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ADDRESS 
 
 DELIVERED BEFORE THE 
 
 READING ROOM SOCIETY 
 
 ST. MAEY^S COLLEGE, 
 
 Twenty-second of February, 1841. 
 
 B Y HARRY T. HAYS, 
 
 OF MISSISSIPPI. 
 
 BALTIMORE: 
 PRINTED BY JOHN MURPHY, 
 
 146 MARKET STREET. 
 
E2>a 
 
February 22, 1S41. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 We offer you many thanks for the kindness with which you have complied 
 with our request to deliver hefore the Reading Room Society an Address on 
 the birth-day of the Father of our country. 
 
 We cannot give you a better proof of the opinion we have of the ability 
 with which it was delivered, and of the impression which it made on the minds 
 of your hearers, than to say, that we are commissioned by the unanimous voice 
 of the Society to request that you would favor us with a coj)y of it for publica- 
 tion. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 JOHN H. THOMAS, 1 
 
 WM. C.SHAW, Jr. [c^^uee. 
 
 B. RODRIGUEZ, ( 
 
 H. DESOBRY, J 
 
 To THE Committee. 
 
 February 23, 1S41. 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 In furnishing you with a copy of the Address delivered yesterday, I take 
 this opportunity of returning through you, to the Society which you represent, 
 my sincere thanks lor the honors which they have chosen to confer upon me. 
 I am, gentlemen, with sincere regard, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 HARRY T. HAYS. 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 Gentlemen and Fellow Students : 
 
 In accepting the pleasing task which your kindness has 
 imposed upon me, 1 cannot but feel embarrassed, from a deep 
 sense of my inability to address you in a manner suitable to so 
 august an occasion, or adequately expressive of the feelings 
 which it is so eminently calculated to inspire. The practice of 
 celebrating this day in a particular manner, has been sanctioned 
 by the unanimous voice of the American people ; nor need I 
 undertake to show you that such celebrations tend to perpetuate 
 a familiar knowledge of the means by which our country was 
 erected into a republic ; to inspire us with a true love of liberty 
 and a jealous care of our republican institutions. Festive days 
 in honor of heroes have been celebrated by all nations and 
 throughout all ages, and the fruits arising from their observance 
 are manifold and rich. They carry us back to the days on 
 which the glorious deeds which we celebrate were performed. 
 The virtues which time in its rapid march, perhaps in some 
 degree shrouded in the mists of the past, are brought fresh to our 
 melnory. Our souls hold communion with the best spirits of 
 other days; we catch the impulse which stimulated them to 
 deeds of worth, and resolve to imitate the nobleness of their 
 example. 
 
 Glancing at the records of the past, we behold, in the warmth 
 of our admiration, innumerable examples of the statesman and 
 soldier crowned with honor and trumpeted by fame ; but history 
 does not produce a single example of a subject so worthy the 
 gratitude and honors of his countrymen, or of mankind at large, 
 as the individual whose virtues we are this day assembled to 
 commemorate. The name of Washington has gone forth to 
 every nation ; his virtues have become the theme of every tongue, 
 and in his life all may find a model for fearless and proud 
 imitation. No longer are his countrymen permitted to claim 
 him as their exclusive property. His character is the common 
 
b A D D R T<: S S . 
 
 inheritance of all mankind. Have we not then reason to rejoice, 
 gentlemen, that it was our own beloved country which gave birth 
 to a man whose fame has rolled even beyond the limits of civili- 
 zation ? that it was for our sake (hat these almost super-human 
 virtues were exercised r Where is the American whose bosom 
 beats with the transports of patriotism, who will not with rapture 
 avow that he has many causes to rejoice, that his is the proud 
 prerogative of being styled the son of Washington ? Our grati- 
 tude, great as it may be, must necessarily fall far short of his 
 real merit. He gave us the most valuable treasure that a nation 
 can possess. He gave us that for the attainment of which thou- 
 sands of heroes have poured out their blood ; that which millions 
 have desired, but few have dared to assert, and fewer still have 
 obtained. In a word, he gave us our freedom; he gave us a 
 republic which has stood whilst th. rones have been overturned, 
 sceptres broken and empires prostrated in the dust; a republic 
 whose star-spangled banner floats triumphant over sea and land, 
 whose dominion extends from the Northern Lakes to the Gulf of 
 Mexico — from the Atlantic to the far Pacific. Yes, gentlemen, 
 this country which less than a century ago, was but an humble 
 colony of England, can now vie with that proud people in the 
 ubicjuity of their commerce, and the glory, if not the usurpation 
 of their arms. In our ports we are struck with the beauty of 
 the prospect. Our bays are chetjuered with the vessels of all the 
 civilized nations of the earth ; their sails whiten our waters and 
 their unfurled flags sport with delight in the breeze which is 
 wafted from the shores of a happy and independent people. 
 Through every sea 
 
 " Our merchant now pursues his gain, 
 And roams securely over the boundless main." 
 
