Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-22

covered with glory. In this fortunate ln- terval, produced by his masterly conduct, our fathers, ourselves, animated by his re- sistless example, rallied around our coun- try's standard and continued to follow her beloved chief through the various and try ing scenes to which the destinies of our union led.
 Who is there that has forgotten the vales of Brandywine, the fields of Germantown, or the plains of Monmouth? Everywhere present, wants of every kind obstructing, numerous and valiant armies encountering, himself host, he assuaged our sufferings, limited our privations, and upheld our tot tering republic. Shall l display to you the spread of the fire of his soul, by rehearslng the praises of the hero of Saratoga, and his much loved compeer of the Carolinas? No; our Washington wears not borrowed glory. To Gates-to Greene, he gave without re- serve the applause due to their eminent merit.
 Moving in his own orbit, he imparted heat and light to his most distant satellites; and combining the physical and moral force of all within his sphere with irresistible weight he took his course, commiserating folly, dis daining vice, dismaying treason, and invig- orating despondency; until the suspicious
 hour arrived, when, united with the in- trepid forces of potent and 1nagnanimous | ally, he brought to submission the since con | queror of India; thus finishing his long ca reer of military glory with a luster core spending to his great name, and in this, his 1 last act of war; atfiXing the seal of fate to
 nations birth.
 To the horrid din of battle, sweet peace
 succeeded; and our virtuous chief, mindful l only of the common good. in moment | tempting personal aggrandizement. hushed
 the discontents of growing sedition; and sur rendering his power into the hands from
 which he received it, converted his sword ! into plowshare, teaching an admring
 world that to be truly great you must be l truly good.
 Were I to stop here the picture would be 1 incomplete, and the task imposed untin- | lshed. Great as was our Washington in war | and as much as did that greatness contrib
 ute to produce the American republic, it is
 not in war alone his preeminence stands | conspicuous. His various talents, combin- l ing all the capacities of a statesman, with
 those of soldier, fitted him alike to guide | the councils and the armies of our nation. Scarcely had he rested from his martial
 tolls, while his invaluable parental advice
 was still sounding in our ears, when he, who
 had been our shield and our sword, was
 called forth to act a less splendid, but more
 important part. The finger of overruling Providence, l pointing at Washington. was neither mis-
 taken nor unobserved; when, to realize the
 vast hopes to which our revolution had | given birth. change of political system be-
 came indispensable.
 How novel, how grand the spectacle! In- | dependent states, stretched over an inn
 mense territory, and known only by com
 mon difficulty, chngng to their union as the
 rock of their safety. deciding by frank com
 parison of their relative condition, to rear
 on that rock under the guidance of reason,
 a common government through whose com
 Inanding protection, liberty and order with
 their long train of blessings should be safe
 to themselves, and the sure, inheritance of
 their posterity.
 This arduous task devolved on citizens selected b5 the people. from knowledge of
 their wisdom and confidence in their vir. tue. In this august assembly of sages and
 patriots, Washington of course was found
 and as If acknowledged to be the most wise where all were wise, with one voice he was declared their chief. How we'll he merited this rare distinction, how faithful were the iabors of himself and his compatriots the , work of their hands and our union l strength and prosperity, the fruits of that work, best attest.
 First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes ol
 private life. Pious, just, humane, temper ate and sincere; uniform, dignitied and com
 manhng, his example was as edifying to all l around him were the effects of that ex } ample lasting.
 His last scene comported with the whole tenor of his life; although in extreme pain not sigh, nor n groan escaped him; anC 5 with undisturbed serenity he closed hii [ well-spent life. Such was the man America l has lost! Such was the man for whom oul nation mourns!
 -------------- -------