The defender of his country--the founder of liberty,
The friend of man,
History and tradition are explored in vain
For a parallel to his character.
In the annals of modern greatness
He stands alone;
And the noblest names of antiquity
Lose their lustre in his presence.
Born the benefactor of mankind,
He united all the greatness necessary
To an illustrious career.
Nature made him great,
He made himself virtuous.
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Since ancient Time began,
Ever on some great soul God laid an infinite burden--
The weight of read more
Since ancient Time began,
Ever on some great soul God laid an infinite burden--
The weight of all this world, the hopes of man,
Conflict and pain, and fame immortal are his guerdon.
Oh, Washington! thou hero, patriot sage,
Friend of all climes, and pride of every age!
Oh, Washington! thou hero, patriot sage,
Friend of all climes, and pride of every age!
'Twas his ambition, generous and great
A life to life's great end to consecrate.
'Twas his ambition, generous and great
A life to life's great end to consecrate.
While Washington hath left
His awful memory,
A light for after times.
While Washington hath left
His awful memory,
A light for after times.
This is the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birthday of
Washington. We are met to celebrate this read more
This is the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birthday of
Washington. We are met to celebrate this day. Washington is the
mightiest name on earth--long since mightiest in the cause of
civil liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that
name an eulogy is expected. It can not be. To add brightness to
the sun or glory to the name of Washington is alike impossible.
Let none attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the name and in its
naked, deathless splendor leave it shining on.
That name was a power to rally a nation in the hour of
thick-thronging public disasters and calamities; that read more
That name was a power to rally a nation in the hour of
thick-thronging public disasters and calamities; that name shone
amid the storm of war, a beacon light to cheer and guide the
country's friends; it flamed too like a meteor to repel her foes.
The purely Great
Whose soul no siren passion could unsphere,
Thou nameless, now a power and mixed read more
The purely Great
Whose soul no siren passion could unsphere,
Thou nameless, now a power and mixed with fate.
America has furnished to the world the character of Washington!
And if our American institutions had done nothing else, read more
America has furnished to the world the character of Washington!
And if our American institutions had done nothing else, that
alone would have entitled them to the respect of mankind.
A nobleness to try for,
A name to live and die for.
A nobleness to try for,
A name to live and die for.
