Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-02-23
SPEECH OF SENATOR DUBOIS

g gorge washington.
At the memorial and patriotic SER
vices held az Christ Church yesterday
under the auspices of Mt. Vernon Cnao-
ter, D. A. r., addresses were delivered
by Rev. r. II. McKim, of Washington,
and Senator F. T. Dubois, of Idaho.
The addresses were el, l,quent, interesting
and instructive and were greatly enjoyed
by all present.
The rector OF the church, Rev. W. j.
Morton. announced that the Bible from
which the lesson was read and the prayer
book used in the service today were The
identical ones used 10 the service during
the colonial days, when Gen. Washing
ton worshiped there.
Rev. Randolph Harrison Mckim, a
former rector of the church, but at pres
ent of Epiphany Church in Washington,
was the first speaker. He said that he
was not present to speak Of Washington,
as the iron soldier, the skilled strategist,
the incorruptible patriot or the wise
statesman, but SIS a Christian man who,
all through his life, threw the weight OF
his Influence into the scales fo, religion.
Among other things Rev. Mr. McKim
said that when orators all over the land
we're praising Washington as the soldier
and the patriot, the church could come
forward and speak of him as a true
servant of the living God. He portrayed
Washington as Christian, his hrm
stand against the tidal wave of iPhdelity
which was spreading over tbe country
in his time and bis eze.;iobs toward sup
pressing gambling and swearing In the
continental army.
The following is the full textof Senator
Dubois's address
Reverend Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen
1t is very fitting that we should turn
aside from the ordinary pursuits
OF our busy lives t, do honor at recur-
ring intervals TO the works and memory
of those who have founded and helped
maintain our republic. 1t is well that
as the years 60 by Aore attention is
given TO the Remembrance OF the mighty
achievements of Jefferson, Jackson, Lin
coin and, first of all, Washington. 1t Is
well that The lessons of their lives should
be taught to American citizens every
where throughout the length and breadth
of our lard. This hsilowed place where
Washington attended divine service, this
old Christ Church, known and revered
throughout the world, cannot but inspire
one with deeper interest in all which
pertains to the life and character OF our
first President. A knowledge of the life
of Washington keeps the fire OF patriot
ism burning brightly and familiarity
with the incidents connected with the
early struggles of our forefathers for lib
er.y and q republican form OF govern
meui, leads us imperceptibly towards
higher ideals and 6rmer determination
to keep and make the government OF our
day worthy of its beginning.
gladly pay tribute to the Daughters
of The American Revolution, who are to-
day throughout the United States fol-
lowing the example Of the Mt. Vernon
Chapter in fttingly cOmmemOrating and
calling attention to the patriotic services
of the Father of our Country. While
he is being eulOgized in almost every
city of the United States, there is no
spot so closely connected with the per-
sonal life of Washington as Alexandria
aud this edfice. The people of the
United States, now living, have direct
interest in Mount Vernon and in this
church. There has not been much
change since Christ Church was COM
pleied in 1865, al which time George
Washington was made one of the first
vestrymen aud was the first pew holder.
Owing to the constant end arduous ei-
forts of the patriotic women of this ma
ton, this locality and Mount Vernon
have become soil and the mecca to
which hundreds of thousands OF people
journey every year. Every pilgrim to
these shrines is inspired with loftier con-
ceplious of his duty TO bis couutry. He
appreciates more the legacy beqneathed
him, and solemnly resolves TO be worthy
Of citizenship in this glorious republic,
| 10 eethDliSu NuiC1 lts iOuuucio N"~'NN
so many priyations.
The description Of Washington which
was given him by his contemporaries
and which has been handed down to US:
First in war, first in peace and first in
the hearts of his countrymen," is liter
ally correct: rhe more closely you
study his character, the more impressed
YOU are with the fact that he was the
real and the deserving, as he was the
the acknowledged leader of the great
men of bis time. He was surrounded
by men of surprising ability, a greal
many of whom be was inferior to intel
lectually. Most of these great men were
superior to him in individual traits o.
character, yet in a combination ofquali'
ties which 90 to make greatness, he wa
essily the superior of all. When yoi
recall his associates, among whom were
Thomas JefersoB, Alexander Hamii
ton, James Madison, Samuel Adams
James Monroe, John Hancock, Johr
Adams Patrick Henry, Bepjsmin Frank
lin, Edmund Randolph, Gouverneul
Morris, Richard Henry Lee, and many
others, whose images crowd into YOU
memory, you cannot but wonder tina
each and all of these greatest OF men
not only acknowledged his supremacy