Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-02-26
BRILLIANT TOAST.
Hon. Jos. Moreland of Morgan
town Talked

Sons of Reyolution-stThe day we
Celebrate his Theme-Text OF the
TOas. which is Regarded as the Best
Delivered ON this Occasion.
AT the banquet given in Fairmont
by the West Virginia Society Sons of
the Revolution Hon. JOS Moreland
responded TO the toast 1.-THE day we
celebrate" The toast has been high
ly complimented by those who heard
| it. The full text is as follows:
On the 22d day of February 1882,
George Washington, Commander 10
Chief of the Continental forces in the
war of the American Revolution and
first President of the Great American
Republic, was born at Bridges Creek,
West Moreland county, Virginia.
Had Washington not been born it is
not probable that the Society Of the
Sons of the Revolution would today
be in existence.
To those who have lived along the
route traversed by General Braddock,
and over which he led his forces
against fort Duquesne, who have seen
the historic ground where, at the dis
astrous ambuseade OF July 8, 1855,
every aid was either killed or wounded
except him who bore the 'charmed
life," the name of Washington has an
especial interest. His countrymen
were then proud of his courage and
| conduct though at that time he was
but STRIPPING and engaged in the
service of the Mother Country. But
| the descendants of those countrymen
more especially honor cause to which
he later gave his untiring energies.
Although Major Washington was then
a volunteer in the service of Great
Britain, our admiration for his skill
and bravery as compared with that of
trained British soldiers, is raised to
high pitch.
Later on, when we see him mem
Der OF the Virginia assembly, fayorng
Union with Great Britain and oppos
ing the idea of independence, our ad-
miration is only excited by his readi-
ness to fight if necessary for the con-
stitutional rights of the colonies.
But still later when we see him
with the half starved soldiers under
his command, sharing their hardships
and trials-defeated at Brandywine,
making his terrible march at Valley
Forge we are excited TO the highest
pitch of admiration. It was then
that Frederick the Great declared Of
him and his forces that their achieve
ments were not excelled in brilliancy
by any recorded in the annals Of mill
tary action.
We are told of Washington that he
spoke "seldom and briefy.n Yet
Patrick Henry in speaking Of him as
a member of the Virginia Convention
declared that for solid information
and sound judgment he was unques
tionably the greatest man in the AS
sembly. He was member Of the
Continental Congress in IT'S when
the news of the battle of Lexington
called the country to arms in the holy
cause Of liberty and independence.
He was elected Commander in Chief
of the American forces and fastened
! to take command. By his courage,
prudence, tirmness and perseverance,
he conducted to a successful termina-
tion the long and arduous struggle for
independence.
| We read with great interest of the
| desperate straits to which he and our
revolutionary fathers were reduced.
Sometimes victorious, sometimes de-
feated, i'll supplied with mea and
ammunition almost always in desper-
ate straits-but in the face of great
odds pressing forward at all times to-
wards the accomplishment Of their
first purpose-the independence of the
Thirteen Colonies.
! The war concluded, Washington
proposed the convention for CONNER
cial purposes, which led to that con-
vention which formed the present
Federal Constitution and under this
constitution he was made President,
and inaugurated at New York in
1889 He served a second, but declin-
ed third term thus establishing the
unwritten law of ineligibility to third
term. He retired, leaving his fare
we'll address, the browning effort OF
his life rich legacy to his country.
Washington is said to have been
gracious and gentle, though at times
cold and reserved, happy in his do
nestle relations, but constantly occu-
pied in the affairs of his country so
as TIC prevent him from enjoying the
sweets of private life which he 50
much loved.
He was brave in battle, wise in
counsel, and transcendant in digniry
of character, the very synonym of
greatness, he will remain through all
ages pre-eminent as the true patriot
and splendid statesman. He will ever
shine as fixed star in the ornament
of American lights whose luster ex-
ceeds that of all the others. 1t is
well said, he was ''flrst in war, first
in peace and first in the hearts OF his
countrymen.
1t is related that when Washington
was first elected President he set out