 I may revert for a moment to the glory of our arms, and the 
 more gladly, because it is a glory not won by invasion nor by 
 conquest, but by resistance upon our own soil, as brave men in 
 a righteous cause. The theme has been familiar to us since our 
 childhood. Often has " narrative old age" beguiled the tedious 
 hours of a winter eve by recounting to an infantine group, the 
 exploits and the triumphs of their worthy sires. Those heroes 
 Avlu) have lingered are fast departing fiom amongst us, but their 
 memories shall not sink with them into the silent tomb. Annu- 
 
• ADDRESS. 7 
 
 ally shall we assemble to proclaim to an admiring world, the 
 bravery of that immortal phalanx; annually, hand in hand shall 
 we approach the consecrated altars of Liberty to lay thereon our 
 hallowed offerings. As each returning year ushers in this festive 
 morn, spreading before our fancy the historic virtues of the great 
 and good, our hearts glowing with enthusiastic emotions, shall 
 swell the joyous outbursts of a nation's gratitude and make the 
 air resound with the sainted name of Washington. To all the 
 world we shall pass as our watchword the name of him, who 
 towering far above the boldest leader of any Macedonian cohort, 
 is proclaimed in simple, but comprehensive praise, — "first in 
 war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen." 
 
 Never can we sufficiently admire Washington's bravery and 
 skill in battle, his wisdom and prudence in council, or his devoted 
 and unflinching patriotism whether in war or peace. When the 
 dark cloud of the revolution overshadowed our country ; when 
 war desolated the fairest portions of her soil, and drenched her 
 fields in blood ; when her hardy yeomanry, trembling for the 
 liberty, which they ever guarded with jealousy, left the peaceful 
 ploughshare to meet the invading foe and repel him from their 
 shores ; then it was that a man of bravery, prudence and wisdom, 
 was required to lead them to the assault, and direct the force of 
 their arms. The period was a fearful one. It was easily fore- 
 seen that the struggle would be long and bloody. The enemy 
 had all the requisites for a protracted contest, whilst our brave 
 ancestors were utterly destitute. No arms had they — no ammu- 
 nition — no regular drilled forces ; in fine, nothing but the will 
 and determination "to do or die." At this doubtful crisis, when 
 the prayers of desponding thousands reached the ear of Omnipo- 
 tence, a heated fancy might almost imagine, that the Angel of 
 Liberty, descended through the clouds which overhung our 
 horizon and placed the wreath upon the brow of our Washing- 
 ton, bidding the heaven-guided hero to battle in the just cause 
 of his country, trusting in the indignation of a young but gigantic 
 people, led on to victory by the God of Battles. Then it was 
 that hurling our memorable declaration at the tyrants who would 
 have ground us to the dust, our illustrious hero summoned the 
 oppressors to the arbitrament of our wrongs, and the full and 
 triumphant overthrow of British domination, struck down the 
 abuses of the past and placed upon an immoveable foundation 
 
8 ADDRESS. 
 
 the inalienable rights of man. It is not my intention to recount 
 the various fortunes, trials and difficulties attending our great 
 struggle for independence. The rehearsal of these sublime, but 
 sometimes doleful scenes, is unnecessary. The history of our 
 country tells us, that Washington was the soul of the revolu- 
 tion ; that its darkest periods could not depress his spirit or 
 unnerve his energy; and that the result upon vv^hich depended 
 the happiness or misery of millions, was owing to his undaunted 
 courage, prompt skill and unerring judgment. Numerous and 
 striking examples might be adduced, illustrative of Washing- 
 ton's military character, his patience, his foresight, his fortitude 
 and greatness of soul. It will suffice however to allude to the 
 battle of Trenton, inasmuch as the circumstances which sur- 
 rounded and accompanied it, placed it high, as an achievement, 
 over the most brilliant struggles of numbers and chivalry. This 
 victory obtained after so many hardships, difficulties and dangers, 
 seemed to give a fresh impulse to the dying energies of the revo- 
 lution, and Washington then saw through the mist which ob- 
 scured our liberties, a light in heaven prognosticating by its 
 brilliancy, the future glory and power of his country. When 
 we consider the deserted and hopeless condition to which the 
 American army was reduced on that occasion ; when we picture 
 to ourselves that gallant little band of half-starved and half-naked 
 soldiers, at the dark hour of midnight contending with the ice of 
 the Delaware and the fury of the heavens, which poured upon 
 them their mingled volumes of snow, hail and rain — then march- 
 ing barefoot upon the cold and frozen ground to drive a haughty 
 foe from his place of imagined security, our hearts are filled with 
 sentiments of tlie deepest respect and veneration, for those who 
 thus freely braved the greatest perils to secure their country's 
 freedom, and for the mighty spirit which directed and sustained 
 their zeal and valor. It is almost impossible to trace their noble 
 deeds of daring and the perseverance with which they followed 
 their leader, as he, at one time, encourages their sad hearts with 
 words of consolation ; at another stands between them and the 
 uplifted weapon of his enem}^ — now stopping to administer the 
 last solace to the expiring patriot, now flying to the rescue of his 
 friends and disputing every inch of ground which fair freedom 
 claims as her own. 
 
