National Republican., 1876-02-23
oldest Innabltants' Association.

As has been their custom for years past, the
members Of the Oldest Inhabitants Association
met In the Criminal Court room, at the CITY Hail,
ana observed the anniversary Of Washington
birthday.
Among those in attendance were,Dr }. b. Blake
president; Mr.. n. CaIIan acting as secretary; Mr..
clarke, J. H. Knot, H. n. Easily, :. Mast, S.
Stetinus, VIM. Boron, J. W. NARROW, J. q. Bruf,
q. Bradley, ]. A ennedy, E. Simms, Captain
BestOr, NJ. Nash, H. y. Zsveley, Captain J. H.
Goddard, George Mattingly. W. II. PrentIss,
John u. CLARK, p. ODonoghue, John Purdy, E
Wheeler, P.,Crowley, y. Millikeu, L. q. Ecklof
CLARK Mills and VIM. Lord. DIR. Blake called
the meeting 10 order, stating that it was not
mortal and immortal Father Of his country.
Mr.. HOratio n. Easby was introduced, and made
the following introductory remarks on the char,
acter of Washington before reading the lIrewell
address:
REMARKS oF Mr.. EAsBY.
Mr.. President: One hundred and forty .fou r
years have passed down the tide Of tims'' since
George Washington frst saw the light: his whole
life from the time he was appointed to an i'm
pOrtant mission at the early age Of twenty one
yesrs, by the Colonial government Of Virginia. to
the hour Of his death is a brilliant Illustration
Of the nobility and power OF virtue.
His wisdom and patriotism, sustained by an
implicit reliance on the goodness and mercy OF
iOd, the palladium Of the moral grandeur OF his
character was the guiding star to that noble
band Of men who rescued our country from for
eign dominion, and made it free and independ-
Successive generators, not only in his own
country, but in every CLINE and nation of the
earth, have with one voice, in contemplating the
grand and sublime patriotism of the man, be-
slowed upon him the imperishable title Of
Rather OF his Country" and oy which his name
more"
Solicitude Tor the faithful Interpretation and
lerpetuity Of the great charter Of our liberties,
our priceless Inheritance from the founders OF the
Republic, the FEDERAL Constitution, tlIed his
patriotic heart and when chosen the hrst Presi-
AZ n m .Ernfa g
he entered upon the untried experiment Of a Gov
ernment based alone upon the virtue and Intelli-
Hence OF the governed, iull of faith in the AL
mighty that 'he who made would preserve us A
nation;" and after eight years of labor which
only love Cor his country could command, he
handed to her the perfected work of his wisdom
his patience and faith: free Government to q
free people, and retired from publ; life with
hOnors such a. no Otter man has atSained-the
love and veneratlon Of the civilized world.
Mindful Of the perils 10 which our institutions
would be exposed, the Father of his Country did
not consider his whole duty performed without
pointing cut the dangers and advising his chill
dren how to avert them. His address TO his iel-
loW-citizeDs on that occasion is as applicable to
our time as II was to the early days OF the Re
public, and will be always ad with the veners-
tiOn due to the exalted man from whose heart 1t
emanated, and If his admonltlons are religl0usly
observed, the influence Of the glorious principles
OF tree government which we enjoy to-day will,
ere the dawn Of our second Centennial cover the
nations of the earth with the blessings of civil
and religious liberty, and the great problem Of
the ability Of man to govern himself will have
Deen SolNeQ anlTIDallNeiy lurOuRnou[ the world.
The prophetic soul Of George Washington tore
shadewGd this result Of the successful esta bish-
mert Of our G0Ternmsnt, based upon the virtue
and intelligence of the people. In his farewell
address, near the close Of his administration in
I7R, and which may be read on this, the one hun
dred and forty-fourth anniversary Of his birth,
and repeated on every succeeding recurrence OF
tnat day, with beneficial results TO every man
who will listen TO its sublime teachings. Its
study will strengthen the PATRIOTISM OF our coun.
T,rtue in the hearts OF our rulers, and will cause
syery citizen Of the United States native and
Government inaugurated By the Father of HIS
AZ tie conclusion Of his remarks he real the