With patriotic pride, we review the life of our Washington, and compare him with those of other countries, who have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient and modern names are diminished before him. Greatness and guilt have too often been allied; but his fame is whiter than it is brilliant. The destroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtues. It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and darkened the splendor of victory. The scene is closed, and we are no longer anxious lest misfortune should sully his glory; he has travelled on to the end of his journey, and carried with him an increasing weight of honor; he has deposited it safely, where misfortune cannot tarnish it, where malice cannot blast it. Favored of heaven, he departed without exhibiting the weakness of humanity. Magnanimous in death, the darkness of the grave could not obscure his brightness.
Such was the man whom we deplore. Thanks to God! his glory is consummated; Washington yet lives—on earth in his spotless example—his spirit is in heaven.
Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic General, the patriotic Statesman, and the virtuous Sage; let them teach their children never to forget that the fruit of his labors and his example are their inheritance.
SAMUEL LIVERMORE,
President of the Senate, pro tempore.
Ordered, That the committee who prepared the Address, wait on the President of the United States, and desire him to acquaint the Senate at what time and place it will be most convenient for him that it should be presented.
Mr. Dexter reported, from the committee, that they had waited on the President of the United States, and that he had acquainted them that he would receive the Address of the Senate immediately, at his own house.
Whereupon, the Senate waited on the President of the United States, and the President of the Senate, in their name, presented the Address this day agreed to.
To which the President of the United States made the following reply:
Gentlemen of the Senate: