! .'!•{«: <: $ ■ AS <©®&®S©Sf- J2I.IT EH ED AT TIIE DAPTIST CHUHCJf" IN THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, "ON FIftDAY THE 22nd. OP FEBRUARY, 183& J* AT THE REQUEST OS I THE GEORGIA HUSSARS BT JOHN* MACPHERSON BERRIEN COMMANDER OP THE CORPS. PUBLISHED BY THEIR DESIRE; SAVANNAH: TV. T. WILLIAMS 1822. EMORY UNIVERSITY LIBRARY The name of Washington—-the remem¬ brance of those virtues, which gave to that name immortality—the recollection of those deeda of wisdom, of valour and of patriotism, which under the cheering influence of Heaven's ap¬ proving smile, secured to our country, free¬ dom and a rank among nations; these fellow citizens and brother soldiers, shall constitute the subject of this address. August, inspir¬ ing theme! How delightful the task to give utterance to the feelings which it excites, if, catching inspiration from the subject, I conld impart to these reflections, a dignity and an interest worthy of the occasion oil which we are assembled. The birth day of Washington: the recur¬ rence of that period, which is inseparably con¬ nected with the memory of him, who was em¬ phatically " First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his fellow citizensthe 4 Remembrance that he once was, and is now no more : who will arrogate to himself the power of giving adequate expression to those mingled emotions of grief, admiration and gratitude, which these recollections are cal¬ culated to excite, to those feelings of which time has not yet diminished the force in the bosoms of my countrymen? In the seclusion of the closet, retracing the history of the past, re-assembling in imagination, those distin¬ guishing incidents in the life of our Washing¬ ton which will live on the historic page, and are yet fresh in the recollections of an admir¬ ing world, when the mind is warmed by the contemplation of its subject, and the heart glows with admiration and gratitude : he must be cold indeed, who does not experience emo¬ tions which he will vainly attempt to express. Who has not felt under such circumstances, all the impotence of language ? There are indeed men of gifted minds, deep¬ ly imbued with the etherial spirit which spake them into being, able to penetrate the secret recesses of the human heart, to unveil its profoundest emotions, to feel, and to commu¬ nicate their feelings. But such instances are rare; they are thinly scattered along the waste of time, and like the nightly wanderers of the sky, amid the darkness of the tempest, they appear only at intervals to relieve for a 5 moment tlie surrounding gloom. What Amer¬ ican is incapable of feeling the gratitude which lie owes to Washington? If such there be, perish the memory of his name! Yet how few among* us are able to give adequate expression to those feelings ? Yes—the magic power, by which the speaker is enabled to breathe into language all the energies of his soul—with resistless force to captivate and enchain the feelings of his hearers, rendering them res¬ ponsive to his own, is indeed the happy lot of an enviable few. My views are limited to the performance of a more humble task. I do not come here mere¬ ly to pronounce the eulogiumof Washington. That effort has already exhausted the powers of genius, and still his best eulogy is found in the affections of his countrymen. Far less is it my purpose, to dwell in minute detail oa the various incidents of his eventful and glorious life. The faithful biography of Washington was a debt equally due to posterity and to its illustrious subject; but it has been discharged with fidelity by a kindred spirit, who has stamped upon the interesting volume, the im¬ press of his own giant mmd. It is the sole purpose of this address to pre¬ sent to you in brief connection with some of the distinguishing incidents of his life, those views of his character, of the virtues which e adorned it, striking in themselves but ren: dered more so by their rare and peculiar com¬ bination, which designate Washington as a model for imitation to a nation of freemen. Let us retrace this idea with reference to the feelings and duties which are appropriate to the occasion of our assemblage. It is in the indulgence of the best and purest impulses of the human heart that we offer to our benefac¬ tors the homage of our gratitude ; the tri¬ bute is paid with cheerfulness to those living worthies who have distinguished themselves by a generous devotion to the public weal: but when the career of the patriot has been closed in death—rather let me say, when he lives only in the memory of his virtues—feelings of reverence, mingle with, ane]^ elevate, and pu¬ rify our gratitude, xlccordingly, the example of every age has consecrated the custom in obedience to which we are this day assembled. But it is not merely to do honor to the mem¬ ory of the departed, or to indulge the express¬ ion of our own grateful feelings, that this custom was instituted, or that it has been pre¬ served. Or if these be the only motives to its institution and observance, it aftords another; and it is a fine illustration of that beneficent law of our nature by which the indulgence of virtuous emotions is rendered at once pleasing and salutary imparting to the mind 7 the highest gratification of which it is suscepr tible, in the conciousness of its