The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-08-11
Gen. Washington's Resignation of
his Commission.

This has Justly been regarded as the sublim-
est act in the annals of America, and as it
took place upon Maryland soil, within the
confines of the capital, at Annapolis, it is
doubly dear to every loyal son of Maryland.
Congress had assembled at Annapolis; the
Legislature gave up the Senate Chamber for
its accommodation, and Gov. Paca surren-
dered the governors mansion to its president.
Gen. Washington had already notified the
several States of his intention to resign his
commission as commander in-chief of the
army and to retire to private life. He hasten
ed to Annapolis, where he arrived on the 18th
of December, 1888. He was met few miles
from the city, by Generals Gates and Small
wood, with the most distinguished citizens of
Maryland, and was greeted with great enthu-
siasm by the people Every one We'd in doing
him honor. At the hour Of twelve O. clock on
the 23d of December, the gallery and great
part of the floor of the hall of congress, were
filled with ladies, public functionaries of the
State, and with general officers. The mem
bers of congress were seated and covered; the
gentlemen present were standing and uncov-
cred. After decorous silence of few min
utes, Washington arose and in a dignihed and
impressive manner, delivered short address.
When he had concluded he placed into the
hands of the President that great commission.
under which he had achieved the liberty and
independence of America, recommending the
interests of our dearest country to the protec-
ton of Almighty God, and those who have
the superintendent of them to His holy keep
ing" The editor of the Maryland Gazette,
who was present, said: "Few tragedies ever
drew so many tears from so many eyes as the
moving manner in which his Excellency took
his final leave of Congress-" Then calmly,
as if he had not just resigned the highest place
in his country's gift, that great man retired
from that hall which had thus been consecra-
ted forever by this noble scene.
An act of greater moral sublimity was per-
haps never recorded by the pen of the histor
ian. Marylanders especially should cherish
the memory of it through all time. The last
Legislature undertook to provide for suita-
bic celebration of the hundredth anniversary
of it at the capital of the State, and in the
Senate Chamber where the ever-memOrable
event took place, A joint committee of both
houses was appointed to take the matter into
consideration, and under the supervision Of
the Governor to make suitable arrangements
for celebrating the event in becoming man
ner. An appropriation of twenty thousand
dollars was suggested as necessary to defray
the expenses. The Governors ofall the States
were to be invited, and the President and
Cabinet. An Grafton, a banquet and grand
ball at night were in the program, but the
committee could not agree as to the appro-
priation. A portion of it opposed the appro-
pration and thought that the event ought to
be celebrated in the most imposing manner,
but that the expenses ought to be borne by
the citizens, or those who participated in the
festivities This also was the Governors no
ton, and so the proposed celebration, by the
Legislature, at least, fell through. But the
anniversary ought not to be permitted to pass
by unobserved. The citizens of Annapolis,
of Baltimore, and of the State at large, ought
to unite, and with the military organizations
and civic societies, celebrate the centennial
of this great moral spectacle in a manner
commensurate with its historic Importance.