Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-05-19

the scene enacted today-a scene con-
ceiyed and planned by those very COM
rades in arms; executed by their sons
in peace. ~
Mai William Wayne, president of the
Cincinnati who formally presented the
monument to the city, traces his lineage
straight to MAD Anthony Wayne, and
William w. Porter, the orator of the day,
is q grandson of David RittenhOuse Por-
fer twice governor of Pennsylvania, and
a great-grandson of Gen. Andrew Por-
ter who was on Washington's staff in
the revolution Thus no historic interest
was wanting 70 stimulate enthusiasm.
The actual unwilling ceremony was i'm
nressiyely simple Bishop Whitak er
opened with prayer, and Maj. Wayne
followed with an appropriate address.
Then came the unwilling by President
Mckinley and the resultant clamor aug
mented by the national salute of twenty
one guns by the artillery and by the
foreign and American war vessels in the
Delaware. This concluded, President
Mckinley spoke as follows:
Fellow Citizens There is peculiar and
tender sentiment connected with this me-
mortal 1t expresses not only the graft
tude and reverence of the living but is
testimonial of affection and homage from
the dead. The comrades of Washington
projected this monument. Their love In
spired it. Their contributions helped to
build it. Past and present share in its
profit by it's lessons.
To participate in the dedication of such
a monument is a rare and precious prlvl-
lege. Every monument to Washington is
a tribute to patriotism. Every shaft and
statue to his memory helps to inculcate
love Of country, encourage loyalty and es-
tahiish better citizenship God bless
every undertaking which revIves patriot
ism and rebukes the Indifferent and law
less
A critical study of Washingtons career
only enhances our estimation of his vast
and varied abilities.
AS cemmander-in-chief of the colonial
armies from the beginning Of the war to
the proclamation of peace, as president
of the convention which framed the con-
stitution of the United States and as the
first President of the United States under
that constitution, Washington has a dis
tincti0n differing from that of all other
bears or can bear such a relation to the
government. Not only by his military
genius, his patience, his sagacity, his cour-
age and his skill was our national indie
pendence won, but he helped in largest
measure to draft the chart by which the
nation was guided, and he was the first
chosen of the people to put in motion the
new government.
His was not the boldness of martial dis
play, but his calm and steady judgment
won mems support and commanded their
confidence by appealing to their best and
nobleSt aspirations And withal Washing
ton was ever so modest that at no time in
his career did his personality seem in the
least intrusive. He was above the tempta-
ton Of power. He Spurned the suggested
crown. He would have no honor which
the people did not bestOw. An interesting
fact-and one which / love to recalls that
the only time Washington formally ad-
dressed the constitutional convention dur
ing all its sessions over which he presid-
ed in this city he appealed for a larger
representation of the people in the national
House of Representatives, and his appeal
Instantly hooded
keenly watchful of the rights of the peo-
pie, in whose hands was the destiny of
our government then and now.
MaSterful as were his military cam
paigns, his civil administration commands
equal admiration. His foresight was mar
velous; his conception of the philosophy
necessity of education, morality and en-
Gghtened citizenship to the progress and
permanence Of the republic cannot be con-
templated even at this period without fill
ing US with establishment at the breadth
of his comprehension and the sweep of
his vision.
His narrow view of government.
The immediate present was not his sole
concern, but our future good his constant
theme Of study. He blaZed the path of
liberty. He laid the foundation upon
which we have grown from weak and scat
tered colonial governments to a united
republic whose domains and power, as we'll
as whose liberty anS freedom, have become
the admiration of tie world. Distance and
time have not detracted from the fame
and force of his achievements or dimn-
isEed the grandeur of his life and work.
Great deeds do not stop in their growth,
and those of Washington will expand in
Influence in all the centuries to follow.
The bequest Washington has made to civ.
iliZation is rich beyond computation. The
obligations under which he has placed man
kind are sacred and commanding. The
responsibility he has left for the American
people to preserve and perfect what he ac-
comDliShed are eXacttng and solemn. Let
us rejoice in every new evidence that the
people realize what they enjoy and cherish
with affection the illuStrious heroes of
Revolutionary story whose ValOr and sacrl-
fees made q nation. They live in us and
their memory will help us keep the cove
nant entered into for the maintenance of
the freest government of the earth
The natien and the name Of Washington
are inseparable. One is linked indissolubly
with the other: Both are glorious, both
triumphant. Washington lives and will
live because what he did was for the ex-
altation of man, the enforcement OF con-
science and the establishment Of a gov
And So too, will the nation live victorious
over all obstacles, adhering to the immor-
tai principles which Washington taught
and Lincoln sustained.
The grafton was then delivered by Mr..
Porter The formal presentation of the
memorial by the society to the city was
made by Maj. Wayne to Mayor War
wick. with short addresses by both, and
then the mayor transferred it to the Fair
mount park commission, which body ex-
ercises jurisdiction over the great pleas
ure ground.
President Mckinley and his distin-
guished company reviewed the imposing
military parade, and the crowd when not
looking at the troops, reviewed the Presi-
dent and his party.
The night will be devoted to various
phases of celebration, apart from the din
ner The Wheelmen's parade with near
~ 10000 in line, will be the principal
feature Examinations from the menu-
ment, the city hall, the Union league
and other nointS will add to tha hyil-