The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-07-14

ISRAELITISlt OPINION OF The fAIhtf
OF HIS COUNTRY-A TREE PLANTED BY
THE GRAVE OF WASHINGTON.
The delegates to the Council OF Hebrew
Congregations, in session at Washington,
with their ladies, ut O'Clock Wednesday
afternoon, proceeded to Serenth-Street
wharf, where they embarked on the steamer
Arrow, Captain Frank Hollingshead. The
steamer was profusely decorated with flags.
At 5 o'clock the vessel, amid the stirring
strains OF brass band, left her mooringS
and proceeded to Mount Vernon. On reach
ing the wharf the delegates formed in line
and proceeded to the tomb OF Washington,
where Mr.. Lewis Abraham made the fol-
lowing remarks:
REMARKS OF Mr.. ABRAHAM.
The time, the place, and the occasion alike
propitiouSly invite Us to pause at the Mecca
of American liberty and to draw nspira-
ton from hallowed memories. The history
OF the nations first century will soon nave
passed down the vista OF time and be seen
but as a shining light to illuminate coming
generations. In the city where the inde-
pcndence Of this favored land was ushered
into life, where master minds with marvel
lous wisdom crystallized the grand ideas
that gave new nation OF liberty to the ia
miles OF the earth, solemn and glorious
pageant marks on the tablets OF time the
close Of cycle of freedom and progress.
Science lends its aid in gleeful salutatlon;
art adds its harmonies. The mystic current
in subtle sparks whispers congratulations
throughout the trembling cables. The
craftsmen of the earth, with ponderous en-
gines and agile looms, offer up their testl-
nhn
earth's womb his tribute, and the furnace
opens its burning jaws all aglow with en-
thusiasm and fashions into trophies. The
farmer waves the golden grain. From the
chemists laboratory, from the merchants
storehouse, from woman's ingenuity and
skill, monuments rise on monuments attest
ing grateful peoples sympathy and 4
worlds applause. These are the symbols
the evidences, and the offerings of q nations
material prosperity. Naturally, too, the
thoughtful mind reflects upon the triumphs
attending the practical enforcement OF those
great theories that, so far rs possible for
human acts to direct, have shaped the desti-
nies of our common country, and with
reverence almost akin to awe we approach
this spot sin every land, in every cline
adored." We think of him who in
| time OF war was first in asSuaging
his country's throes, Of him who in
time of peace WAS first in sympathy with its
prosperity, and who always was and always
will be first in the hearts of his countrymen.
Here, near his final earthly resting-placc,
then, is it fitting that the nation celebrating
its first century should be greeted by the
descendants of people OF fifty centuries
| history. Here, then, with the lessons OF
| fifty centuries; here, then, with traditions
that are the study and the wonder OF civil
| ization; here, in land where the great
code OF Sinai binds people in bonds OF
love and justice, we join our felloW-cltlZcns
of all denominations in rejoicing in the lu-
bilee Of the republic, and in earnestly
hoping that its future may be glorious and
prosperous; its people happy, honored, ana
virtuous: its laws humane and just; and
that the public servants that may be chosen
may be wise, prudent, and faithful to the
duties entrusted to them by their soverciSns,
the American people. God bless them.
At the conclusion Of his remarks Mr.
| Abraham read several letters from the
| United States Gazette, published in New
York and Philadelphia in 1890, from the
| Israclites OF Savannah, Charleston, New
| York, Newport, and Philadelphia, address
ed to General Washington, congratulatlng
him on being elected first President OF the
United States, and the replies OF Washing
ton. These Interesting relics OF history
were very interesting, and were quite ap-
propriate to the occasion.
PRAYER OF DIR. LILIENTHAL.
Rev. Mr.. Lilienthal next offered the fol-
lowing prayer:
Brethren, it is an old Hebrew custom to
visit the graves of illustrious dead, there to
revive the sentiments Of love and gratitude
we owe to their memory, to take courage in
the battle Of life from the noble example
they have set to us, and to promise on the
sacred spot where they rest to continue the
good work they have begun. For this pur-
pose we have come here to pay homage to
the memory OF him who was great because
he was good, and who was good because he
was great. We repeat with the Bible, the
memory Of the good and just is blessing
forevermore. Though the dust returns to
the dust whence it came, the spirit returns
to God who gave it, there to receive the re-
ward for life devoted to the best interests
OF the whole human race. OF him who
sleepeth here, says the prophet, "those who
enlighten and instruct their felloW-men, by
deed and by word, shall shine forever like
the lustre OF heaven"
Yes, the angel OF immortality greets us
here, and, pointing to heaven, admonishes
in our temples and synagogues we recite
when reminded of the dear and good ones
who have gone before us, but left us legacy
Of future blessing and harvests. Here the
Hebrew prayer was recited.l And while
thus in prayer and gratitude we honor the
memory of him who sleeps in his grave let
us not forget the sayings Of our cid teach
ers. We need not erect costly monuments
to the memory OF the great and good. Their
actions are their proudest monuments, and
any one who will honor him not with mere
idle ceremonies shall try to walk on in the
path OF virtue and righteousness they have
lined out for us. Coming up to this wise adj j
monition, let us promise here on this sacred
spot that we will live and work for the free
country he and his immortal compeers have
created for us, and in order that our inten-
tions may be rewarded with success let Us
implore the divine assistance and paternal
blessing OF Him who heareth on high as the
T,t}pr and father ~ all nations Yes, all. >