The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-10-23

pious pilgrimage, the generations of this
and future days, can repair hither to note
with reverential interests the simple habi 8
Of the founders of the great republic. The
and its conservation and conservation as
which Will faithfully be fulfilled.
1t is also subject of congratulation
that the congress Of the United States and
the legislature of the state of New York,
have Joined in recognition and qualification
of the wishes of the American people by
apprOpriating funds for the erection upon
these grounds of memorial column. To-
day, in the presence of the president of the
United States of the governors of many
of the states Of representative bodies OF
the volunteer soldiery and militia of the
several states of detachments from the
army and navy of the United States of
this vast concOurse of American citizens.
and beneath the folds of our national en-
sign, its corner stone is laid and soon it
will arise, a conspicuous and attractive
feature, to which the inquiring glance Of
every traveller upon the lines of railway or
the bosom of the majestic river that flows
past its base, will be lifted and so may it
stand forever. pointing heavenward, to per-
petuate the memory Of the courage and de-
votion of the patriotic army whose last
headquarters were upon this spot.
Standing upon this commanding height,
what wealth of historic scenery is spread
before us! The noble river flows in all the
serenity of its beauty and calm strength,
Just as it did nearly three centuries ago,
when the hardy and adventurous Dutch
navigator, whose name it bears, first cast
anchor in the bay that lies below us. A
little later and the flag of Holland yielded
place to that of Great Britain. Another
century passed and the flag of the American
Union of states was raised, and hes now for
more than one hundred years Aoated in
placid serenity above these waters the
symbol Of the controlling and unquestioned
authority of government truly deriving
"its power from the consent of the gov
erned."
Yet, as we cast our eyes down this beau
tiiul channel of the Hudson until they
rest upon West Point, memories arise Of
mingled shame and honor. Then, as now,
humanity exhibited its weakness, as well as
It's strength its selfshness as we'll as its
self sacrifice its baseness as well as its DO
bility. The same place that reminds us of
George Washington, recalls Benedict
Arnold.
The dangers to the cause of American
liberty Mt that early day were from within
as we'll AS from without There were traitors
and REGULATORS and faint and false hearted
time servers; and great was the embar-
rassment and sore the distress they caused,
and the injuries they inflicted upon the
struggling patriots.
1t is to be hoped that one result. of this
and other commem0ratiOns of the historic
events of the revolutionary period may in
duce among our cOun.rymen q more care
full revision and study OF those times and a
realization of the difficulties and dangers
which our forefathers surmouuted in their
toilsome journey to Independents and nat
ural existence. In the words OF Keys i'm
mortal song, let us be
Ever mindful what it COST
If we look for the causes of the success
of the United Colonies of 'tembat'led
farmers" who withstood the mighty arma-
ments of Great Britain, we discern not
alone valor and determination born of q
holy and unconqurable resolve to die as
free men rather than live IS slaves, but
also the rigid enforcement of the simple
and practical virtues, essential to q people
so weak in wealth and resources. The men
who led that struggle were personally rig
idly honest and honorable, and with close
and painful economy they underwent the
severest privatiOns which were essential to
save and TO spare the slender treasury of
their country. Had these unshowy and
simple virtues BEEN replaced by a careless
and lavish prodigality had an easy pleas
ure-loving self indulgence and luxury been
substituted for stern self denial and fru-
gality, how soon would their scanty re-
sources have been exhausted, and the hor-
ror and suffrrings OF poverty and starva-
ton brought TO u fatal close. 81 -... 1
How can the influence of the example
set by Washington and his associates ne
Overrated in giving a tone of unselfish de.
votiou and ci~an-nsnded integrity in pub
lie service? Do you remember his words
To congress in his first address to the
United Ststes?-
when j was first honored with call
into the service of my country, then ON the
ere 81 an arduous stFugg!e for its Liberties,
the light in which 1 Contemplated my
duty required that i sbOult rehounce every
pecuniary compensation. From this reso
luton have in no instance departed, and
being still under the impression which
produced it. / must decline as in insp
plicable to myself any shara in the per-
sOnal emolnments which NAV be indispen.
SADLY included in q permanent provision
for the executive department, and must
pray that the pecuniary esti. I
mates OF the ststi0n I'm which L am
placed may during my continuance in il
he limited TO such actual expenditures as
the public good may he thought 10 re.
quire."
How high and clearly cut against the
-kv of histnrv rises the column If The per. |
sUnsi character OF t;.ess patriot sirts, (
with strict honesty ard cloal-
handed integrity; not one of whom ever |
grew rich in Office or attempted to fatten |
at the public cost, but many of whom be-