National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-07-13


ton, with their wives and daughters, made a trip
| to Mount Vernon to visit the tomb of Washing
| ton. The exercises at the tomb were Of an i'm
| pressive character. About o'clock the steamer
| Arrow, commanded by Captain HOllingshead-
| Captain Frank, as everybody calls him-ieft the
wharf, with its load of delegates. The trip down
the river was very pleasant throughout. with the
exception o. a squall, that struck the buat just
below Fort FOOte. Nothing Was left undone TO
make the passengers comfortable.
The boat arrived at Mount Vernon a little after
O'Clock. A line was formed, and the party, pre-
ceGed by the band, moved up this hill to the tomb.
Here dirge was played, and the line then pro-
ceeded TO the mansion. After all had had an
opportunity 10 view objects OF interest about the
place they were assembled on the pOrticO. ii-ro
Lewis Abrahams, esq, addressed them as fol-
lows;
REMARKS OF Mr. LEWIS ABRAHAMs.
The time the place and the occasion, alike pro-
pitious invite us to pause at the Mecca Of Ameri-
can liberty, and TO draw inspiration from tne
hallOwed memories The history of the nations
FIRST century will soon have passed down the vista
oil time, and be seen but as shining light 10 IL
illuminate coming generations, In the cisy "hete
the independence Of this favored lana was
ushered into Life, when master minds, with mar
yelOus wisdom, crystaliZed the grand ideas that
gave new nation Of liberty to the families OF the
earth Solemn and glorious pageant marks on
tie tablets of time the clause OF cycle OF tree-
dom and progress. Science lends its aid in glee-
ful salutati0n. Art adds its harmonies. The
mystic current in subtle sparks whisper cOngratu
lafions through trembling cables Inc crafts,
man of the earth, with ponderous engines AM
agile looms offer up their testimony; Inc .niner
wrests from the earths womb his tribute, and the
furnace opens its burning jaws. all aglow with
enthusiasm and fashions into trophies.
The farmer weaves the golden grain. From
the chemists laboratory, from the merchants
storehOuse, from wOman's ingenuity and skill,
monuments rise on monuments atIestng CRATE
full peoples sympathy and worlds applause.
These are the symbols the evidences and the Of
ferings of a nations material prosperity. Natu-
rally too the thoughtful mind reflects upon the
triumphs attending the practical enforcement OF
those great theories that so far as possible for hu
man acts to direct, have shaped the destinies Of
our common country, and with reverence almost
akin to awe We approach this spot, IN 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, hrst in the hearts of his
Here near his final earthly resting place, then,
is it fitting that the nation celebrating its first
century should be greeted by the descendants OF
the people of nifty centuries history. Here then
with the lessons of fifty centuries; here then with
traditions that are the study and the wonder of
civilization; here in a land where the great code
of Sinai binds people in bands of love and JUS
tce we Join our fellOw-c citizens Of all denomina-
tons in rejoicing in the jubilee of the Republic,
and in earnestly hoping that its future may be
glorious and prosperous; its people happy, hon
Ored and Writ uOuS; its laws humane and Just. and
that its public servants that may be chosen may
be wise, prudent and faithful to the duties en-.
trusted TO them by their sOvereigns. the Ameri-
can people. God bless them. tCheers
He concluded by reading several letters pub
fished in 1880 in the United States Gazette, from
Hebrew congregations and organizations, con-
graduating GCn. Washington.
MIR. AhrahamS was followed by Rev. NJ. Lilien-
thai, of Cincinnati who offered prayer, first max
ing few remarks as follows:
DE-. LILIENTHAL. i
Brethren. II is old Hebrew custom to wish
The graves Of ilustriuus dead, there revive the
scnlIments of love and gratitude we owe to their
memory, to take courage in the battle OF life from
the n"b!e example they have set to US, and to
promise ON the sacred spot where they rest "
continue the good work they have begun. For
this purpose We have come here to pay hnmage to
the memory of him who was great Eecause he was
good, and who MAS good because lie was great.