own rectitude; elevating it by that consciousness, and stimu¬ lating it in the legitimate pursuit of happiness,- by fortifying and strengthening its love of vir¬ tue. In the spirit of these feelings, let us proceed to meditate upon the character of Washington. It were vain to attempt to describe it in all the brilliancy and splendour with which it broke upon the vision of his cotemporaries and compatriots, when the war-cry of oppres¬ sion menaced the liberties of his country; equally vain would be the attempt to draw with feeble hand the portrait of Washington, us he appeared to our fathers in the garb of the warrior, amid the battle's strife, liberty's ■chosen, gallant soldier; an indignant sense of his country's wrongs flashing from his eye, the sword of her vengeance gleaming in his hand. If there be in this assembly one gallant spirit who shared with him the perils and the glories of that trying hour, his heart will proudly respond to the truth of this as¬ sertion. But the contemplation of such a character cannot fail to be useful. It has prominent features which will be obvious to the most unskilful observation. Such is its excellence' as a whole, such the purity of the qualities 8'' of which it is composed, tliat however imper¬ fect the analysis, the result will still present a rare and happy combination of public and of private virtues. Of the earlier years of the life of Wash¬ ington, the events are neither numerous or striking. They were spent in the retirement of his paternal residence^ under the protect¬ ing care of his only surviving parent. "I thank the Gods (said Philip of Macedon, up¬ on the birth of Alexander) not so much for having made me a father, as for having given me a son in an age when he can have Aristotle for his instructor." No such fortune awaited him who was destined to be the founder of the American Re¬ public. No gifted sage conducted him through academic groves, to the schools of philoso¬ phy, aided to develope the powers of his mind, or pointed out to him the ascent to the temple of science. His education—I use the term in its ordinary acceptation—was necessarily limited: but he had early acquired, what it is the* chief end of all education to communicate, a habit of mental discipline, a power of self control, which assisted by persevering exer¬ tion and the intrinsic strength of his own great and comprehensive mind, atoned for the want of academic instruction, 9 Even in the morning of life, he was Vifc ginia's chosen champion. Her extended and helpless frontier was committed to his protec¬ tion ; and ever emulous of glory, he was found braving death at the side of the gallant, but unfortunate Braddock. Pause to contemplate his progress : imbibing the rudiments of civil science from some village preceptor, and grasp¬ ing intuitively the elements of the military art, amid the toils and perils of savage warfare ; the statesmen and diplomatists of Europe have acknowledged his wisdom in the cabinet, and he has triumphed in the field over the discip¬ lined myrmidons of despotism. This portion of the life of Washington, is full of instruction to the youth of our country. To them it affords a stimulous to exertion, which it is the appropriate purpose of eulogy to pre¬ sent and to enforce. Let them learn from his great example, to what lofty heights he may legitimately aspire, who resolutely devotes the energies of his mind to the gratification of a laudable ambition : and if their own peculiar destiny, or the times on which they are fallen, should afford no occa¬ sion for splendid exertions in the cabinet, or for heroic achievement in the field ; let them remember, that Washington was no less pre¬ eminent in those virtues which adorn and elevate the citizen, than distinguished by thotfe 10 qualities, which fitted him to be ilwn the struggle for freedom. Illustrious man ! favoured of Heaven! how .splendid the destiny which now awaited him. The in dependence of his country established ; 12 tlie laurel of victory entwined around his brow; the idol of the army; a nation of freemen hailing him as their benefactor. O ! if his Blighty soul could have yielded to the influ¬ ences of lawless ambition, what a moment for the purposes of lawless ambition was this; but the spirit of the patriot, was pure as it was lofty : he w as the champion of freedom, and could not stoop to be ambition's slave. I am unable to picture to myself a scene more affecting and sublime, than that in which Washington is exhibited, in the volun¬ tary surrender of the high commission with which he had been intrusted : the measure of his glory seemed now to be complete; but he was destined to transcend it. The closing scene of his military life had encircled his character with a moral lustre, exceeding in brilliancy the splendour of victory; ^et when posterity shall sit in judgment upon the merits of Washington, the meed of pre-emi¬ nence will be awarded to his civil magistracy. Let your recollections revert for a moment to that eventful period of our history, which preceded the adoption of our federal char¬ ter. Under the guidance of Washington, and the often manifested favour of Heaven, we had passed through the dangers of our revolution¬ ary conflict: the gorges as banner of the ty¬ rant no longer waved in proud and insolent. 