Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-11-27

Livingston, of John Lamb, and Isaac
Sears, and Gouverneur Morris. ms If
moved with equal step by its sister
cities IN the field, cherishes the historic
sites OF its own patriotic activity with
the same reverence that IL salutes those
of its peers.
Here, in 1875, the trial of John Zen
ger, one of the most famous and sig.
niiicant causes in the colonial annals
established the freedom of the Ameri,
can press, and declared the cardina-
principle OF its Liberty, that the nubli.
ca,ion of the truth is not libel Fron,
the assembly OF New York. sitting
IN TINS place in 1904, proceeded the
protest against the stampact, and here
the committees OF correspondence were
appointed, which combined and or
canned colonial action. In this an
cient nall assembled the stamp act
congress, the first congress of the
united colonies, whose clear and un.
compromising voice announced the
American purpose, and foretold Ameri.
can independence. 1t was New
YORK merchant, president of the cham
Der OF commerce, who wrote the ad-
dress OF the congress to the house of
commons. They Were New York
merchants who, as the congress nd
journed, attested their high design by
forming Il league and covenant of nom
importation. 1t was to New York
merchant, ms mayor of the city, that
the British governor Of the province
end the commander of the royal for
ces surrendered their 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 indie
pendence was first read 10 the citizens
of New York, and, although the enc
my's fleet had entered the harbor, the
people, as they listened, tore down the
royal arms from the wall OF the hall
aud burned them In the street, us 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 instruc-
tions of John Adams, the
first American minister TO Great Brit
ain, and here the congress received Sir
John Temple, the first British consul
general to the United Stales. Here
Jefferson was selected by congress as
minister to France, and here Secretary
Jay, with the same equitable mind
and clear, comprehensive and unbend-
ing integrity that afterwards illus
trated the first exercise of the judicial
power of the union, directed the for
eign affairs of the confederation. Here,
also, when the confederation disap-
peared, the first congress of the Union
assembled. Indeed, we are enveloped
by inspiring memories and kindling
associations. Wonder, almost within
sound of my voice, still stands the an
cient and still famous inn where the
commandments tcnderly parted
with his officers, and there, over the
way, where once "A modest mansion
stood the Federalist was chiefly writ
ten. The very air about this hallowed
spot is the air of American patriotism.
70 breathe it, charged with such
memories, is to be inspired
with the loftiest human purpose
and the noblest eudeavOr. BY the
mos impressive associations, by the
most diguitied and important historic
events, was this place dedicated to the
illustrious transaction which we COM
memoraie to-day.
But the majesty OF the event was
not its circumstance, il was its import,
A people whose courage and endur-
ance in the field, and whose capacity
of local selt-governnlent, had been
amply tested, was here to take it,
place as united republic besides the
ancient and powerful nonarchies OF
Christendom. 1t was to do this amid
- Il 4 ;at = Of fi,., xrnpII and
involved in domestic iealousies, and
vast aud obscure internal perils. The
hone of success lay apparently in one
man, revered ana beloved AS no other
man had ever been, aud upon the sue
cessful issue Of the trust to which he
was here solemnly devoted. What
scene in human history transcends the
grandeur and Significance OF that
conservation Gazing upon this
sculptured form and remem-
boring that this was the very
hour and this the place of the sublime
event; that here. under the benignant
arch OF heaven, Washington appeared
TO take the oath of his great ollice-the
air is hushed, even the joy us tumult
of this glad day il stillcd, she familiar
scene fades from before our eyes, ana
our awed hearts whisper within us
put oil thy shoes from of thy feet,
for the place on which thou standest Is
holy ground"
The streets, the windows, the roofs,
were ihronged with people. and,
drowning my feeble voice, surely, you
can hear the vast and prolonged shout
that saluted the hero. Touched to the
heart by the afiectionate greeting, he
advanced to the railing, and placing
his hand upon his breast he bowel
low. and for moment, overwhelmed
Inv emotion. me stepped back amid n
Sudden aud solemn silence. Then he
arose. and coming forward, his msjes-
tic and commanding frame stood upon
the identical stone upon when l
sand mt this moment, and which,
6xed fast here beneath the statue
will rsmiin in the eyes OF all men
IN in,perishable memorial OF the
s acene Near Washington stood
John Adams, Alexander Hhmii-
tnn Roger Sherman, Chancellor
f,ivinpston, General Knox, General
Sinclair. Baron Steuben, ana 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 aud,bly saying, 81 swear, SO he,p