Oakes weekly Republican. (Oakes, Dickey County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1898, 1896-03-06

spent the remainder of his days in
dignity and quiet hospitality, and, in
the enjoyment of the universal love
of4he American people. :.
| ca1not close this rambling talk
without once more referring to
Washington's Farewell Address.
What an exhortation to union and
harmony! Like all his other writ
ings it is pregnant with moral wis
dom and elevated patriotism, and in
language clear and forcible. He did
not aim to advance new ideas or bril-
liant theories, but rather to enforce
old and important truths which
would reach the heart as we'll as sat
isfy the mind. Was Washington a
prophet2 He had the power OF delv-
ing deep into history and the causes
that were operating in his midst, and
by his powerful perception and con-
ception compel them to yield their
principles; that is all that is necessa-
ry to constitute prophet.
Removed as we arc, century from
Washington in the body, We appre-
ciate the truth and force and insight
of his eagle mind when he admon-
ishes us to permit no ontangling or
intimate relations with foreign coun-
tries, no geographical or sectional diff
ferences" and the danger of "party
predjudice becoming evils that would
tend to retard and tear down Our body
polite; but above all there was one
sentiment in the mind of Washington
that was prior to all others; from his
first relations with the affairs of the
nation to his last state paper, the
Union was his watchword, and now l
address myself to the young men and
young women Of Oakes and our Re
public tonight, in the language Of
Washington; "The Union" You will
never be called upon to establish an
other Republic; You may never have
the opportunity to strike the shaokels
from three millions slaves, but there
are many peace revolutions which
must be fought with the intellect
and with the ballot in the near fu-
ture; this great west is yet a seething
mass of humanity without any fixed
principles of government and nation
al character; but before immigration
shall have filled our land, and this
songlomeration of European langua-
ges and principles OF government
shall have been assimilated into one
language and one national character,
this nation will be called to settle
many trying questions of state. With
Washington as the pole star of our
national constellation, and with
Hamilton, Adams, jefferson, Clay,
Webster and our msrtyred Lincoln,
and James G.. Blaine, who have al
ready joined the circle, may we not
hope for grand and glorious future?
! Study the life and character of Wash
ington; extol his virtues and assimi-
late his teachings; let your watchword
be "The Union" then will Americas
future be safe in the hands of coming
generations.
On the 14th day OF December, 1873,
after a short illness, Washington
died. On the 18th day of December
he was buried, quietly and without
parade in the family vault at Mount
Vernon. He may not bo as poetical
as Lincoln nor possess the eloquence
of Adams, but he possesses fewer in
equalities and a greater union Of vir-
tues than any other American, His
fame shines with truer lustre. At
the shrine of Washington all parties
can worship in unison.
"Oh wake not the hero, his battles are DER.
Let him rest, calmly rest, on his own na-
tive shore;
While the stars and the stripes of our coun-
try shall wave
O'er the land that can boast of Washing
tons grave.
Disturb not his slumbcrs, let Wash ington
sleep,
Meath the boughs of the willows that
watch DER him keep.
His arm is unnerved, but his deeds remain
bright
| AS the stars, in the dark vaulted Heaven at
| night.
| Oh! wake not the hero, his battles are DER
| Let him rest undisturbed on Potomacs S
fair shore;
| On the rivers green borders, with flowers
dressed,
With the hearts he loved fondly, let
Washington rest,