Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-02-27
gaeal aud gersuual.
The Birthday OF George W ashing-

Ton line tWenly-SecOnu OF feDfuary having
been made legal holiday, and falling this
year upon Sunday, Congress, as further
mark Of respect, passed resolution making
the twentythird of this month a holiday,
thus atiording to all who may have desired
an opportunity to take part in the demon
STATIONS usually attending upon so memoir
able day in our history.
Our citizens allowed the day to pass over
without any public demonstration. That
this omission is to be attributed to any want
of patriotism on the part of our people, we
are not altogether willing to acknowledge,
but can ascribe it only to the general apathy
that appears to reign over everything around
and about US. This, however, We regret,
for no excuse appears admissible for neg
Letting the celebration OF this day, which
ought to be held dear to every American
heart Feeling thus, we are unwilling to
take part in this apparent general want of
appreciation, but desire to pay our humble
tribute to the occasion in the way of pass
ing notice
The twenty-second of February is the
birthday of George Washington, the soldier,
statesman, patriot, and Father Of his Coun-
try, and should, therefore, upon its annual
return receive from us u profound and sacred
reverence.
Associated, as it is, by the hallowed recol-
lections of its being the birthday of that
good and pure man who under the guidance
OF kind Providence, was mainly instru-
mental in securing the great Magma Charta
of our liberties; his memory and the prac-
tice OF his virtues should be our political
iaith--recall the history Of his life, and ami
mate us with a desire that our lives should
be like his.
The name of Washington is associated
with that period of history when a mighty
truth struggled 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. Time had prepared the way
for its coming, and strengthened its power
by developing its justice. England had
washed out divine right in the blood of
Charles, and pronounced against Legitimacy,
when ameliorating the expulsion OF james
by declaring it an abdication, she offered
the vacant throne to the Prince of Orange.
She had indicated popular right and con-
stitutional sovereignty in the donation of
her crown and the guarantees she demanded
from her king-she had invoked the obliga-
ton of Magma Charter to protect her people
from encroachments, and re-enacted its pro-
visions TO restrain the usurpations of prerog-
atve. She had manifested the power in the
people as a power in the nation, claiming
the protecting principles Of her constitution
as sacred from the ruthless dcpredations OF
the Lords Gn0i0ted. She had stricken a
blow at irresponsible sovereignty, which
was to resound through ages until its echoes
should be caught up among the mountains
of America and Numbered back against her
This great truth was 10 60 forth to shape
the history of the world and raising society
to a full participation in its government
bless the futurity Of mankind in the estab-
lshment OF personal freedom. "The cnor-
nous faith of many made for one" was to
be arraigned by philosophy, detied by arms,
and driven before that juster creed. which
rests upon individual equality, and holds
life, liberty and the pursuit Of happiness
inaIienable rights" The difficulties which
hung around and about the practical devel-
opement Of this great truth, were many and
enormous, but the sword Of the planter
CLEANED as Il meteor in the battle and the
thought of the artizan lit up the pathway OF
the statesman. The principle of its exist
ence was at war with thrones and diadems
and Legitimacy, though trembling in antici-
patton Of danger in the future, bowed ac-
acknowledgement for security TO the present.
Though more than II century has passed
since the establishment and Inauguration OF
this mighty truth in our system OF govern
mcnt, in every national danger and political
peril It's spirit in almost audible tones, has
sounded upon us in wisdom, warning and
love. We~havo come forth from the most
perious period Of our existence invigoratcd
we have felt the fury of the storm and its
ltklluI CONFUSION HAS slldktH tillO uillpl
what it would have disjoned The spirit
of our people has been tried and its faith has
confirmed confidence in her principles. In
our darkest hours n solemn message seems
TO have come to us from the graves of oui
hallowed founders-keep JtttiM NTH tie deao
preserve the government given, for the
future Of your race and the future of human
ity-and the people, rebuking the agita
lions of dangerous questions, have made the
sacred principle Of faith to the Union theil
common creed.
We all have u right to rejoice that we live
10 welcome this day in the possession Of
such happiness as Providence has never
heretofore youchsaled to mortas. The pres
ent is full and gushing with joy, the future
radiant with the bright visions Of hope that
beckOn us ON as a nation TO the front ranl
of Gods people A little over one hundred
years ago, for the first time in mans history
the gospel of mans political regeneration
was promulgated in the city Of Philadelphia
in the proud and powerful keystone" o
the confederated arch Of the Union. Nc
nobler faculty adorns our nature than tina
which connects our thoughts, our sympa
thics, and indeed our happiness, with tn
past, either in place or time. We look bach
and hold sweet communion with thos,
staiwart pioneers, whose strong arms felled
the prmeyal forests and scattered the frs
seeds Of civilization and christianity, which
have produced rich harycsts 10 them an,
their descendants.
These men have passed away, but tn
great and good live beyond the grave in tn
light Of their genius and the glory of il
achievements, and guide the generation tina
walks above their dust.
- go
Destructive Fire.-On Thursday o
last week, in the afternoon, the old building
known "a Whites tavern, situated on th,