, nor make us
Valk less resolutely in the pathway prescrib-
d by them, which leads to power, to strength
nationality, to union, to wealth and to
,lory.-N american.