The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-02-28
Dedication of Washington's Monu-
ment.

ment.
The monument erected to the memory
Of Washington by grateful country, was
dedicated in the Federal City, on Saturday
last, with imposing ceremonies, according
to the ancient rites Of the Masonic frater-
nifty. The orations were delivered in the
House Of Representatives, the orators being
Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, and
John w. Daniel, of Virginia, honored sons
of the Old Dominion and the Old Bay
State. Mr.. Winthrop was not present,
but his Grafton was read in fine style, by
Ex-Gov. Long, of Massachusetts,. Mr..
Daniel delivered his in person, scarcely
glancing at his notes more than once or
twice during its delivery. We have read
with satisfaction both of these orations,
which gather consequence from the august
subject of them, as well as from the high
reputation for oratory Of the gentlemen
themselves. The name of Winthrop has
long been familiar to the country. He it
was who was the orator of the occasion, at
the laying of the cornerstone thirty-eight
years ago. In his own native State, his
name and fame are as familiar as house
hold words. 1t was fit that he should
again be. chosen as one Of the orators at the
completion of the monument, the bringing
forth of the cap-stone with shouting. Al
though growing feeble with the weight of
years, he sustained his former high repu-
tation as an orator, and like the subject of
his eulogy, the character Of Washington, it
was grand, stately and majestic, and will
add fresfrlaurels to his name, giving him
an exalted place among the most eloquent
of American speakers.
The name of John w. Daniel is new
name, comparatively, among the orators
and statesmen of our country, but one des-
tined to fill, as we believe, a lofty niche in
Fames proud temple, and its bearer to
become bright particular star in that
galaxy of statesmen and orators that shine
with respondent lustre in the corona Of
the Old Dominion. His Grafton, the first
great public effort, we believe, of his life,
entities him to take rank among the fore
most orators of our country, and it will
scarcely be considered extravagant to say
that he stands without superior among the
living or the dead. The field spread out
before him-that of eulogy of Washington
was one in which eulogy had seemed to
have been long since exhausted, and every
flower of rhetoric plucked by predecessors;
and yet, his genius was equal to the task
Of culIing afresh the choicest bouquets red
client with the richest and sweetest per-
fume to the memory of the Father of his
Country. Pure and chaste in diction, fresh
as the morning dew in the chalice of the
opening flower, earnest and imprisoned as
well he might be with so grand atheme from
which to draw his inspiration, no one can
rise from the perusal of this Grafton of Mr.
Daniel without placing him among the
ablest orators of this or any other age,
the compeer of such honored sons of the
Old Dominion, as Henry, Randolph, Wad-
dell, Clay, and other names which were not
born to perish, but to live in history to the
latest syllable of recorded time. The loft
lest and grandest achievement Of time is
our country and her incompatible institu-
tions These constitute a monument of
colossal proportions to the greatness of her
sons, chief among whom stands our peerless
Washington Proud we are, and proud
must every American be, of the long roll of
distinguished names which constitute the
greatness and glory of our country. And
proud must Virginia be that another hon
ored name has been added to the chaplet
which crowns her regal brow. Let us close
this article by asking, with SIR William
Jones,
What constitutes State?
Not high raised battements or labored mound,
Thick wall or moated gate;
Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned
Not bays and broad armed ports
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride;
Not starred and spangled courts,
Where low -browed baseness watts perfume to pride.
No-MEN. high minded men,
With powers as far above dull brutes endued
In forest, brake or den.
As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude
MEN who their duties know
But know their rights and, knowing, dare maintain,
Prevent the long aimed blow,
And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain:
THESE constitute State.