Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1938-06-09

/ lllc NiSJ FCplCIc Will pTOOAS VI pail
otic virtue.... (having) acted so cor
, spicuous part in the establishment
} of American independence....yo
. might have retired to private life.
(and) enjoyed the appreciation Q
an unright mind. (and) the ar
plause of grateful country. but
happily, you chose to continue.
(tilD the confidence Of your felloy
citizens. placed you at the helm o
state....you have kept the honor o
the nation....in view....we pray tn
Wise Ruler....to preserve you
health and life."
Adams replied to this with a yer
bose letter, in which among othe
things he said: "If any efforts 0
mine, in concert with others o
brighter talents and fairer fame.
have contributed to rich country.
this alone. is) a sufficient reward
for the services of whole life
Washington was dead, and there
was great diversity of opinion al
how things were going to be han
died. The country was far from be
ing united in any kind of an opin
ion or any subject you might men
tion. Many thought it would be but
a short while till we would either
go back with England or establish
q monarchy ourselves, as the bick
| erings between factions was daily
| growing more serious, and those
who were really competent to han
die affairs of state were either get
ting tired of it or were being push.
ed into the background.
However Washington had i'm
planted in the minds of his close
followers his theory of how the
country should be developed and
gradually this small number grew
in power until they could hold down
the malcontents.
All over the country the death of
Washington cast shadow. In all
parts of it his services to this ma
tion were again brought to the at
tention Of the people and as was the
custom his funeral was celebrated
all over the land.
I find one account of ceremony
that, no doubt, was similar to those
held all over the country While
all of us have read, in various ac-
counts, of the honor paid his men,
ory, / want to give you an account
OF the services held at the fort III
February, 1890. At this, no doubt,
many of this valley were present,
know that some of my own ances-
tors attended, from letters now in
my possession. Although they wrote
an account of what they saw, I shall
give you the report as given in
paper called "The Western Spy"
but 1 do not know where it was pub
lished, though l have reason to be-
lieve it was at Cincinnati
"And Solemn Moved Along The
Cavalcade''
Saturday last exhibited to this
town scene of mourning which it
had never before witnessed That
day had been previously set apart
Tor the purpose of paying the most
solemn funeral honors to the mem
ory Of the man First in war. first
in peace, first in the hearts of his
countrymen," General George Wash
ington.
In obedience to the orders of
Major General Hamilton, Captain
Miller, the commanding officer at
the fort had made arrangements
for that purpose. The morning Of
the solemn day was announced by
16 discharges of cannon, in quick
succession.
At IL o'clock the troops formed
on the fiat in front of the garrison,
where they were joined by Captain
Findlay's troop of horse, the Ma
sonic brethren, and large con-
course of citizens, all eager to tes~
tify their high veneration for the
character of the illustrious deceas-
ed, and the deep sense which they
entertained by his loss, by paying
this mournful tribute of respect to
his memory. The bier was received
by the troops, formed in lines, with
presented arms. officers, drums, and
colOrs saluting.
The procession then moved on in
the following order, minute guns fir
ing from the garrison, and the mu-
sic performing solemn dirge. The
order of procession: Cavalry; regu
lar troops; horse representing that
of the general, with saddle, holsters
and pistols. and boots reversed;
Rev. Mr.. Wallace; on each side Of
corpse were the pail bearers, DR..
Sellman, Captain Prince, Captain
Spencer, DR.. Elliott, Major Zeigler,
Major Goforth; his excellency, the
governor and the attorney general, |
as mourners; Masonic brethren;
militia officers, in uniform; citizens. |
Having proceeded through the
different streets, and arriving at the
place representing that of inter-
ment, the military halted, and, op-
ening their lines, formed an avenue
for the bier, and those Immediately |
attendant upon it, to pass through, |
the troops leaning upon reversed
arms.
The coffin, having been deposited
in grave, prayer, suitable for
the occasion was delivered by the
Rev. Mr.. Wallace, after which the
Masonic brethren performed their |
ceremony. Three discharges of |
over the grave concluded
the military ceremonies
His excellency, the governor, then
delivered the address. (The above
is from the paper dated February
5, 1900.
AS Washington had been a rather
close personal friend of St. Clair, |
his address was polished tribute |
to his departed friend. 1t was
much more simple in language than |
was customary in those days, being
more of personal tribute than a !
loOsing of the eagle to scream. 1t |