Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-02-21
ALEXANDRIA,
SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 81.

INV countrymeu SOLITARY and alone Ia
it's grandeur stands forth the character VI
Washington in history solitary and alone
IKE some peak that has 10 fellow IN the
range ofgreatness. Out
of disconnected fragments lie moulded
whole and made it country. be achieved
his country's independence by the sword.
He maintained that independence by peace
as by war. He finally estshil-Led both his
country and it's freedom IL au enduring
frame of constitutional government, fash,
ion.d to make liberty and union one and
inseparable. High scars into the
sky to day, higher than the pyramids or
the dome of Sc. Pau's or 81. Peter's-tne
Hottest aud most imposing structure that
man has ever reared high soars into the
sly to where
EARTH highest yearns to meet star
the monument which 'Wr, the people OF
the United Slates,' have up!itted 10 his
memory. 1t is fitting monument, more
fitting than any statue. For his image could
only display him in some ole phase OF dis
varied character. So art has 6tiy typlhed
his exalted life in yon piaiu lofty shaft.
Referring to the Vrginisns Of the olden
time, the speaker said:
If even iu retrospect their somewhat
arstocra,ic manners touch The sensitive
nerve of u democratic people, it may at
least be said of them that nothing like
despotism, uihilisu, communism or dyna.
mite was ever luuod amongst them that
thew cherished at,,.e all thugs houur and
courage, The ririu, : preser.aliye of all other
virtues; that theii homes nerame the nurse.
ries of men. and leaders of men, vino could
cope with great forces, resolve great prob
lems, aud Assert great principles. And 1t 10
at least true that .lle;r ha!it- of thought
and living never pt"vei more dangerous 70
life, liberty, aud the pursuit OF happiness
than thuae OF others who i'll later days cor.
rupt the suffrage III the rank growth OF
cities build palaces and pile up millions
amid crowded paupers; monopoizs tele-
graphic and railway lines by corporate ma
ohinery; spnrn uil relations to politics save
to deuauch lis agencies for personal gain;
aud know no Goddess of Liberty, and 10
Eagle OF Country, save in the images which
satire itself has stamped OF the almighty
dollar"
Abiding to Mount Vernon, he said
Borne upon the bosom of that river
which here mirrors Capitol, dome aud mon
umental shaft, in IFS seward how,-the river
itself seems TO reverse its current and bear
us silently into the past. Scarce has the
vista of the city faded from our gaze when
we behold on tn. woodland height that
swells above the waters-amiast walks and
groves and gardens the white porch Of
that old colonial plantation home which
has become the shrine Of many pilgrim
age"
He traced the progenitors of Washington
back to the Norman conquest-'men Of
mark and fair renown" from whom descend
cd "a model of manly beautya man in all
that makes man, ere manhood's years
have been fulfilled, who "out into the
world of stern adventure passes, taking as
naturally to tho fold aud the frontier, ss
the eagle to the air."
He becomes commander in chief
of the American forces. After another
seven years. war he is the deuverer of his
country The old confederation passes
away. The Constitution is established. He
is twice chosen President uf the United
States and rsnounces further service. Once
again Mount Vernon's grateful shades re-
ceiye him, and there-the world-crowned
hero now-becomes again The simple cti-
gen, wishing his fellow men ito see the
whole world in peace, aud It's Inhabitants
one band OF brothers, striving who could
contribute most 10 the happiness of man
kind" without wish for hlnself but Ito
live and die an honest man Oh his farm" A
spec of war spots the sky. John Adams calls
him forth as lieutenant general and CON-
mander n-chief TO lead America once more.
But The cload vsnishes Pace reigos. The
-. f,tr
of the new nation. Sereae. eoniented, yet
in the strength Of manhood, hough on the
verge of three score years and ten, be looks
forlb-the quiet farmer from his pleasant
6elds-the loving patriarch from the bowers |
Of home-lock, forth ard sees the work of
his hands established IN free aud happy |!
people. Suddenly comes Tbs mortal stroke |
with severe coli. The agouy is soon over.
He feels his own dying puise-he hand re-
laxes-he muimuIs, 1t is we'll - and |
Washington IS no more. While yet Time !
had crumbled never stone, nor dimmed |
the iustrous surface, prone 10 earth the
might column fell"
'DisinteTe-ted patriot, he would receive no
pay for his military services. Refusing
gifts, he was glad TO guide the benefaction
IF grateful Safe to educate the children
IF his fallen braves in the institution at
Lexington which yet bears his name. With
,ut any of the bienishes that mark the ty.
.ant, he appealed So loftily to the virtuous
,lement in man that he almost created the
qualities Of which his country needed the
exercise and yet he was so magnanimous
md forbearing to the weaknesses of others
hat he often obliterated the vice of which
IL feared the coDst quence.
Invested with the powers of Dictator, the
country bestowing them felt no distrust of
ais integrity; he receiving them, gave as
'urance that, as the sword was the last re-
,ort of liberty, so 1t should be the first thing
laid aside when hberty was won. And
keeping the faith 10 all things. he left man
sind bewildered whether to admire him
most for what be was, or what he would not
No. Great in action as by the council
,oard, the finest horseman and knighlliest
iyure Of his time he seemed designed by
nature to lead in those bold strokes which
leeda must come when the battle lies with
. single man-those critical moments of the
campaign or the strife when, if the mind