13 defiance over the soil which had been conse¬ crated by the blood of the free and the brave. His myrmidons had retired in discomfiture from our shcres. Liberty, Independence, a rank among nations ; these were the rich re¬ wards of the valour and patriotism of our fathers. It was an hour fitted for the indul¬ gence of the highest, holiest feelings, which, ever warmed, animated, electrified the hu¬ man bosom; w hen every freeman of this infant and regenerate nation, obedient to one com¬ mon impulse, should have knelt before the Grod of the universe, in humble gratitude for the past, in fervent supplication for the future ; and with one universal and accor¬ dant voice, should have registered in Heaven's own chancery, the vow to preserve, perfect* perpetuate their union. Yet even in this sol¬ emn hour, when the memory of common dan¬ gers, which union alone had averted, was yet fresh and glowing, the demon of civil discord stalked through our land- A disjointed con¬ federacy tottering to its fall, afforded impunity to faction. Public credit and private confi¬ dence had vanished ; the project of three sep¬ arate empires, doomed to interminable strife, or to consolidation by conquest, menaced the destruction of the patriot's hope. At this eventful crisis, Washington oncemore emerged from his retirement; he came, and the murky il 1,Toads of faction were dispersed, as tlie v apours jF the natural atmosphere melt away and arc dissolved before the cheering beams of the Riorums orb of day. He came, and from con¬ fusion and chaos, sprang order and efficient government. This is the epoch of his civil magistracy. At tlie period of which I speak, England and France, were to the American statesman, the Scylla and Charybdis which it was alike, dangerous to encounter, and difficult to avoid. Ait intimate intercourse with tlio former was demanded by our interests, but was forbidden by our passions. Our feelings prompted us lu fly to the paternal embrace of the latter, hut the suggestions of prudence withdrew us from her grasp. Mistress of the seas, enjoy- wig the commerce of the world, our connec¬ tion with tlie, former was essential to our pros¬ perity ; but wc had been estranged from her by a series of oppressions, which had termin¬ ated in war, and our feelings were embittered by the recollection of our sufferings. The latter, was convulsed in the struggles of a revolution, which threatened to prostrate every thing that religion^ virtue, and the habits of civilized life had rendered sacred : but to her we were attached, by the grateful recollection of her services in the hour of our countrytrial. Her gallant sons had mingled 15 Uiei'r blood with ours in defence of GUr right*; had shared our perils., and participated in our triumphs : here too, we proudly said, they had Imbibed those principles of freedom for which the v nyere coiiiciidnr:'. The influence of these f o feelings was electric; the American people were excited to enthusiasm, an enthusiasm alike menacing to their rulers and dangerous to themselves ; which was irritated by opposi¬ tion, while destruction marched in the train of its unchecked progress. In this trying moment "some man was wanted who possessed a commanding power over the popular passions, but over whom those passions had no power; that man was Wash- ington." Discerning with prophetic eye, the true interests of his country, and resolutely determined to maintain them, he breasted the shock of contending factions, and once more triumphed in her cause. His successful nego- ciation with one nation, the dignified neutral¬ ity which he observed to both, of which suc¬ ceeding statesmen have learned to appreciate the value, extorted the respect of the contend^ ing powers, excited the admiration of Europe, and w ill secure to him at the impartial tribunal of posterity, a fame more durable than vic¬ tory can bestow. Hitherto he had taught his countrymen to triumph over their enemies; hig last great effort was, to teach them, and, he did teach them, to triumph over themselves. 10 We approach the period when Washington was once more permitted to enjoy the retire¬ ment which he loved. Having personally tested the efficiency of the government which he had assisted to devise; having seen his country under its- mild and beneficent influenc¬ es, advancing with a rapidity unexampled in the history of nations to prosperity and re¬ nown ; having embodied the principles of her civil polity, in a valedictory address which is the "• Monur.icnturn cere perennius" on which posterity will inscribe the record of his fame; having illustrated them by his example, and enforced them by a cogency of reasoning, to which past experience had, and to which sub¬ sequent experience has, borne its unerring tes¬ timony, he delivered them as a solemn legacy to his countrymen, under the sanction of his great and venerable name; and once again re¬ tired to the peaceful shades of Mount Vernon. The moment is propitioiis to the contempla¬ tion of his character. The career of the pat¬ riot, t]ie warrior and the statesman, has now been closed; Washington lingers yet a little longer on this mortal scene, and then sleeps with his fathers. The benedictions of his countrymen attend him in his retirement, and mingling with their griefs,hallow the turf which covers his