The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-05-22

AAA "o
city which placed on his brow the
laurel crown of achievement, the MEM
DRY of George Washington-the soldier,
the statesman and the man-was hon
ored to-day in monumental bronze.
The cord which released the saddling
flags of the figure as ruler of the re-
public was drawn by its latest exec
utive. Surrounding him were men In
whose veins runs the blood of those
first patriots who battled shoulder to
shoulder with Washington.
A NOTABLE GATHERING.
1t was a notable gathering and rep
resentative of the country, including
the president, the vice-president and
the cabinet officers; its defenders in
the officers and privates 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. W. 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, who was on WASH
ington's staff in the revolution. Thus
no historic interest was wanting to
stimulate enthusiasm.
THE UNWILLING CEREMONIES.
The actual unwilling ceremony was
impressively simple. Bishop Whit
taker opened with prayer, and MAJ.
Wayne followed with an appropriate
address. Then came the unwilling by
President Mckinley, and the resultant
clamor, 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.. Por-
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 it to the
Paramount park commission, which
body exercises jurisdiction over the
great pleasure ground.
President McKinley's Address.
FELLow-CTTIzENs-There is a peculiar and
tender sentiment connected with this memorial
1t expresses not only the gratitude and rever-
ence Of the living, but is a testimonial OF afec-
tion and homage from the dead. The comrades
OF Washington projected this monument. Their
love inspired it Their contributions helped to
it Past and present share in its completion.
and future generations will profit by its lessons.
ARARE AND PRECIOUS PRIVILEGE.
To participate in the dedication of such a
monument is a rare and precious privilege.
Every monument to Washington is a tribute to
patriotism Every shaft and statue to his mem
DRY helps to i~nculcate love Of country, encour-
age loyalty and establish q better citizenship.
God bless every undertaking which revives pa
triotiSm and rebukes the Indifferent and law
less
A critical study Of Washington'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 framed the constitution
of the United States, and As the first president
of the United States under that constitution,
Washington has a distinction differing from
all other illustrious Americans. No other
name bears, or can bear. such a relation to the
government. Not only by his military genius
his patience, his sagacity, his courage and his
skilI-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 1rst-chosen of the people to put in motion
the new government
AN OF HIS
His was not the boldness Of martial display,
ror the charm Of captivating oratory, but his
calm and steady judgment won mems support,
and commanded their confidence, by appealing
TO their best and noblest aspirations. And,
withal, Washington was ever so 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 no honor which the
people did not beStow, An interesting fact
and one which 1 love to recalls that the only
ltiTue Washington formally addressed the con-
Sstitutional convention, during all its sessions
-Jger which he presided in this city, he appealed
Eor a larger representation of the people in the
national house of representatives, and his ap-
peal was instantly needed. Thus he was ever
Eeenly watchful Of the rights Of the people, in
whose hands was the destiny of our government,
then and now. Masterful as were his military
campaigns, his civil administration
equal admiration. His foresight was marvel
Gus: his conception of the philosophy of gov
his insistence upon the necessity of
education. morality, and enlightened citizen
ship to the progress and permanence of the
republic can not be contemplated even
at his period without filling US with aStonish-
rment at the breadth of his comprehension and
The sweep Of his vision.
BLAZED THE PAT 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 blazed the path of liberty. He laid
the foundation upon which we have grown
from weak and scattered colonial governments
to a united republic, whose domains and pow
-er, as well as whose liberty and freedom, have
become the admiration of the world. Distance
and time have not detracted from the fame and
force OF his achievements, or diminished the
grandeur of his life and work. Great deeds do
not stop in their growth, andthose of Washing
ton will expand in influence in all the GEN.
turtles to follow.
WASHINGTON LIVES AND WILL LIVE.
The beQuest Washington has made to ~civiliza-
gfion Is rich beyond computation. The obliga-
ti0ns under which he has placed mankind are
sacred and commanding. The responsibility
he has left for the American people to preserve
and perfect what he accomplished, is exacting
and solemn. Let US rejoice in every new
evidence that the people realize what they en-
joy, and cherish with affection the illustrious
heroes of revolutionary story, whose valor and
sacrifices made US a nation. They live In US,
and their memory will help US keep the COW
enant entered into for the maintenance Of
the freest government Of earth. The ma
ton and the name OF Washington are in
separable. One is linked indissolubly with