Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-12-14

Grafton of Marquis Louis de FOn-
tanes, Pronounced to the French
Army and Nation In Paris--Wash-
ington Held Up as a Military Gem
ius, a Leader and a Counselor.
On learning of Washington's death
Napoleon ordered public demonstra
ton of respect and selected Marquis
de Fontanes, whose finished style won
him the title of ''Racine's Last De
scendant," to pronounce a eulogy upon
the great American The scene was the
Temple of Mars, now the Hotel des
Invalides.
France" said Fontanes, unbiased
by those narrow prejudices which exist
between nations and admiring virtue
wherever it be found, DEGREES this trib-
ute of respect to the names of Wash
ington. AT this moment she contrib
utes to the discharge of a debt due by
two nations. No government. whatev-
er form it bears or whatever opinions
it holds, can refuse its respect to this
great father of liberty The people
who so lately stigmatized Washington
as rebel regard even the enfranchise-
ment Of America as one of those events
consecrated by history and by past
ages. Such is the veneration excited
by great characters. The American
Revolution, the contemporary of our
own, is fixed forever Washington be-
gan it with energy and finished it with
moderation. He knew how to main
tain it, pursuing always the prosperity
of his country. and his aim alone will
Justify at the tribunal of the Most
High enterprises SO extraordinary.
'"To pronounce the eulogy of the hero
of America requires the sublimest elo-
quence of the first of orators | reflect
with sentiments of admiration that
this temple. ornamented with the
trophies of valor. was raised up in an
age of genius, an age which produced
as many great writers as illustrious
commanders Then the memory of he
roes was intFusted to orators whose
genius gave Immortality. Now militia
ry glory shines with luster, and in ev-
cry country the glory of the fine arts
is shrouded in darkness. My voice is
too feeble to be heard on an occasion
so solemn and momentous andsso new
to me. But as that voice is pure-as
it has never fattered any species of
tyranny-it has never been rendered
unworthy of celebrating heroism and
virtue.
Nevertheless, these funeral and mil
itary honors will speak to all hearts
1t needs not the aid of speech to raise
strong and indescribable emotions The
mourning which the first consul or
ders for Washington declares to France
that Washington's example is not lost.
1t is less for the illustrious general
than for the benefactor and friend of
great people that the Grape of mourn
ing now covers our banners and the
uniform of our warriors. Neither do
we prepare that unmeaning pomp. so
contrary to policy and humanity. in
which insult is offered to misfortune,
| contempt to venerable ruins and
calumny to the tomb Every exalted
idea, every useful truth, Is seen in this
! assembly. | speak before warriors the
honorable praise of a warrior firm in
adversely, modest in victory and mag
| unanimous in every stage of fortune.
Before the ministers of the French
republic speak the praises of a man
whom ambition never swayed and
whose every care tended to the welfare
of his country; man who, unlike 9th
ers that have changed empires. lived
in peace in his native land and in
that land which he had freed and in
which he had held the highest rank
died as a simple individual.
General Washington offers exam
pies not less worthy of imitation.
Amid all the disorders of camps, amid
all the excesses inseparable from a
civil war. humanity took refuge In
| his tent and was never repulsed. In
triumph and in defeat he was always
as tranquil as wisdom, as simple as
virtue. The finer feelings of the heart
never abandoned him, even in those
moments when his own interest would
seem to. justify a recurrence to the
laws of vengeance.
'It is these extraordinary men who
appear at intervals on this vast scene
with characters commanding and il
lustrious. An unknown and superior
cause sends them when it is fit to lay
the foundations of new or to build up
the ruins Of old empires. 1t is in vain
| that these men step aside or mingle
with the crowd. Destiny leads them
on. They are carried from obstacle
to obstacle, from triumph to triumph,
until they arrive at the summit of pow
er. Something supernatural animates
all their thoughts. An irresistible
movement is given TO all their enter
| prises. The multitude still seek them
among themselves and find them not.
They raise their eyes and see in
sphere dazzling with light and glory
those whom their ignorance and envy
would call rash.
"Washington had not those high and
commanding traits which strike every
mind He displayed more order and
| Justice than force and elevation in his
ideas. He possessed. above all, in an
eminent degree, that quality which
some call vulgar. but which very few
possess-that quality not less useful to
the government of states than to the
/ conduct of life and which gives more
tranquility than emotion to the soul
and more happiness than glory to those
who possess it. 1t is of good sense
that speak Audacity destroys. genius
elevates, good sense preserves and per-
fects. Genius is charged with the
glory of empires, but good sense alone
assures their safety and repose. His
end portrayed all the domestic virtues.
as his life bad been an ,illuStrious ex-
ample in war and politics. America
| regarded with respect the mansion
which contained her defender. From
| that retreat, where so much glory
| dwelt, sage counsels issued. which had
no less weight than in the days of his
| power. But death has swept all away.
| He died in the midst of those occupa-
| tions which sweeten domestic life and
support us In the intirmitles of age.
From every part of that America
he delivered the cry of grief Is heard.
| It belonged to France to echo back the
mournful sound 1t ought to vibrate
on every generous heart. The shade of
| Washington on entering beneath this