Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-07-05

4 ashineton as the leader to cor -.
hem in safety through the peril ana s .,ss.
n. IN ment. He had not received tent gov
,dueation, nor had he any nliht, ..ry eS,e,;arns.
ave in several skiryiis.ies NH tSe
hostile French and IndiS-ns in y. e neisaborhood
unfortunate Bratdock, wb,, disregsr,ling the al
monitor OF IRE young o.dcer marched Needless
" on, suffering his Command 90 be ambuscaded
ara cut TO pieces. Washington on the fall of
fully exricatir G them fros, their perilous posi-
uon, the verJ jaws Of death, and effecting an
orderly apI safe retreat.
Having negotiated treaty of peace with the
frontier Indians, for which the Mother Country
laid him the compliment OF a vote of thanks, he
res,gned his commission and retired to private
NE; Nor was his conduct as a citizen marked
with such distinction as to point to him as suit
able person to assume the weighty responsible
tiles Of the important post.
He was retur-rei to the Congress of I774, and
on the opening OF that body, he was the only
member of die solemn Assembly who, when the
man OF God raised his hands in prayer, assumed
a keeling position. The following Congress
unaimousiy elected him Commander-in- Chief of
the Armies. 1t was certainly the work Of inspi-
ration. as there was nothing in his history, either
military'or civil, that would seem especially 70
qualify him for the exalted command, but
the result of the war clearly demonstrated
that he was the proper person, and that in all
probability any other would have failed,
and hope of freedom would have vanished
III.
calm courage, sound judgment and great
prudence served him in every emergency, and
If he could not on all occasions accomplish what
he desired, be at least managed TO escape with
out suffering any materially damaging injury.
Throughout the war he fought under al circuIn-
stances 10 great disadvantage and with heavy
odds against him. Yet his constant vigilance,
never firing industry, deep thought, and cool
determination, enabledhixn 10 supply by strategy
what he lacked in force, and defeat the wen
arranged plans OF the enemy and carry out his
lxxh
doing SO. Courage was a noble sentiment with
him, virtuous resolution 20 discharge his duty,
and not ferocfous and blood-thirsty passion.
he had no appetite for war and only resorted TO
ii from necessity, as a means To vindicate the
rights OF man and save his country from iestruc-
ton. his ambition was not to crafty vanity OF
promote selfish interest He only desired 70
benefit his country and advance the interest OF
mankind.
Soon after the declaration Of peace he repaired
to Annapolis and surrendered TO Congress his
commission. 1t was q most imposing scene, and
witnessed by an immense crowd. AS he adj
yanced and laid his parchment upon the table,
denly broken by a burst of applause, and the
with tears.
He presided with great dignity over the
Convention that adopted the Constitution, and
was active in assisting to form il, and the ac-
ceptance Of ii by the States was owing in no
small degree TO hisexertions and influence. Such
was the confidence Of the people in him and such
their lore for him, that he was unanimously
elected their first President and the inaugUra.
hon took place IN the city OF New York. He was
reelected with the same unanimty; and having
organized all the various and important branches
OF the Government, and witnessed their success
full workings, he declined a further reelection,
and, on the expiration of his second term, issued
his celebrated Farewell Address to the country,
and retired 70 this his favorite home, where in
less than theee years, he surrendered his great
soul 10 his Maker.
George Washington was in all respects an ex-
empiary man. and Is so regarded by the world.
Travellers from all nations, when in our coun-
Try, make IL point 10 visit this tomb to paw the
just tribute TO unrivalled greatness. Take him
ali in all. he had no peer in this or in any other
age or country, and his like may never be looked
upon again.
In conclusion, L beg leave tofemind Won tina.
we are indebted 70 patriotic ladies and the elo-
quence OF the late Edward Everett, one of Mas
saehusetts most distinguished orators and states
men, for the purchase and maintenance of
Mount Vernon as a national institution, the
American Mecca. to which all devoted liberty
loving pilgrims may resort, and, catching fresh
inspiration at this sacred shrine, their patriot
ism will glow with a brighter hue. and they will
love their country with an intensity of feeling
that wiz make them cneerfully submit TO any
sacrlnce, even the loss OF life, If necessary, in
Its defence Duice ct decorun est pro pdtrid pg0rS
is the motto OF the true patriot, and every life
lost in the service of the country is hallowed in
the recollection of all good citizens. The noble
ladies and the eloquent Everett, to whom we are
indebted for the privilege OF visiting this holy
spot on this glorious day, will live in history
name OF Washington.
The National Monument, that Is partially
erected TO his memory in the city that bears his
name, the metropolis of the country, stands
prominently among the notable objects that at
tracts attention, and reflects anything but credit
upon the American people. The magnificent
obeilsk intended by the design to be the loftiest
in the world, Is not one-third its destined height
and not one stone has been added to il for the lat
fifteen years. Will not the country wake nm to
this great national shame, and with patriotic
m N md
and complete the monument, which will relieve
US Of the disgrace, and perpetuate the memory
OF the glorious dead and the gratitude and pa
triotlsm OF his countrymen
MESSAGE PROM MR.. CoRcoRAN.
Prior to the delivery of his Grafton, DIR. Blake
said he had message from venerated homo
cordial greeting, and regretted exceedingly his
inability TO be present at the celebration. Mr.
Corcoran desired him to say that he thought the
idea OF celebrating the day at the Tomb of
Washington was an especially happy one, and
he commended il with all his heart.
The following poem was impressiveiy read
by y: Seaten 'Donoho, its author, and a men,
Der OF the Association:
Silence, and thought, and prayer
lis holy ground;
sPiTt.sr Of 10y, fame. beauty throns the air,
HaIS fbeir Low Xn;sss n h,,,, rouna
Now gently, grandiy rise and hail her queen Of
America shall hear
On and still on, through every Frightening year,
. Till all the wondering zones
Repeat them as IN Dreams and long to be-
sonlething-they scarcely know-united, happy,
free
The pilgrims from afar
Shall Lither weBd.
A nd stand with us where sank our Western Star
Whose light shall still ascend:
As brothers stand, mid many a summer s bloom,
Praising cur Father God before our Father Tomb
4.
Then slowly from the shade
OF ages Past,
In all then dreams true majesty arrayed,
Assured. resolved, at last,
The nations shall adv aEce, even one by one,
And gem with kfDgly crowns the Tomb of Washing
ton
Mr.. Isaac Sunderland, son of Rev. Dr. Sun
OF this city, and a member of company
A, Of the Light Infantry, was then introduced,
and read in a loud and distinct voice portions of
wAsHIN0TOS's FAREWELL ADDRESS
This concluded the celebration, and the Oldest
Inhabitants then held q meeting, at which reso-
buttons Of thanks were adopted To Capt. Stack
pole, Of the Arrow, for his courtesy and atteu-
ton; To Miss Cunningham, In charge of the
Mount Vernon estate, for the cordial reception
Of the Association; to Capt. Moore and his COM
mand Tor the compliment of All escort; also, for
badges presented to the members of the Associ-
alton by DR.. Butts in behalf of company A; and