Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-22


To day, all over the nation. will be commemo-
rated the virtues and patriotism OF the Father OF
His Country His deeds have become history
ard GKoReE WssHINeroS i regarded by almost
universal acclaim rs one of the purest and
~isest Of men who have occupied the position o.
a nations leader His 6rmne-s. self-reIisnce and
unsel6sh devotion TO the cause. secured the tri-
umph Of the rebellion Of the American Colonies
against British usurptions and tyranny, and
their Independence IL he had filled he would
have become rebel and an outcast. but success
gave him not only a nations gratitude. but
loftv position on the roll Of fame. The contest
vaged for seven long years amid privations
and difficulties which seemed insurmountable.
bu, nj. self sacrificing zeal in the cause Of LID
erty srd Independence triumphed over every Oh
stacie. AMI the birth Of new nation having ia
foundations in the capacity Of man FOR -eli gov
eminent was the result Of his laboTs l. il not
most fitting that the virtues of such man
should be held up as worthy Of imitation
and his purity of character and sef-de
mails as models for those at the presen.
time who are ntrusied with public affairs And
the lessons OF wisdom which he inculcated would
be safe guide 70 all in the present crisis Of the
country. He helped to frame the Constitution
which men who now influence and control the
destinies Of the country pronounced covenant
nant with death and league with hell" He
Isbored TO establish the Union of States in which
african slavery WAS an acknowledged institu
ton in all but oue-an Union that the men who
nov rule the nation say cannot exist part slave
and free notwithstanding it prospered and pro-
grsssed in an unparalleled degree for more than
three quarters Of century WAsHINGroN was q
Statesman. soldier, patriot and Christian
First IN war. first in peace and first in the hearts
OF his countrymen.' yet he did not regard it in
consistent with his duty to God, 10 his country
and to mankind to occupy the relation of master
to African slaves And yet thousands will unite
in commemoratng his virtues and patriotism to
day who pronounce African slavery the sum OF
all villainies The memory of the Father of his
Country cannot be very deeply enshrined in such
hearts.
Let those, however, who willing to accept
the character and life, and teachings of ASKING
guide for all who sincerely desire To maintain the
American Government, American institutions and
the American Union. become imbued with his
spirit and that liberation, wisdom and purity
which characterized both his private and public
life. and then NAV hope that both peace and
union will once more bless the land
In this connection and as most eminenty
worthy Of consideration to-day, append an
extract from " AsHISGroS's Farewell Address to
his countrymen. They are sentiments peculiarly
applicable to the times:
II j. important likewise that the habits of
thinking in free country should inspire caution
ia those ntrusted with its administration. to con
fine themselves within their respective constitu-
tional spheres. avoiding in the exercise of the
powers of department to encroach upon an.
other. The spirit of encroachment tends &c
consolidate the powers of all the departments ir
one. and thus create. whatever the form of gov
eminent. a real despotism. a Just estimate oil
the love of power and OF proneness To abuse il
which predominates in the human heart, is sufi
Gent TO satisfy us of the truth OF this position
The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise
of political power. by dividing and distributing
II into different repositories and constituting
each the Guardian of the Public Veal against
invasion by the others, has been eviuced by ex
perments ancient and modern; some of them in
our own country and under our eyes. To
preserve them must he as necessary to institute
them IL, in the opinion of the people. the dis
trihution or modification of the constitutional
powers be in any particular wrong, let IL be cor
rected bv an amendment IN the way which the
Constitution designates. Bat LEI there be no
change By usurpaton; for. though this. in one in
stance, may be the instrument Of good Il is the
customary ,reapoa by rrhieh free Governments ar,
destroyed The precedent must always greatly
overbalance in permanent evil any partial OF
transient benefit which the at any time
yield