Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-22
THE DANIEL GRAFTON.
vIRcINIA PAYS TRIBUTE.

VIRGINIA PAYS TRIBUTE.
A elewisx EuIssy Delivered Ia the House
OF Representatives. Nv the Wen. John W.
Dssiei.
Hon. John w. Daniel spoke as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the
Commission Solitary and alone in its
grandeur stands forth the character Of
Washington in history; solitary and
alone, like some peak that has no fell
low in the mountain-range Of greatness.
Washington says Guizot -
Washington did the two greatest
things which in politics il is permitted
to man TO attempt. lie maintained by
peace the independence Of his country
which he had conquered by war. He
founded free government in the name
Of the principles Of order, and by re-
establishing their sway" Washington
did, indeed, do these things. But
he did more. Out Of disconnected
fragments he moulded a whole and
made it acountry. Iieachieved hiscoun
try's independence by the sword. He
maintained that independence by peace
as by war; lie finally established both
his country and its freedom in an en-
during frame Of constitutional govern
ment. fashioned TO make Liberty and
Union one and inseparable. These four
things together constitute the unexam-
pied achievement Of Washington.
The world has ratified the profound
remark Of Fisher Ames. that . he
changed mankind's ideas of political
greatness" IL has approved the opln-
ion of Edward Everett, that he was
"the greatest Of good men and the best
Of great men," 1t has felt for him,
with Erskine, "an awful reverence"
II has attcsted the declaration of
Brougham that - he was the greatest
man Of his own or Of any age II is
matter of fact to-day as when Cen
eral Hamilton, announcing his death
TO the army. said " The voice of praise
would in vain endeavor to exalt a
name unrivalled in the lists of true
glory" America still proclaims him,
as did Colonel Henry Lee in the House
of Representatives, 1.-the man first in
war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts of his countrymen. And from
beyond the sea the voice Of Aliieri.
breathing the soul Of all lands and all
peoples. still pronounces the blessing
I" Happy are you who have for the SUI
blimc and permanent basis of your glory
the love of country demonstrated by
deeds
Tell me. We who have unrolled the
scrolls that bear the records OF the rise
and fall of nations; We before whose
ewes has moved the panorama Of mans
struggles, achievements, and progress
sion. find you anywhere the story o
one whose lifc-work is more than irag
mcnt of that which in his life is Sc
before you?
SOLITARY IN HIS GRANDEUR.
Conquerers who have stretched you
sceptreS over bOundless territories
founders Of empires who have hel'
your dOminions in the reign of law
reformcrs who have cried aloud in tn
wilderness Of oppression; teacher
who have striven to cast down falls
doctrine, hercSy, and schisms states
men whose brains have thrObbe'
with mighty plans for the anne
Iteration of human society: scar
crowned Vikings of the sea. illustri
Gus heroes of the land. who have born
the standards Of siege and battle
come forth in bright array from you
glorious fanes, and would ye be inca
surcd bv the measure of his stature
Behold you not in him a more Illus
trious and more venerable presence
Statesman. Soldier, Patriot, Sage, Re
former of Creeds, Teacher of Truth an
Justice. Achievcr and Prescryer O
, Iiberty.-thc First of Men,-Founde
and Saviour of his Comtry-Fathcr G
r his People this is he, solitary and M
approachable in his grandeur.
Oh. felicitouS Providence that CAV
10 America our Washington
High scars into the sky to-day. hGl
cr than the Pyramids or the dome
ST. Paul. or ST. Pcter'S-the loities
and most imposing structure that ma
= has ever rcarcG-high scars into III
: sky to where
Earth highest yearns 10 meet star
the monument which 1--WE, the Poop
, Of the United States" have upllitcd
his memory. 1t is fitting monunen
more fitting than any statue; for h
image could only display him in son
one phase of his varied character.
the commander. the statesman. Il
= planter of Mount Vernon. or the Chi
Magistrate of his country. SO art hi
: ftly typiHcd his exalted life in yC
y plain lofty shaft. such is his greatnc
i that only by symbol could 1t be re
resented. As Justice must be blind
order to bc whole in contemplation.
History must be silent that by tn
mighty sign she may disclose the al
= pliiudc of her story.
: 1t was fitting that the eminent cl'
. zen who thirty-scycn years ago spoke
the laying of the cornerstone Shou
be the orator at the contamination OF I
= = work which he maugurated. 1t W
V Massachusetts, that struck the first bic
=" for independence it was her voice tn
made the stones of Boston to rise
: mutinv -; it was her blessed blood tn
> sealed the covenant of our Salyato
- The armament of our national life
= has thickly sown with deeds OF glor
II John Adams, Of Massachusetts,, "
= among the first TO urge the name
:, Washington to the Continental ConSrC
!" when it commissioned him as co
: mander-in.chief Of the American fore,
J" 1t was upon her soil that he drew
sword which was shcathed at fol
town. and first gave to the bat
breeze the thirteen stripes that III
= float III the new galaxieS of stars; a
meet il was that here in the Capitol
the republic. at the distance OF mt
than century from its birth, the c
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