Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-03-07

7
rated by them. in order to revive an old
established custom. and because it was
right and due to the memory of Wash
ington. The movement gathered strength
and increased in volume, until its spirit
pervaded all classes of our citizens Tho
emblem of our nationality at
home, honored and feared abroad-Aoats
proudly to the breeze from almost every
house-top, or is gracefully festooned over
| balconies and windows where eyes bright
err and voices softer than Mahomet
ever dreamed of in his promises made to
the "war-worn soldier of the Crescent, p"
greeted and cheered the gay cavalier as
he dashed along the line of march. Ev-
cry branch Of our manufacturing and
commercial interests have been repre-
scented in letter and in spirit, from the
brawny and muscular arms at the anvil
to the weather-beaten countenance of the
sailor, who reefs his canvas midst the
music of the storm.
To-day, then, is the anniversary Of
him who was to be the pioneer of a mighty
principle to the world, of whose blessings
we are not only the Interiors but of
whose purity it was intended we should
be the custodians.
A mighty truth was struggling forth
in the necessities of the times, and though
dimly seen, no power could stay its full
development or measure the immensely
of its destined influence on the world.
The result was ultimate, not seen; but
when it broke upon Christendom the his
torian traced it back and saw in the swell
ling tide OF events the gathering power
with which the political ocean heaved. -
Progressive development is universal
law
Princes and lords may flourish or mny fade,
A breath can make them, rs a breath hath
made.'
Nations, kingdoms, institutions and
thrones sink into the past. and their
crumblng arches and blackened walls
are all that is left of their former gran
deur and greatness, but the great move
mcnt of humanity is onward the expe-
rience and reflection of one generation
enlarge the one of each that follows; and
great truths, once felt, pass down from
mind to mind, gathering energy and pow
err, widening their influence and extend
ing their dominion.
Upon this continent it was intended
that the great principle Of human rights
should mature. Here no gorgeous pa
geantry, no escutcheoned chivalry mani
tested the physical power which was to
! Sucf a IN tbn ,ioorooO and mo nIotac If Einore
and princes here political dogmas could
appeal to no hallowod customs or hon
ored observanccs here the mind Of him
who had fled from civil wrong or relig-
ious fanaticsm, was not to be oppressed
by any ancient memorials Of idolatry
but all that met the eye or sounded on
the ear was nature in her majesty and
freedom. The deep and unbroken soli-
tude of the vast virgin forests, the roar
of waters, the endless chain of noun
tains, towering in their grandeur and
beauty, spoke only of God and Truth,
and the human mind, as it expanded
midst such mighty and gorgeous scenes
gave birth to eternal principles amid her
monuments.
He who, under the guidance of Prov
idence. helped to make us a nation, lived
to see her ripening into glory and power,
and passed away leaving that sacred in
junction, that sacred legacy which you
have heard read in your hearing to-day
and which for more than threc-foultbs Of
a century, in every national danger in
every national peril, its serene and state
y wisdom has foated down to us the pa
rental counscls of the Farewell Address,
u fitting close TO a life of unfaltering de-
votion to duty and country's cause. -
Immortal hero how shall we as a peo-
pie, be graceful for the blessings we en-
joy? 4
Here Mr. X. gave a vivid aud graphic
picture of ancient republics, and con-
cluded as follows:
Such, the fate Of the Ancient Ropub-
lies, beacon lights along the path Of life,
ever reminding us where persisted thesd
Republics with their literature and phi
Iosophy Let us pray God that their
classic beauty and wisdom have been re-
vived with the Intelligence and patriot
ism Of our people, and that our young
Republic may ever hear over her affairs
the music Of those harps which once gave
forth the melody of its anthems in the
temples Of Ionia and Rome.
Every year finds our country increas-
ing in wealth and power, extending her
claims and deepening the foundations Of
her institutions. She has just come forth
from the most perilous condition, it is to
be hoped invigorated and chastened.-
The pillows Of party contention are fall
ing into calmness, and we can indulge
the hope that sectional animosites may
be soothed by the harmony of compro-
mise. The fields of our late civil strife,
where the red baptism Of death told too
plainly that the conflict had been deadly
and bitter, have again, thank God, been
converted into waving fields, flowers are
twining over the graves Of the brave
dead, forts are slowly crumbling into de-
cay. the arms Of the nation have been
stacked, and the battle-fags of regiments
have been folded away amid the "curi-
osities Of the nation"
"The blue aud the gray, they sleep to-day,
Meath many a trampled sod
Side by side, just where they died,
They wait the trump Of God.
Their ears are dull 20 conflicts lull,
Or battles widest fray
Whilst others weep they calmly sleep,
Those brave meu-the blue and gray
The curtain Of the nineteenth century