Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-03-04
Washington's Birthday

In the Vest Virginia Senate, on the Goth
ulitimo. Mr.. Summers offered the following
Resotoed. That the Senate invite the House
of Delegates to assemble in the Senate cham
Der on Saturday. at $50 o'clock 2. NJ, for
the purpose of hearing Washington farewell
address, and that D. d. johnson, President
of the Senate be requested to read she same.
Mr.. Sherrard remarked that be though, this
custom had grown out of dase, and that he
should like to hear the opinion of the Senate
upon the subject its discoutinus,ioa. stating
that its reading was of no practical u.e or
benefit to the State or Legislators Whatever
Mr.. Camdep-When this very interesting
snhject was proposed by the Senator from
Kanawha, had no idea of taking the floor
for the expression of my sentiments and feel
inss upon it. my state Of health being such
that would scarcely be just fable iu so doing
But when hear an objection raised unou
this floor, to the observance of custom
which is designed to refresh the memory of
the Father of his Country. in the hearts of
his conference.-the people Of the great
Union that was created by the sagacty and
bravery of he whose farewell address it is
proposed to read before the Legislature of
this State, my impaired health avails nothing.
| cannot sit in my seat and hear a voice that
be forgotten. that his farewell address shall
cease to be read in public bodies of the press
ent day. wthous raising ma voice against the
innovation upon the loved and time honored
practice which is thus sought to be cast aside
Let us. MIR. President. then throw off for
moment the business that may come up for
our consideration on Saturday next, and &C.
cept the advice and counsel given us by this
great man in his last and hest message Let
us on every anniversary of that day try to adj
just ourselves on questions of public matters
in accordance with the doctrines and nrinci>
pies laid down in the memorable document
feel satisfied that the Senator from Hardy
(Mr. Sherrard) shout not persist in his dis
position to apparently disrespect it. The
farewell address of Washington is always
fresh to neon every anniversary Of his
birth that comes around, and I regard it's
teachings and precepts only inferior to those
of inspired writings
I ask foregivn"ss. Mr.. President. of the
Senator from Hardy. for nv thus attempting
to criticise the character of his remarks upon
the resolution now before the Senate but |
earnestly hope that this body will not hesitate
for moment to adop, the resolution without
dissenting voice In the light of nv de-
votion to the high and noble character and
the many virtues of G"oge Washington. the
memory OF other renowned men of the past
dwind'es down to nothinsness; and can hu.
repeat my most ardent hone that the resolution
will be adopted without further opposition,
th"t we may pay due respect to the many
virtues OF him who was first in peace first in
war and first in the hearts of his countrymen
Mr. Sherrard arose and stated that he did
not rise when this resolution was offered by
In Sapo krer Al
of objectins t. it directly, hut merely to bring
out the feelings and sentiments of other mem
her. upon the floor in relation to it.
Mr.. CUSTOM profoundly regret that there
has been a single utterauce upon this fnnr. in
opposition to tie resolution of the Senate from
kanawha (Mr. Summers and sincerity hope
that the Senator from Hardy (Mr. Sherrard)
will reconsider his step and withdraw his OBJ
lection. that it may not go ont to the people
OF this State, and the people of the whole
country that there was even one dissenting
voice from the continuation of the cherished
custom which is now proposed in this body.
Sir, wish to hear on Saturday next, which.
| believe is the one hundred and forty second
anniversary Of the birth Of WASHINGTON, the
address Of the great Father of the Republic,
read in the Legislature of this State
Particularly do regret the objection which
has just been made. coming MS It does from
the Senator from Hardy for the first iuspira>
ton that my patriotism ever received was
from 'h" reading Of the address of Washine-
ton nv his honorable uncle. MANY wears since.
Let the resolution he unanimously passed
that the record may make showing III will
be no reflection upon this hodv In listening
to this address we can all stand uron the same
platform, both Democrats and Republicans,
and in the forge'fuIness of our latcr>dav diff.
ferences and prcjndces blend our feelings
with the harmony that won she great victories
Of liberty under the leadership of the illus.
trious Washington, that established the indie.
pen6ence and station Of our loved country.
After several additional remarks by several
other Senators, the resolution was adopted
MIR. Sherrard voting against it,