Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-18
VOICE OF HISTORY.
The Grafton Delivered Today by
William Writ Henry.
THE GLORY 0F The NATION.
A Government Founded on the
Peoples Virtue and Intelligence.
IT'S PERMANENCY ASSURED.

The grafton today was quite appropri-
ately delivered by William Writ Henry Of
Virginia, a descendant Of the great orator
whose words fired the patriots Of '76 to
deeds Of highest valor. AS was expected
the Grafton was a finished production, elo
Quent in diction and delivery. but more elo
Quent by reason Of the grand theme Of the
orator. The full text Of Mr. Henry's grafton
Is as follows:
Address of VIM. Writ Henry.
Fellow Citizens of the United States:
The exercises Of today are a fitting close
OF the series of centennial celebrations Of
the most important events in our revolu-
tonary history. Celebrations which have
presented wildly to the present generation
the courage Of our ancestors in winning
our liberties. and their wisdom in forming
a system of government which has proved
safeguard of the invaluable possession.
From the sktrmtsh at Lexington on 18th
April, 1775. when the immedicabile vulnus
was inflicted which finally severed the
igament binding the colonies to the mother
country. to the 3Oth April. 17Ss. when WASH
ington was inaugurated as the first Presi-
dent under the federal Constitution, the
most important events have been made to
pass In panorama before our eyes. The
attention Of the world has been more close
y attracted by us. and American history
has assumed its proper position In the fore
front. where 1t is destined to remain as the
great teacher Of advanced civilization.
hundredth anniversary of the laying Of
the corner stone of this magnificent Capt.
tol the permanent home Of the govern
ment of this great nation, and thus to COM
plete the roll-call Of the events which es-
tablished US among the nations Of the
earth.
In looking back upon these events how
Insignificant they appeared at the time
TO the outside world! Our battles were but
skirmishes as compared with the engage
ments Of the vast armies which had red
dened the soil of Europe and Asia in their
conflicts. Our Declaration Of Independence
was but brutum fulmen unless sustained
by force Of arms, which was believed to be
beyond our power. Our first union was
held by rope of sand and even our fed
eral Constitution. dependent as 1t was upon
popular Will, was an experiment with q d.
vided people-divided as to the wisdom of
the plan, and divided as to the construc-
ton of the instrument. 1t was confidently
predicted by the enemies of our free insti-
buttons that our experiment would prove
a miserable failure, and that but a short
distance would intervene between its cradle
and its grave.
The Scene Today.
But how different the scene of today!
What grand results have followed from our
despised beginnings! For more than q
century We have demonstrated. as no
other people have ever done before, our
capacity for self government. Our federal
system mas Deen tested In peace ana In
war, and by violent forces from without
and from within. yet every fiber has stood
the strain. and its perfect adaptation to
our needs under all circumstances has been
demonstrated. Yea. more; already the hope
Of our fathers as to the effect Of our free
institutions upon the human race has been
wonderfully realized. That hope was ex-
pressed by James Wilson in the Pennsyl-
vania convention which adopted the Con-
stitution. when he said: by adopting
this system we shall probably lay a foun-
dalton for erecting temples of liberty in
every part Of the earth. 1t has been
thought by many that on the success of
the struggle America has made for free
dom will depend the exertions of the brave
and enlightened of other nations. The ad-
vantages resulting from this system will
not be confined to the United States, but
will draw from Europe many worthy char
acters who pant for the enjoyment Of free
dom. 1t will induce princes, in order to
preserve their subjects. to restore to them
portion of that liberty of which they have
for many ages been deprived. 1t will be
subservient to the great designs Of Provi-
dence with regard to this globe-the multi
plication Of mankind, their improvement in
knowledge and their advancement In hap
DinesS"