Glass Book ■ G': / Of / i'-iivses^ntsffftiv^mU'maWi mmmmmmmmmmm MR. SEJYTER'S ORATION. ^'^'''^^"^'^VW^W^mmmmmmi tVtS£tlS£*SSStSM»9iSi \ .\ A?? 5 DELIVERED BEFORE THE WasJnngton Benevolent Society^ OF THE COUNTY OF BERKIMER OJ^ THE ^2d FEBRUARY, iSi7i By NATHANIEL G. M. SENTER; immimmmmmimmmmmmmmammmmmimammmmmmmmmmmmm^ nERKIMER ? ^RJNTKB BX »DWARD f , SETMO¥»j Mn', NAtHANIEL G. M. SENtE«i Sis, IJV comfiliance. fvith a resolution af the Washtngtbn Btnevoknt Sc- defy, of the county of Herkimer^ fiassed on the 22d day of February instant-^ioe present you the thanks of the Society, for the excellent Oration^ which on that day you delivered before the said Society — and request a copy thereof for fiublication. Rispectfulty uours , fs^c .February 34M, 1817. MATTHEW MYFRS, T PHILO M HACKLEY, I Cotamittee. GEORGE H. FEETER, J TO THE COMMITTEE FROM THE WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETlf, GSN'fLEMEN, J recFive your flattering request, and comply ivith it, more from a sincere iviah to evince to the rjorld my great regard for the firinci- files, and my vcnc^ati'jn Jar th^ iiluairiaua man, ivho is the subject of ths diacmrte, than any desire lo give publicity lo my feeble taUnta. Willi. a hearty ii>hh that his greatness never may be obscured, and his virtues ntver forgotten, J resign to you the desired copy. With respect and esteem, I remain your obedient servant, NATHANIEL G, M. SENTER, a:k 1^9 c^e. ^SET'irXEN OF fHE. JVjSHINCTOTf BEKKrOLENr SGCIETry jiND FELLOir-ClTlZENS : T must 1)6 ])leasin£5, in the sight of Heaven, lo see a >Jation, crowding to its temples, to commemorate the birth of the Founder of its freedom and glory. It is incumbent on us to pay just tribute to the memory of those who have been illustrious in the service of their country. Tlie S2d of February, 1733, i^ave birth to our beloved and lamented WAS lillSUTON— justly celebrated for his heroism and achievements — illustrious for his talents and virtue ; and immortal, in the unspotted purity of iiis heart, and the unsullied probity of liis mind. — Behold millions, this day, i)oniiiig fuiih th^ir (hunks to Heaven, and hailing in joyous Juhileey the vdorny vhich ushered in this splendid Luminary of human greatness. He rose, like the Sun in the east, silent in the granijfuk or HIS OWN LIGHT. — lu thc Zenith of his glory, he, like that fountain of light, illumined, in cloudles-3 apleiuJourf the objects which surrounded him.— His descent to the s;rave, was like the declention of that irradiated orb, in all thc majesty of letircing lustre. — On that day, so mournful, THE HEAVENS WITHDREW ITS GLOKY FROM OUR VIEW. Our country in tlse first burEts of grief, seemed inconsol- able for its loss. The v/orld said, thus died the hero without parnUel — (lie statesman without reproach — the man without disguise ; and the father v.itiiout a fault. Humanity lost its noblest onir.mcnt — the tcorld its great- est glory. It was not the accidental combination of &plen- iVid talents vritli inglorious vicvi s— or the cthciiai l"re of ^nius, With the grossness of infirmity. It wns not the lustre of blazing and ignited ambition, or the majestij of usurpation ; that characterised this immortal man. — His greatness had in it somethiHg more divine — to rescue his country from domination — to secure their freedom — or- ganize and dignify a government, whose destiii}' he wa? called to controul — and lay the foundation of his coun- try's glory, was the grand and Godlike purpose of t!»is illustrious and venerable man. Virginia gave !um birth. Descended from a venerable ancestry, he ever seemed ambitious of adding increased honors to his progenitors, dy his own great deeds. At the age of 19 he was appointed by i\\Q. unanimous Wishes of his countrymen, one of the Adjutant Generals of Virginia. At 21 he was deputed by the state to pro- ceed as envoy to the western frontiers. In the same year he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, and in his first at- tack he was successful and victorious. In the year 1755 he attended General jiraddock, as aid, in the ever mem- orable campaign in which he fell. — Soon after this defeat he was appointed to the responsible command of Chief, in and over the forces of Ylrgiuia. During th3 inhuman massacre of his countrymen on the frontiers, he Vi'as heard to declare, " He was melted with a deadly sorrow ? and that if a sacrifice would stop the effusion of human blood, Jie would sacrifice himself for his country^s good.'