Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-23
CELEBRATE In RAIN,
DAMP DAY ron noNoRrSG THE
MEMORY or WASHINGTON.
ENDURING INFLUENCE OF A HERO.
mi. the Theme of Rabbi CaIisch's
Fine Address before Pickett Camp.
ssiutes rfred and other OBJ
servances.
servances,

The ardor with which the anniversary
OF washlngtons Birthday would have
been celebrated in Richmond was some
what dampened by the almost ineessant
downpour OF rain during the day.
The veterans at the Soldiers Home
however managed TO keep their powder
dry. and the day was ushered In with
salute as the sun rose TO view from be-
hind the eastern hills. At shutdown an
other salute Of one gun was fired while
earlier In the afternoon there was
salute Of nineteen guns. Just as the sun
was setting a platoon OF the Howitzers.
in command OF Lieutenant Williams. re-
paired 10 the Capitol Square. and as Is
their usual custom fired national salute
in Washington's honor.
The observance Of the day was some
what after the usual order. The Federal
State. and city offices were closed; the
public schools gave holiday. the banks
and railroad depots were shut up. and
so were some OF the business places.
THE PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS.
The public demonstrations IN honor of
the anniversary were the fiag-raisng at
the Randolph-Street Public-School build
ing. the reunion OF the Richmond Light
Infantry Blues. the annual meeting OF
the Sons OF the American Revolution, the
social function at the Commonwealth
Club under the auspices OF the Confede-
rate Memorial Literary Society, the ad-
dress of Rabbi Calisch before Pickett
Camp. and the grand rally Of the Junior
Order OF United American Mechanics
with the Daughters Of Liberty at the
rNa1.a oil
night All OF these events at
tracted widespread interest, and in
most instances the attendance was
large.
DIR. Caiisch Before Pickett Camp.
The attendance upon the weekly meeting
of Pickett Camp last night was quite
large, despite the pouring rain. The ses-
sion was made As short as possible IN
order that the veterans might adjourn 10
the Commonwealth Club and take part in
the reception there. The exercises were OF
quite an interesting character. and opened
with a selection by the East-End quar-
tette. consisting of Messrs. J. l.. Pear
man, Roy Ford. John Bengal, and Charles
Mead There was a recitation by Mr..
John Eggleston; after which Rabbi e. n.
Calisch, the orator of the evening was
presented and delivered a fine address on
"The Enduring Influence Of a Hero"
Rabbi Calisch began by saying that
he did not suppose he was expected to
say anything abOut the late war; for
his audience knew q great deal more
about that than he did. Theirs was the
knowledge bought with the price Of a
bitter experience. But he wished TO say
d few words about the influence of the
hero whose birth they were celebrating.
That birth, l65 years ago, was most
important epoch in human history. II
haH haa % no
dence made him childless. that he might
be the father of his country" His in
fuence had been felt by all the nation as
truly as children do feel the influence Of
a father. He was a hero whose greatest
strength did not rest I'm the battlefield
TONES OF NATIONAL LIFE.
Heroes are the tonics Of national
life" the speaker continued. THE
worlds history clusters round the names
of few bold spirits who raised them
selves above the level of their fellows.
America has been exceptionally fortu-
nate In this respect. Though scarcely
more than a century DID, its history
is a full and noble one, because from
earliest Colonial days through the late
war, there has always been richness
of heroes. But greatest Of all is Vir-
gtnia's son, as fondly cherished in the
hearts of all his countrymen as in those
ton.
HE is honored with the affectionate
gratitude OF his country, not alone be-
cause he was commander in chief Of
that heroic army that wrested our In
dependence from the mother country,
but even more so, because of the beauti-
full and stainless lite that was his, be-
cause Of the noble heritage Of his con-
summate character which he bequeathed
unto his countrymen. He was the first
typical American, and the influence of
his life will WELD it's force upon Arneri-
can life as long as American life shall
last"
A SINGLE HERO'S INFLUENCE.
After comparing America at the birth
OF Washington with America of to-day,
the Rabbi continued that We must not
forget that the foundation Of all this
grandeur was laid, and all its subsequent
superstructure built up under the infiu-
ence Of a single hero. 1T is marvellous"
ne said, that the influence of a single
man should be spread so long and so
powerfully over a country so vast, and
filled with such mixed and heterogene-
Gus races as ours But that marvel
lousness disappears when we recollect
that that influence is founded on that
which above all races. creeds, classes,
customs climates or districts of the
earth, rises and dominates humanity as
its one enduring factor, and that Is,
the force OF the moral power.
This alone IS the fttest and will alone
survive. Mankind has heretofore, and
doubtless viii again in the future, be
given over to the sway of men who are
merely intellectual giants and moral
dwarfs, or phenomena of physical
prowess. But their sway never has been
and never will be permanent. Such
are the ones who hold Immortality with
in the hollow of their hands. as are
raised up by Cod working in His
name and spirit Moral truths only are
the rocks over which the pillows Of the
ages sweep in vain. All things else,
sooner or later, sink beneath the waters
and are lost sight of in the great ocean
OF time. as the waves OF the years surge
endlessly over them.
DUTY HIS LIES WATCHWORD.
at was the possession Of such truths
and the knowledge of them as demon
strated in his life that gives TO him
his enduring influence. Duty was the
waschword of his life. and the rare
endowments OF his mastery intellect
were ali employed 10 subserye the cause
OF sacred duty Integrity, justice, and
truth we're the guiding stars Of his con-
duct. and, historical or not. the cherry
tree incident sounds the Keynote of his
character DISSEMINATION and dishonesty
were abhorred by him as the body re-
dects poison. I.ovable In all his rela-
tions with his fellow-men, he never per-
mitted candor TO be lost, or suffered
sincerity TO hide her head. Tender as
no was brave, devoted as he was true.
loyal as he was modest. reverent and
patient under all difficulties, trustfu! In
suffering, his inspiring presence looms
up above the horizon OF the years. not
so much lighted up with the brilliance
of single glorious gift. as illustrious