The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-05-01
GOVERNOR LEES SPEECH


At the Centennial banquet, In Response to
the Toast to His ExcellenCy, the President
of the United States.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN
The Inauguration Of George Wash
ington as tho first President OF
the United States, is the event in
American history we are celebrating to-
night. 1t so happens that l am at pres
emit the Governor Of tho State in which
he was born, lived and Is now sleeping
his last sleep 80 quietly and calmly that
no sound will ever awake him TO glory
again. Owing To that circumstance, and
from no merit OF mine, l feel l have
been honored by the request TO make a
RESPONSE TO the toast just read.
Virginia, In giving this illustrious
patriot to the whole country, recognizes
the fact that though one State may con-
tain the locality Of his birth, and the
place OF his burial, no one State can
bound his boundless fame, but that on
the wings OF renown his glory has been
waited 70 all parts OF the known world,
and now each State in the American
Union Is equally interested in all that
pertains 10 the hero's life, services and
character.
The national crown which binds the
brows OF the States, Ia indeed brilliant
with the military and civic deeds Of his
splendid career; for called by his coun.
try TO the defence OF her liberties, he
triumphantly vindicated the rights Of
humanity, and on the pillars Of national
independence laid the foundation Of a
great republic"
Twice invested with the supreme
magistracy by the unanimous voice Of q
free people, he surpassed In the cabinet
the glories Of the field, and voluntarily
resigning sceptre and sword, retired 70
the shades Of Mount Vernon.
Magnanimous In youth, glorious
through life, great In death-his highest
ambition was the happiness OF mankind
his noblest victory the conquest Of him
self.
In considering the States, therefore
We must remember the father OF oui
country, not only for the services OF hlt
sword, not only because he was Presl
uent Ol Lue OOuNGuIlOu IL 400 HhlCL
framed the Constitution, but because II
was due to his great influence that The
Constitutional helm Of our government
was attached 10 the Ship-of.state, wher
first launched on her great experimental
voyage.
We gaze with patriotic pride upon thu
grand rivers which flow from State Il
State, as they bear upon their brigh
broad bosons the white.winged mesSen
gers Of commerce, but how seldom d.
our thoughts dwell upon the source
from which these blessings flow.
We see the fiery steeds OF heaven fly
ing with electric hoois, placing IN clos
communication State with State, bu
who thinks Of the inventor Of the tele
graph2 Great parallel lines OF steel max
the track for the iron horse that rushe
needless Of danger and fearless Of oppo
Bltlon, leaving rivers aud diving unle
mountains, bringing together theBurgln
pillows Of tho Atlantic and the goldei
sands OF the Pacific, making possible III
realization OF Benton's dream, that
statue OF Christopher Columbus shout
DO placed Upon the highest peak Of III
Rocky Mountains, wifi the whole noun
, tain as the pedestal while with face an
arm turned toward the West, II shout
. seem 10 say 10 the flying traveller,
} LOi There IL the EaIt-thetO Ii India"
I. But who thinks Of the originator Of th
4 steam engine9 Great discoveries In 81
Q piled sciences are almost daily belh
i utilized fot the benefit oil man--bt
who's thoughts turn 10 the dlBcoveref
!. Great problems Of human government
!. have been worked out by The brain
] man-FreedOn has come 70 dwell In OF
I midst and itseems now as II the sClent
b Of popular government would DO prove
!, upon scale 10 which the Roman II
Q public was but mere province, for
ready the national banner floats oyl
!; moro square leagues Of Land, than d
y that 81 Rome after seven centuries
d growth, but who thinks often enough
r'' Warrington, Adams, Hamilton, Fran