St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-23

lnterSperSed with singing OF patfiOtlc
Songs by the Mendelssohn quartette and
instrumental selections by Seibert's
orchestra. Hon. Albert EdgertOn, the
distinguished president of the society.
addressed the company on the history of
the societies of the Sons and the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution.
The farewell address of Washington
was read in SonOrOus and pleasing
manner by Oscar Nj. Metcalf.
A telegram was read by Secretary E.
S. Chittenden which was sent by Mrs.
r. NJ. Newport as president of the
Daughters of the Revolution society,
and Judge Edgerton, as president OF the
Society of the Sons of the Revolution,
to the congress of the Daughters OF the
American Revolution III session at
Washington. The telegram conveyed
the congratulations of the two Mime
sofa societies to the congress.
Col. j FL. Davidson made an I'M
promptu speech on behalf of delcga-
ton of fifty from the G. A. r. conven-
ton, which is holding two days ses-
sion in the city. Col. Davidson said that
the Grand Army posts could not attend
in BODY for lack OF room, but assured
the society that the Grand Army is with
the society heart and soul, and would
yield nothing in the way of patriotism
and in concentrating the events of
the earlier events of the country. Col.
Davidson was repeatedly applauded,
and retired to his seat amid hearty APP
plause after reassuring the society of
the hearty greeting sent by the Grand
Army boys.
The Grafton of Senator Stevens was
many times interrupted by hearty ap-
plause, and that gentleman was taken
by the hand by hundreds at the close of
the meeting and congratulated on his
effort. An abstract of Hon. IL. f.
Stevens Grafton is given below:
Senator stevens Grafton.
1t is fitting that the Minnesota socie-
ties of the Sons and Daughters Of the
American Revolution shall be foremost
i'll their devotion to the memory OF
Washington, for when the Union,
which was so largely the result Of his
efforts and influence and the object of
his lasting Solicitude, was assailed by
those who had forgotten his fervent in
functions, it was from MinneSota's gov
ernor that the first tender of troops was
made IN its defense. 1t was within Its
capitol, upon this very spot, that the
name of the first volunteer in the United
States was placed upon the roll. When
the fate OF that Union hung in the
balance on that eventful day at Gettys-
burg, it was the First Minnesota regi-
ment which was chosen to stem the adj
vancing tide of rebellion, and to furnish
the nobleSt holocaust ever offered upon
the altar of patriotic devotion; and,
finally, when peace had been restored
and the work of completing national
monument to his memory was reSum ed,
Minnesota was among the first to tender
a generous contribution in its aid. The
daughters of, Columbia hold no festival
to whiah this younger sister is not bid
den.
We meet upon the 161st anniversary
of the birth of Washington. Almost a
century has elapsed since his lie work
ended and his immortal memory began.
During that life he was the recipient of
honors such as no other American has
achieved, and since his death not only
his countrymen, but the world, have
united in according him primacy among
the sons of men. Every mark of re-
spect which reverence and affection
could suggest has been shown to bis
memory, while the language OF eulOgy
has long since been exhausted in COM
memorating his virtues and lmpreSSing
| the example of his life and the precepts
| of his wisdom upon succeeding genera
| tons.
Fruitful as is the theme. the harvest
has long since been garnered. 1t re-
| mains only to CLEAN where others have
reaped.
No Correct Estimate
of the character and services of Wash
| ington is possible which does not take
| into account the circumstances in which
| he was placed and which contributed
some of them favOrably and others adj
versely to the ultimate result; and
| chief of these were the character, senti-
ments and conduct of those who. in
greater or less degree, were associated
in accomplishing it.
1t was fortunate for America that the
| first crisis of her career was illumed by
| the wisdom of such galaxy as that
band of patriots of which he was the
radiant center.
Although speculation is idle, and
while is not probable that such bene6-
cent results could have been achieved
under any other leadership than his, il
| detracts nothing from the character OF
| Washington to affirm that, among the
Revolutionary leaders, there was more
| than one who. could he have been
| chosen, would have conducted the
| struggle to a successful issue; and that
several OF those who were identified
! with the conduct of civil affairs during
the eventful period preceding the adop-
ton of the constitution might, with the
enjoyment of popular confidence, have
been safely intrusted with tho supreme
| authority. Certain it is that, without
| their loyal. intelligent and self-sacri-
ficing support, his efforts would have
| been In vain.
1t was also fortunate that, behind
them. cheering their hearts and staying
| their hands against foreign foes and do
| nestle traitors. stood firm, courageous
and devoted yeomanry, for whom nc
task was too severe, no sacrifice too
great which duty might impose. These
were the favorable circumstances. All
! else was adverse. The spirit of polit-