Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1897-05-20
AFTER MANY YEARS
The Monument to Washington at
Philadelphia Unveiled.
Address Of President Mckinley story Of
the Movement To Erect the Mcna-
.'ent- History OF the society
of the Cincinnati

Of the Cincinnati
fuIi.ADgLruIA, May ia-Ilerc in the
eity which placed on his brow the
laurel crown Of achievement. the mem
ory OF George Washington-the soldier,
the statesman and the man-was hon
orcd to-day in monumental bronze.
The cord which released the saddling
hags of the figure as ruler of the re
public was drawn by its latest exec
n,ive. Surrounding him were men IN
whose veins runs the blood Of those
first patriots who battled shoulder to
shoulder with Washington.
NOTABLE GATHERING.
IL was notable gathering and rep
resentative Of the country. including
the president. the vice-presidcnt and
the cabinet officers; its defenders in
the officers and privstcs Of the army
and navy, and its best blood. in
the direct descendants of the
molders and makers of the nation.
Maj William Wayne. president OF the
Society of the Cincinnati. who formally
presented the monument To the city.
traces his lineage straight To Mad An
thony. and Vim. ". Porter. the orator
of the day, is a grandson OF David Rit-
tenhouse Porter. twice governor Of
Pennsylvania and a great-grandson of
Gen. Andrew Porter. VINO was on Wash
ington's staff in the revolution. Thus
no historic interest was wanting to
stimulate enthusiasm
rnE USvEILtSs CEREMONIES
The actual unveiling ceremony was
impressivcly simple. Bishop Whit
taker opened with prayer. and Maj
Wayne followed with an appropriate
addrcsS. Then came the unveiling by
President Mckinley. and the resultant
ciamor. augmented by national sa-
lutte Of 81 guns by the artillery. and
by the foreign and American war vessels
in the Delaware. This concluded.
President Mckinley spoke briefly. The
GRAFTON was then delivered by Mr.. For
ter The formal presentation Of the
memorial by the society to the city was
made by Maj Wayne TO Mayor War
wick with a short address by both. and
then the mayor transferred Il To the
fairmount park commission, which
body exercises jurisdiction over the
great pleasure ground.
President Mckinney. Address.
| FEIIuw-CrrIZENS- There Is q peculiar anil
tender sentiment connected with this memorial
IL expresses not only the gratitude and rever-
ence OF the living but Is a testimonial Of arec-
| ton and homage from the dead. The comrades
OF Washington projected this monument Their
love inspired IL Their contributions helped Tn
It. Past and prcscn; share in It's completion
and future generations will prcnt by its lessons
RARE AND PRECIOUS PRIVILEGE
To participate in the dedication OF such
| monument i rare and precious privilege
Every monument to Washington is n tribute to
| patriotism Every shaft and statue TO his mem
ory helps To ineuieate love Of country. encour-
| age loyalty and establish better eitixenship
God bless every undertaking which reyives pa
triotism and rebukes the Indifferent and law
less.
4 critical study OF washinrton's career only
enhances our estimation Of his vast and varied
abilities As commander-in-chief of the
colonial armies from the beginning Of the war
TO the proclamation Of peace. as president Of
the convention which framei the constitution
Of the United States and as the first president
OF the United States under that constitution
Washington has a distinction differing from
| name bears, or can bear. such relation TO the
government. Not only by his military genius
his patience his sagaeity. his courage and his
skill-was our national independence won. but
he helped In largest measure to draft the chart
| by which the nation was guided; and he was
The rrst-ehosen Of the people TO put In motion
the new government
AN ESTIMATE or HIs CHARACTER
His was not the boldness OF martial display
he eba Of h..s =
calm and steady Judgment won mems support.
| and commanded their confidence. by appealing
TO their best and nobieSt aspirations And.
| 1ithal. Washington was ever modest that at
| no time in his career did his personality seem
| In the least intrusive. He was above the temp
tation Of power He spurned the suggested
| crown He would have honor which tho
people did no, bestow. An interesting fact
| and one which love to recall i that the only
| time Washington formally addressed the con-
| stitutional convention. during all its sessions
over which he presided in this city. he appalled,
Tor 4 larger represen taticn Of the people in the
national house Of representatives and his ap-
/ peal was Instantly heedei. Thus he was ever
keenly watehfui OF the rights OF the people. In
| whose hands was the destiny OF our government,
/ then and now Masterful were his military
| campaigns, his civil administration commands
| equal admiration His foresight xss marvel
| Gus: his conception Of the philosophy OF gov
| ernment; his iasistenee upon the necessity oi
| education. morality. and enlightened eitizen-
| ship TO the progress and permanencc Of The
| republic can not be contemplated even
ut this period without filling Us with aS;onish-
menf at the breadth OF his comprehension and
| the sweep OF his vision
BIAzED THE PATH OF LIBERTY.
His was no narrow view OF government. The
| immediate present was not his sole concern
but our future good his constant theme OF
study. He biazet the path of liberty He laid
the foundation upon which ~c have grovr
from weak and scattered colonial governments
TO \ united republic. whose domains and pow
er as well as whose liberty and freedom. hav'
| become the admiration Of the world Distane.
and time have not detracted from the fame AM
force of his achievements or diminished tho
grandeur of his life and work Greet deeds d.
not stop in their growth. and those of Washing
ton will expand in influence In all the cen
turies to follow.
| WASHINGTON LIVES AND WILL LIVE.
The bcluest Washington has made TO eiyiiika
tion is rich beyond computation The ooliga
tions under which he has placed mankind arr
| sacred and commanding. The responsibility
he has left for the American people to preserve
and perfect what he accomplished. Is exaetins
and solemn Let US rejoice in every new
evidence that the people realize what they en-
joy, and cherish with affection the illustriou,
heroes Of revolutionary story. whose vaior ane
sacrifices made Us a nation They live in US
and their memory will help u keep the Gov
| enant entered into for the maintenance o
the freest government Of earth The ma
tion and the name OF Washington are in
separable. One i linked indissolubiy will
the other. Both are glorious, botl
triumphant Washington lives and will live
because what he did was for the exaltation o
man the enthronement OF the conscience. sn'
the establishment Of a government which rec
ognIzes all the governed And 50. too, will tn
| nation live victorious over all obstacles. adher
ing to the immortal principles which Washing
ton taught and Lincoln sustained
! History of the Monument
| On the 4th Of July. 1911. more than eighty-nv'
Il 49, .vo the Society Of the Cincinnati. whicl
L - -. -. L. h.rs .nr..arS "a hal