^ In 1758 he resigned his commission as provincial officer, and received (he thanks of his fellow-citizens, and the officers vof the British army. In 1774^ be v^as appointed a dele- gate to the Congress which met in Philadelphia, for the purpose of laying the foundation of a federal government. Engaged in that work neither opposition nor opprobrium, seemed to affect his determined and resistless vigor — con- tumely hurled its envenomed shafts in vain, and envy icith her foisoned Chalice shrunk from his presence, before its offerings were refused. The same year he was ap- pointed to tlie cliief command of the colonial forces. Here iwesea ted itself an aiiecting and glorious scene, •* Acouu- iry s^eearing to support its Chief Magistrate witli their Jives, and to adhere to him in the support of American liberty.'^ Invested with supreme command he proceeds to Cambridge to organize and discipline his infant army. We soon find liira engaged in offensive operations, which terminated gloriously for American arms — in the evacua- tion of Boston by General Howe. — For this he receives the thanks of his country ; and a medal is struck in com- memoratioo of that auspicious event. On the 27th of August he finds his little army defeat- ed by superior numbers at the battle of Long-Island ; and in the presence of the enemy effects one of the most mas- terly retreats recorded in our history. In a siibscquent campaign we find victory again perching on his standard, and in the battles of Trenton and Princeton fresh laurels encircle his brovvs. In 1778 he again receives the thanks of his country, for the victory at Monmouth over the roy- al forces. In I7SI he averts the dreaded rupture between the French and American armies, and in that memorable year strikes the mortal blow to British tyranny and usur- pation — by the capture and capitulation of Lord Cornwal- iis. Again tijis venerable and distinguished hero re- ceives the thanks of his beloved country. Peace now, like the morning star, began to beam upon his anxious and afflicted country. — " The stern and visaged front of war gave place to smiles of peace.'' The arduous task assigned him, accomplished, the il- lustrious founder of our liberties meditates a retirement from his labors. — Previous to the disbanding of the army under his comand, his yet bleeding heart was suddenly torn in anguish for the safety of the liberties he had foun- ded. — A conspiracy designed to pluck the crown of im- mortality from this champion of freedom, burst forth in all the malice of envy and machination. The eager and penetrating glance of Washington foresaw tlie tempest. At this moment of impending ruin, this illustrious hero in doubt of its reality, paused while he collected in array the energies of his mind. 6 His country lost in the anxious epilepsy of dread aad love for the freedom they had acquired, determined to a- wait the decision of this peerless statesman. The baptis- mal dove descended in cloudless effulgence, and with the spotless wings of its protection hovered around his holy person. The sj)irit of inspiration lit on Washington. — Awakened and enlightened he arrested rebellion, and disarmed its crested affrontery with the blush of affection ; and while the sceptre of disaffection was yet falling, he rouses his misguided country to their insecurity and peril. In view of this scene, Columbia cast an anxious eye towards the stern, enlightened dictator of the age. Invulnerable in the purity of his patriotism, he stood like^ the towering oak of his native soil, inflexible and unsha- ken amid the tempest, Ijuminous and resistless in persuasion, he subsidized the allegiance of the array, the prerogatives of reason, and the energy of his oivn great mind, to crush liie impious demons as they advanced to the unhallowed conflict. — What must have been the exulting sensations of his coun- tr^^men, when they found him triumphant ? Military fac- tion withered lihe the aspan leaf before his eloquent re- bukes. Before him the aspiring demagogue shrunk like the weed before the deadly Upas. Intrigue and faction bhed their untimely fruit, like a Fig Tree when shaken of a mighty wind. — ArtiSce and disguise unrobed them- selves before his searching eye. — The altar and tlie God of faction tumbled together in the dust before his inspiring presence. Having accomplished this, the world beheld him, like the illustrious Roman, retiring from the field of glory and renown. — On the 18th June, 1783, he surrenders up the high commission, with the powers vested in him, to an admiring people. It was now that crowns, scei)tres and sovereignty became valueless and contemptible. — He re- turns ALL to his country — but the glory, and imperishable fame wjjich hovered around his holy person. Of that $e could not divebt himself ; fur it was t!ic irradiated and ini- passioned stamp of immortality, fixed on hfm by Divhvh ty himself. The father could not leave his family without bequeath- ing to them a Covenant, to preserve their Independence and love of country. Hear wliat our venerable father hath said :■— ^< Thero are four things essential to the welfare and existence of tho United States, as an Independent power. 