Daily Republican., 1884-02-20
wAsMINGTON's BIRTHDAY.
What was Pound In ~ Old p apes
In Reference to the COuntry'A
Father.

Father.
William H. Taylor, who resides a
No. 852 Poplar street, kss In his pos
session well l-preserved copy Of tb
Ulster County Gazette, publishe,
at Kingston, New York, b,
Samuel Freer & Son. The paper i
dated Saturday, January 4, 1900, ant
contains sixteen short columns, printed
in old English. The most noticeabl,
feature Of the paper is the interio
heavily draped in mourning by turn
ing the column rules, and running {
deep black border around the entir,
page as mark of respect for the deatf
of George Washington, the father O.
American Independence, his death hav
ing occurred on the 14th Of December
1884 short time previous to the issuing
of the paper, which was no doubt pub
lished monthly.
The contents of the paper consist of a
batch of foreign news, proceedings OF
Congress and the action of that body on
the death Of the noble and beloved Gene
raj and Statesman, together with letters
from John Adams, the President, to the
Senate and House, in reference 10 the
same. An account of the funeral obse-
luies Is also given in brief, and other
interesting topics relating thereto.
As the anniversary of Washington 4
birth occurs on Friday, the 22d Of FeE-
ruary, which Is legal holiday, a few
points Cleaned from the above men
toned paper, in reference to the life and
death of the illustrious Statesman,
will no doubt be read with consider
able interest at this time.
As soon as the death Of Washington
was announced, both Houses of Con-
gress proceeded to take suitable action
on the same. Resolutionswere adopted
by the House and several speeches
made, after which message was sent
to the President which was immediate.
ly replied to. In addition to the action
Of the House the Senate sent the follow
iug message to President Adams
" The Senate of the United States re-
spectfully take leave, sir, to express to
you their deep regret for the loss their
country has sustained in the death of
General George Washington. This
event, 80 distressing to all our fellow
citizens, must be peculiarly heavy to
you, who have long been associated
with him in deeds Of patriotism. Per-
init us, sir, to mingle our tears with
yours-on this occasion 1t ismanly to
weep. To lose such d ai&n at such n
crisis, In no common calamity to the
world our country mOarns her father.
TheAlmighty Dtsposer Of human events
has taken from us our greatest bene-
factor and ornament. 1t becomes us. to
submit with reverence to him, who
maketh darkness his Pavilion"
With patriotic pride, we review the
life of our Washington, and compare
him with those of other countries who
dave been pre- eminent in fame. Ancient
and modern flames are diminished be-
fore hun. Greatness and guilt have too
often been allied, but his fame is whittier
than it is brilliant. The destroyers OF
nations stood abashsd at the maesty
of his virtue. 1t reproved the temper
ance oftheir ambition, and darkened the
splendor of victory The scenes closed,
and we are no longer anxious lest mis-.
fortunate should sully his glory he has
travelled on to the end of his journey, and
of honor he has deposited it safely,
where misfortune cannot tarnish itwhere
malice cannot blast it, Favored of
Heaven, he departed without exhibit.
ing the weakness Of humanity mag
unanimous in death, the darkness of the
grave could not obscure his brightness.
Such was the man whom we deplore.
Thanks to Col his glory Is cOnsumma-
ted. Washington yet lives on earth in
his spotless example-his spirit is in
Heaven.
Let his countrymen cOnsecrate the
memory of the heroic General, the pa
triotic Statesman, and the virtuous
Sage let them teach their children
never to forget that the fruits of his
labors, and his example are their in
heritance.
PRESIDENTS ANS WEIR.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE. l re-
ceive with the most respectful and af.
fectionate sentiments in this impressive
address, the obliging expressions of
your regret, for the loss our country
has sustained in the death of her most
esteemed, beloved and admired citizen.
In the multitude of my thoughts and
recollectiOns, on this melancholy event,
you will permit me only to say, that l
have seen him in the days of adver-
sity, In some of the scenes of his deep
est and most trying perplexities have
also attended him in the highest eleva-
tion and most prosperous felicity with
uniform admiration of his wisdom,
moderation and constancy.
Among all our original associates, in
the memorable League of the Continent
in IVA, which first expressed the sov-
ereign will of Free Nation in America,
he was the only one remaining in the
General Government. Although, with
a constitution more enfeebled than his,
at an age when he thought it necessary
to prepare for retirement, ] feel myself
alone, bereaved of my last brother yet
l derive strong consolation from the
unanimous disposition, which appears
in all ages and classes, to mingle their
sorrows with mine, on this common
calamity to the world.
The life of our Washington can not
suffer by a comparison With those of
other counties, who have been most
celebrated and exalted by fame. The
attributes and decorations of royalty,
could only have served to eclipse the
majesty Of those virtues, which made
him, from being modest citizen, a
more resplendent luminary. Mistor.
fortune, had he lived, could hereafter
have sullieh his glory only with those
minds, who, believing that
" characters and actions are marked
by success alone" rarely deserve to
enjoy it. Malice could never blast his
honor, and envy made him singular
to her universal rule. For
himself he had lived enough, to life and
glory. For his fellow citizens, if their
prayers could have been answered, he
would have been immortal. For me
his departure is at a most unfortunate
Trusting, however, in the wise and
righteous dominions of Providence over
passions Of men, and the result of their
and actions, as we'll as over
their lives, nothing remains for me but
n m hla rpaiUpatiOu