We repeat with the Bible, the memory of the
good anu Just is a blessing f"revermOre. Though
the dust returns 10 the uust whence it came, the
spirit returns 10 God no gave il, there to receive
the IeWard 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 he lven."
Yes, the angel Of immortality greets US here, |
and, pointing to heaven, aumOnishes us here to /
repeat the Hebrew prayer which 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 haryests. |
(Here the Hebrew prayer recited.) And |
while thus in prayer and gratitude honor the |
memory Of him who here sleeps in his gr: let |
us not forget the sayings of our old teachers
We need not erect costly monuments to the
memory Of the great and good. Their actions are 1
their pTUudest monuments and any one VINO
will honor him not with mere Idle ceremonies
shall try to walk in the path OF virtue and |
righteousness they have lined out for US. Coming
NJ TO this wise admonitOn, let us promise here on
this sacred SPOT that will live and work for the
free country he and his immortal cOmpeers have
created Tor US, and, in order that our intentions
may be rewarded with success, let US implore the
divine q. sistance and paternal Bile Ssng of him
who heg reth on high as the ruler and father Of
all nations. Yes, all-merciful God, we approach
the throne Of the untathOmed majesty, and pray
vOuch, ale thy blessing unto these United States, |
our beloved home and fatherand. So far thy
mercy has been with u.s. thy grace has not forsaken
l- fOFgEprmOFP
Grant in thy power and wisdom that our Union
may he a union not only established by compact
ana law, but that it may be union of brotherly
love- of hands and he arts and sentiments, indeed.
Grant in thy might and love that civil liberty in
main the inalienabie treasure in the diadem of
our land. and that we all may follow out the
noble sentiment, that has become a national
creed wit h malice to none, with charity for all,
with Justice as God understands il. We will see |
justice aud righteousness administered to all
classes of our fellow citizens. Grant in thy good
ness that religious liberty may flourish and
prosper as heretofore; that federation be vindi-
Gated, not only by the power and majesty
of the law, but that il be tine natural result OF |
mutual goodwill, of that brotherly love and of |
that true religious sentiment which glOries in the
common tatherland of God and the common
OF men. Bless him, the Chief Magis-
trate of our land, his cOunseOrs and the members
Of Congress. Give them thy spirit, that they ali
in their proper sphere may cooperate for the
good of all; that justice and liberty and peace |
may forever be the supreme ruler of the land; |
that tLey may be the Wort by successors OF those |
VINO win tnelr DlOOu ana treasure purchased Tor |
US the birtLr,ght ot our freedom and indepen- |
dence.
On thee we rely; in thy might and goodness we
trust. Thou wilt watch over this land of promise,
hat year after year may add to its glory and pros
perity: that centennial following centennial will |
display and exhibit new hIryests Of blessings and
progress; and unto thee, Heavenly Father of all |
thy human children, We ascribe glory and honor !
iorevermOre. Amen.
v hen the reverend gentleman concluded he
made the announcement that MIR. Lazarus Silver |
man, OF Chicago, had made gift of three acres |
Of land in Chicago to the union for the proposed
ladies seminary.
PLANTING A TREE.
Aft er the ceremonies at the house, the party
proceeded again to the tomb, and performed the
ceremony of paintings young tree near the tomb.
DR.. Wise made a few eloquent remarks on the Oc- |
caSiUn, and was followed by MIR. Simon Wolf and |
Mr.. NlOritz 10th. The boat then again
bearded. and the party came home, reaching the
city about !:3O O'Clock in the evening.
At the Presidents House.
During the noon recess the delegates proceeded
In body to the Executive Mansion to pay their
respects to President Grant. They were pre-
sented to the President by Mr.. Simon Wolf, who
spoke OF the assembly as one working in the in |
terests of education. No reference 10 sect was
made.