remains. What were those distin¬ guishing qualities of the inind and heart, de- 17 rived from nature, or fashioned by education, which gave to Washington so decisive a pre¬ eminence among his countrymen? which just¬ ly designate him as a model for imitation to a nation of freemen ? The distinguishing fea¬ ture of the mind of Washington, was solidity of judgment. I do not use this term as it has been used, in contradistinction to genius; in my view it includes genius* and something more; something without which mere genius, however brilliant, would be delusive and in¬ efficient ; to me it seems to be that power which the mind displays, in the deliberative process which it employs, for the ascertainment of truth, and to include the subordinate faculties ; the power to collate appropriate materials, the capacity to anticipate every variety of modifi¬ cation of which they are susceptible, the tal¬ ent to decide upon the result of any given com¬ bination which is presented to its view ; thus understood, it was forcibly illustrated in the character of Washington. More than any other man, whose name is known to fame, did he possess the practical talent of rendering the powers of other minds tributary to his own; and of increasing its proper efficiency, by that mild but indisputed dominion, which he exercised over theieelings of his cotemporaries; by that resolute and undeviating moral discipline, to whieh he sub- IS jected his own. This is the next distinguish ing feature in the character we are contemplat¬ ing. He v as born with strong passions arid affec ¬ tions ; over them was his first victory: who without them could have fulfilled the liigli behests of his destiny? That philosophy which w ould annihilate the passions and affections of the heart, may fit a man to suffer in the school of the stoic; but it will not qualify him to act on the Great theatre of life: it will unfit him to fulfil the benevolent purposes of the Deity, w ho has given nothing in vain. What is the ambition of glory ? An ardent love of one's country, and indignation against its enemies. What are they but the passions and affections which necessarily enter into the character of a hero ? But although they are the sources of every great and heroic action, yet they are pregnant with danger; because prone to ex¬ cess, and must therefore be regulated by judg¬ ment. It was the object of the moral discip¬ line of which J speak, to perform this office,, not by annihilating them, nor merely by res¬ training their exercise; but by a proper appli¬ cation, to make them positively conducive to the liigh purposes for which the benevolence of Heaven had designed them. This sketch, prepared in unjustifiable haste, and with powers inadequate to the task, must 19 necessarily be imperfect: time flies, and youp patience lias its limits. But the subject lias moreover intrinsic,insuperable difficulties. The character of most men is composed of opposite qualities; of virtues and vices sufficiently prominent and contrasted, to admit distinct¬ ness of delineation. I know of no prominent vice in the character of Washington; it was a combination of virtues, nicely adjusted, and finely harmonized: the result is obvious. The study of it leads us to contemplate the beauty of virtue, and the traits of individual charac¬ ter are lost in the generality of our ideas. Let this summary suffice. His Patriotism was without alloy; yet the ardour of his devotion to his own country, did not exclude from his bosom, feelings of benev¬ olence to the whole family of nations. As a Soldier, he exhibited courage without rashness, and caution without timidity; the prudent forbearance of Fab ins, with all the vigour and enterprise of Marcellus. As a Statesman, lie manifested ail ardent devotion to liberty; but it was to liberty so regulated, as to be secure from the assaults of licentiousness. As a Man, he displayed a stern and unbend¬ ing integrity, which permitted to himself no deviation from duty; but he had a heart warm with every generous and social affection. 2U In his Manners were finely blended, digni¬ fied self-respect, and an affable and concilia¬ tory mildness. It was the final excellence of his character, that he was a sincere and pious Christian', not merely professing an admiration of the mild and benevolent doctrines of Christianity, but illustrating his devotion to them, in his life and conversation. The adulation of his followers taus-lit Alex- ander of Mucedon to believe that he was a God; the applauses of the American people could not make Washington forget that he was a man ; and great as he deservedly was in our view, he could feel all his nothingness in the presence of his Father in Heaven. Where shall we find a paralell to his char¬ acter ? If Heaven in the inscrutable counsels of its providence, had withdrawn him from us an the season of our country's trial, there was a gal¬ lant chieftain, his companion in arms, but he too has passed away, who might have grasp¬ ed his falling mantle; upon whom would have descended a full portion of his mighty spirit; who would have emulated his glory. Fellow citizens of Savannah! we are the guardians of his ashes ; he was the shield of our defence. Washington has been compared with Epam- inoiidas, Aris tides, and Marcus Aurelius; 21 but the