1st. An inilissolublo unioH of the States,, under ona federal head. 2tl. A sacred regard to public justice. 3d. The adoption of a proper peace establishment. 4rth. A pacific disposition among the people, which will induce them to forget their animosities and prejudices. These are the pillars on which the glorious fabric of Gur Independence and National character must be sup-, ported.'' Thus has he lefi a lasting Testament of hi^ wisdoni and l®ve ; and thus has lie in humble imitation of tha Great Architect of the world, delivered to his chosen peo- ple the table of his commandments. He retired hut to re-appear — he obscured himself but to shine again, in re-. doubled and re^lluminated glory. Faithful to his affec- tions — absorbed in the delicaie remembrance of the suffer- ings, the joys and triumphs of his brethren in arms — ^ho convenes them for the last time to receive his paternal pre- cepts — blessing them in humble imitation of the Saviourof the world ; he covers them with benediction and prayer. — His country stood spectators of this sublime and priestly scene, IJniiithis timef grief knew not its dignity, noi' sorrow its silence. Amid the conflict of passion and tempest of tenderness, which swelled his mighty heart, love of country shona in splendid preeminence and state. " Then burst his mighty heart, and in his mantle muffling up his ftea(?enc, who, with our illustrious Hamilton^ possessed an unbounded share of the confidence of their great Chief, the venerable Washing- ton. — Amid those splendid characters, who have given a fame to this country, Knox sustains an important rank. As a testimony of his private M^orth, and public services, he was a confident of the father of our cmintry, in Ids most conflicting trials ; and, on tho institution of the Soci- ety of Cincinnati, he was elected to tho honorable office of Secretary. In the number of departed heroes, wlio contributed greatly to establish our Independence, are the lamented Gates and Lincoln — deservedly enrolled among the most valiant and inflexible of American Patriots. But chiefly thou, Oh Lingan, calls for the trihutary tear. — Aged and infirm, in the service of thy country, *^ thou felVst a glorious martyr. — Covered with military and civic glory —gored with wounds, inflicted by the merciless hands of an infuriated and incenced populace — thy death was glo- rious ; and in the pomp of sacrificial offering, thou hast erected an imperishable naosoleum — thou has left a death- less name. To thy name, Montgomery, a Nation sheds the tear of grateful sorrow. — The Goddess of victory was hovering over thy head, wheu death, envious of the lau- i^elcdj honoM, ^hich awaited the capture of Quebec, ctaBW^ 6d his favorite Son to his boiom. Less glorious, but not less distinguished in the annals of our country, are the names of Wayne, and the intrepid Mercer. These, with the devoted JTorceafer— the gallant Schuyler—ihe intrep- id Pic/jiam— the generous M^Dougal, and the patriotic Chnton—a. distinguished band of warriors have beencalU ed to the arms of death. Encompassed by such a galaxy of splendid geniuses, we might suppose that the glory of the man, whose birth we now celebrate, must have derived some of its lustre from theirs. Although they shone with brilliancy— their splendor was borrowed from that glorious character, a- round which they revolved, like the Planetary Satellites m the Heavens, around the Luminary of light. Of his character, who can speak with justice— of his fame, who can add by eulogy. " The giandeur of antiquity, and the fame of modern greatness, are diminished before Lim." « 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 Heroes of integrity have had their great virtues eclipsed by concomitant vices.— S^f Washington's glory was nev. sr sullied— -his splendor never darkened. In his orbit, his lustre was without spot—without eclipse and without conjunction. Having accomplished the stupendous task assigned him, he toak his flight towards Heaven—