The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-27

foretold American independence. 1t was
New York merchant, president of the Cham
Der of Commerce, who wrote the address of
the Congress to the House of Commons.
They were New York merchants who, as the
Congress adjourned, attested their high de-
sign by forming league and covenant of
non-importation. 1t was to New York
merchant. as mayor of the city, that the
British governor of the province and the
commander of the royal forces surrendered
the hated stamps, and to this spot they were
brought in solemn procession, amid the
shouts of rejoicing citizens.
From the balcony of the hall that stood
here the Declaration of Independence was
first read to the citizens of New York, and,
although the enemy's fleet had entered the
harbor the people, as they listened. tore
down the royal arms from the walls of the
hall and burned them in the street, as their
fiery patriotism was about to consume the
royal power in the province Here sat the
Continental Congress in its closing days.
Here John Jay prepared the instructions Of
John Adams, the first American minister 10
Great Britain. and here the Congress re-
ceived Sir John Temple, the first British con-
sul-general to the United States. Here JEFF
ferson was selected by Congress as minister
to France, and here Secretary jaw, with the
same equable mind and clear comprehension
and unbending integrity that afterwards il
Illustrated the first exercise of the judicial
power OF the Union, directed the foreign af-
fairs of the confederation. Here, also, when
the confederation disappeared, the first Con-
gress OF the Union assembled. Indeed, we
are enveloped by inspiring memories and
kindling local associations Wonder,
almost within sound of my
voice, still stands the ancient
and famous inn where the Commander-in-
chief tenderly parted with his officers, and
there, over the way, where once a modest
mansion stood, the Federalist was chiefly
written. The very air about this hallowed
spot is the air of American patriotism. To
breathe it, charged with such memories is
to be inspired with the loftiest human pur-
pose and the noblest endeavor. By the
most impressive associations, by the most
dignified and important historic events, was
this place dedicated to the ilustrions trans
action which we commemorate to-day.
IMPORT OF THE EVENT.
But the majesty of the event was not its
circumstance, it was its import. A people
whose courage and endurance in the field,
and whose capacity of local self government
had been amply tested, was here to take its
place as a united republic beside the ancient
and powerful monarchies OF Christendom.
1t was to do this amid the scornful distrust
of the world, and involved in domestic jeal-
ousies, and vast and obscure internal perls.
The hope of success lay apparently in one
man, revered and beloved as no other man
had ever been, and upon the successful is
sue of the trust to which he was here
solemnly devoted. What scene in human
history transcends the grandeur and signifi-
canoe of that consecratlon2 Gazing upon
this sculptured form, and remembering that
this was the very hour and this the place of
the sublime event; that here. under the be-
nignant arch of heaven, Washington ap-
peared to take the oath of his great office
the air is hushed, even the Joyous tumult of
this glad day is stilled, the familiar scene
fades from before gu: eyes, and our awed
hearts whisper within us: Put off thy
shoes from off thy feet, for the place on
which thou standest is holy ground
THE Streets the windows, the roofs were
thronged with people, and, drowning my
feeble voice, surely you can hear the vast
and prolonged shout that salIted the nero.
Touched to the heart by the afectionate
greeting, he advanced to the railing, and,
placing his hand upon his breast, he bowed
low, and for a moment, overwhelmed by
emotion he stepped back amid a sudden
and solemn silence, Then he arose, and
coming forward, his majestic and COM
manding frame stood upon the ident-
zeal stone upon which | stand at
this moment, and which, fixed fast here
of all men, an mperishable memorial of the
scene. Near Washington stood John Adams,
Alexander Hamilton. Roeer Sherman. Chan
cellor Livingston, General Knox, General
Sinclair, Baron Steuben and other famous
men. The Chancellor, in his robes, solemnly
recited the words of the oath, The Secretary
of the Senate raised the Bible, Washington
bent low, and audibly saying, L swear, so
help me Godl' reverenLly kissed the book.
1t is done, cried the Chancellor. Long
live George Washington, President of the
United Statesi' Long live George Wash
ingtonp shouted the people in one resound-
ing cry of exultation. Long live George
Washington rang all the bells and roared
all the cannon of continent Long live
George Washington echoed every heart
and voice in the world that pleaded and beat
for liberty. Almost a hundred years have
passed, but more reverently. more univers-
ally. more gratefully now than ever in all
civilized lands in which the greatness OF his
example has exalted the estimate of human
character and the standard of human con-
duct, every people fervently prolongs the
prayer Long live George Washington
GREAT UNDERTAKING.
1.-THE task upon which he entered here was
infinitely greater than that which he under
took when, fourteen years before, he drew
bis sword under the elm at Cambridge as
eommander-in-ehief of the Continental
army. TO lead a people in revolution wisely
and successfully, without ambition and with
out crime, demands, indeed, lofty genius
and unbending virtue. But to build their
state-amid the angry conflict of passion
and prejudice, and unreasonable apprehen-
sion, the incredulity of many and the grave
doubt of ALTO organize for them and
peacefully to inaugurate a complete and
satisfactory government-is the greatest
service that a man can render to mankind
But this, also, is the glory of Washington.
The power of his personal character,
his penetrating foresight, and the wis
dom of his Judgment in composing the
myriad elements that threatened to over
whelm the mighty undertaking, are all I'M
paralIeled. Nothing but harmony, honesty,
industry and frugality,' he said to Lafay-