splendour of antiquity fades before the mild lustre of his virtues. Where then shall we seek for this paralell? There was one towering and gifted spirit; the times in which we live have witnessed his ad¬ vent and his departure. Framed in the hidden purposes of Omnipotence to influence, the des¬ tiny of millions, he came as the soldier of liberty, as the champion of European freedom. Tyrants trembled in his presence ; the vision of a glorious immortality dawned upon his soul; the portals of the temple were unfolded ; the sacred recesses of the sanctuary were open¬ ed to his view, the laurel of unfading verdure was already within his grasp—delusive vision: why did it recede from his touch. Its corrus- cations were brilliant, but it was the glare of the meteor, as bright, and as transient. Peace to his memory! he sleeps unhonored in a far distant isle. A gleam of light breaks upon us from the East; it illumines that classic ground, " where liberty once subsisted in its excess, its deliri¬ um ; terrible in its charms, and glistening to the last with the blaze of the very fire that consumed it;" but which for ages, has echo¬ ed only the tread of the tyrant and the slave. The descendants of the heroes of Leuctra and of Marathon, of Thermopylae and of Pla- tea awake from their slumbers; in the visions 22 of the night they have communed with (he spirits cf their fathers. God of our fathers, be thou their guide ! If Heaven in its mercy hath decreed the de¬ liverance of Greece; if the scenes, which in ages long past were sacred to liberty and to genius, are destined to re-appear in their pris¬ tine splendour, the task of their regeneration will be worthy of a hero, and another Wash¬ ington may appear to gladden the nations. Fellow soldiers! companions in arms ! who have chosen to identify your existence as a military association, with the anniversary of the birth day of Washington: remember the duties which this selection imposes. Study the character of this illustrious model, realize his spirit, let his precepts and his counsels be engraven on your hearts. Cultivate discipline, without it you are helpless. Learn to use with skill and effect, the arms which you wear; you may be called to wield them in defence of all that is dear to you. Cherish an esprit de corps : united you stand. The respectability the whole, is reflected upon each individu¬ al; you are embarked in one common purpose, engaged in one common cause; citizen-sol¬ diers, associated in defence of the liberties of your country, cultivate harmony; it will add to yniir strength, and increase your respectability. Officers ! remember the trust which is com- 23 united to you., the confidence which is repos¬ ed in you by your brethren in arms. Watch with fidelity over the discipline, the safety and the comfort of those whom you command. The honor of the corps is especially entrusted to your charge : guard it with the untiring vigi- lence which superstition enjoined upon the ves¬ tals of the temple. Soldiers! yield a prompt and cheerful obedi¬ ence to command. Subordination is essential to the efficiency of your corps. The post of honor, is not exclusively confined to any station, "act well your part, there all the honor lies.7' Whatever may be your post, resolve with the great Theban, to ennoble it by your conduct. Officers and soldiers! cherish feelings of res¬ pect and good will to your military brethren of other associations. They are objects of just pride to us, since they do honor to our common country. Let us prove to them that we are thus proud, by emulating their example. My eye rests upon the Banner* which is destined, if Heaven will it, to be your " lead¬ ing star" in the hour of your country's peril. Shall it be indeed your leading star ? shall it wave proudly in the battle fray, frowning defi¬ ance on your foes ? shall it be seen where dan- *The new standard of the corps, was displayed for the first time en this occasion. Its motto was ''Be this ov.r leading star.' 21 ger thickens? shall it float, and flout gallant¬ ly on the edge of battle ? shall it guide you to victory in the cause of your country ? the light of your steps, the emblem of your ^nown ? 33o you swear to defend it ? Then rally around it, it is your banner : its glory is your glory, Its stain—but you "will not stain it. By the men v of God, it shall never be stained! To you sir, called by the voice of your- brethren in arms to tills honorable trust, with a soldier's confidence in your valour,and a free¬ man's assurance of your patriotism, 1 commit this Banner. Receive, protect, preserve it; let it be indeed our leading star in the hour of peril; let it conduct us to glory, or to honor¬ able graves; "Free be it flung" in the causer of our country. What though it is not consecrated by the hand, of beauty, or hallowed by the labours and ben¬ edictions of our fair country-women, shall dt not wave proudly and freely in their defence ? Receive it sir, it is yours. In the presence of those who in the fullness of an honorable confidence have deputed you to bear it— In the presence of these gallant soldiers who know how to appreciate the value of the trusts-In the presence of your assembled fellow citizens—i In the presence of the Chd of our fathers," even in his Sacred Temple I commit it to your charsre.