Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-03-01

I do not know of any place near home
where a Pennsylvania Democrat could
receive more inspiration than from the
Democracy of the Peninsula. am
glad to Join you in the celebration of
the 16Sth anniversary Of the birth of
Washington. 1t is a comparatively
short period from the birth of Washing
ton to the close of the present century,
but the memory of Washington occu-
pies as warm place in the hearts of
the people as it did at any time. No
matter what are the party differences,
all are hushed in doing honor to the
memory of George Washington. The
American people unite in one accord in
voicing their sentiments in his memory.
We are indebted to him more than to
any other man, not only for his leader
ship and triumph in the great seven
years war of independence, but fer his
great victory in peace.
At the close of the war of indie
pendence more danger threatened the
people than at the beginning of the war,
as they were disorganized mass, with
conducted by the consent of the
colonies, and there was no Cover nment
TO raise money or conduct affairs in
time of peace. When the treaty of
17S3 was signed the American people
were confronted with the fact that they
had no government. What they had in
that direction was only rope of sand.
Washington joined with the citizens in
calling constitutional convention,
which met in 1877, four years after the
close of the war. Washington was made
president of that convention. A II in
terests united in electing him president
and In following his leadership IN the
councils, Therefore, it was largely due
to his efforts that We have the con
stitution under which we are living
today. When Washington thought Of
retiring, in 1892, Mr.. jefferson wrote to
him advising him not to do so, telling
him "the North and South will hang
together while they have you to hang
to-
Washington was far more successful
in tine organization of the government
than at any other time. and as we meet
tonight we do honor to him who has .
lofty place not only in our own country
but wherever the banner of libert,
waves. What would be his feelings i
he were alive today, while ons of tn,
most tragic wars in history is helm!
waged by great empire against
small republic in Africas His hear
always went out To any people VIII
were struggling for liberty and whereve
he saw people striving to Gefept
themselves. All of his indignation
would have been aroused when b
found that the seal of American CORE
spondence had been broken by anothe
government, and that, too, in violatio
of the neutrality law.
As We meet tonight we are stirre
with the memory of the conditions c
100 years ago, when we think of Wash
ington.
come from a State of which til
three lower counties on the Delawar
were once a part. The men OF Dels
ware. while living under the juris
diction of Pennsylvania seemed to /
in doubt about the right of sovereign
of Pennsylvania over the thee cnuntie.
and in order to avoid dispute with
drew and set up commonwealth
With the great statesmen who hay
represented Delaware in the councils
the nation, Bassett, the Bayards, II
Claytons and the Saulshurys. the natiC
has had more distinguished men tha
would have been the case had Del
ware remained part of Pennsylvani
1t Is proper at this time to discu
the conditions of the country. We ha'
had century Of experience of rarti
and can look back and take son
observations from history. As a di
tinguished statesman once said we a
to judge the future by the past. Partie
IS We understand them, are not co
fined TO our own country. Under eve
form OF government there have be-
parties. As was once said, if b
nations of the earth had not been sea
tered at the foot OF the Tower of Bat
by confusion OF tongues they wou
have been scattered by confusion
ideas
The speaker told of the necessity 1
parties and organization, and said t
first form of government had for
basis strength. History tells Us for
was used in the first government
was the few against the many, t
most powerful against the weakest 7