 I need not recount to you the tlirilling incidents of Princeton, 
 
ADDRESS. 9 
 
 Monmouth and Brandywine; nor need I conduct you in imagi- 
 nation through the blood-stained field, that you may yourselves 
 hear the din of war and the clash of arms. All this you have 
 learned from grateful tradition and the faithful pen of the histor- 
 ian. Peace now stretches her pinions over our happy land. Our 
 Hero led us to the field of Yorktown, where the blood of the 
 brave sealed our independence. He dispelled the cloud that 
 darkened every prospect and struck off the fetters from the arms 
 of the sons of liberty. All is peace ! No more do you hear the 
 terrific war-whoop. No longer do you see " the savage hell- 
 hounds of horrid war," urged on by their scarcely less unfeeling, 
 though christian allies, raise in their vengeance, the fatal toma- 
 hawk over the heads of the unoffending wife and infant. Yes, 
 our land is free — 
 
 " From end to end, from cliff to lake 'tis free ! 
 Free as our torrents are that leap our rocks. 
 And plough our valleys, without asking leave ; 
 Or as our peaks tliat wear their caps of snow. 
 In veiy presence of the regal sun!" 
 
 But, gentlemen, in discharging the duties of this day, let us 
 pay a passing tribute of respect to the memory of those whose lot 
 it was to fall, ere they saw the sun of liberty shedding its bril- 
 liant light over America, for they claim union of hearts with 
 their commander. Illustrious men! though an untimely death 
 prevented you from beholding the picture of happiness, one day 
 to be enjoyed by your more fortunate companions, still you live 
 in our hearts, and your names will be handed down with rever- 
 ence to an admiring posterity. Yes, you will live in our hearts, 
 and your actions and virtues will never cease to claim from all 
 Americans a grateful remembrance. Bunker Hill and Saratoga, 
 Camden and Eutaw, Yorktown and the Cowpens, will always 
 recall by the mention of them, thoughts of the good men and true, 
 who went there to an untimely rest, and of the days in which the 
 very youth, whose strength was scarceh' equal to the task of 
 handling the musket, swore by the patriotic blood which flowed 
 from the wounds of those veterans, to avenge the wrongs of 
 Liberty and of themselves. They died, but their last words 
 were the words of freemen — encouraging, ere they sunk into 
 their eternal sleep, their friends who surrounded them, to go on 
 
 B 
 
10 ADDRESS. 
 
 and battle in their country's cause. Their last breath was spent 
 in humble supplications to the throne of mercy, for a successful 
 issue. Heaven proved propitious, and smiled on the virtuous 
 efforts of Washington and the brilliant constellation of heroes 
 that remained. Success crowned their glorious undertaking, and 
 tyranny was humbled. Then it was that the American eagle 
 soared triumphant ; then were we called upon to love our coun- 
 try, because she had gained what was worthy of our love. 
 
 There is something so grateful in the duty of rendering justice 
 to the m.emory of good men, whose lights were extinguished in 
 the blood of the battle-field, where they stood firm for the right, 
 that I might go on, connecting with the praise of Washington, 
 homage to his departed associates. But it is unnecessary to follow 
 him and them farther in their military career. Already have we 
 seen our little bark ride triumphant o'er the billows of the stormy 
 ocean, and bid defiance to England's prowess. We have seen 
 our gallant leader spurn her power, and raise in triumph the 
 standard of liberty — the idol of every just man's heart. Let us 
 now view him in the character of a statesman. Here we are at 
 once struck with his devotion to the interest, the union and the 
 harmony of the youthful republic. His active and untiring dis- 
 charge of all the duties imposed upon him by his country; his 
 tender care for her future happiness and prosperity ; and above 
 all, the bright and unaffected examples which he has left of the 
 impartiality with which he administered justice to all, are too 
 deeply impressed upon the memory of his grateful sons, to be 
 ever forgotten. Indeed, the course which he pursued in his 
 political life could not fail to command and win the confidence 
 of his countrymen. His actions were ever open to scrutiny ; and 
 as no fear of censure could prevent him from publishing his 
 opinions, so likewise no measures were ever proposed by him, 
 with the view of serving any party purpose, but from a deep 
 conviction that they were sound in principle and were calculated 
 to promote the true and lasting welfare of his country. Through- 
 out his whole political career, his course was characterized by a 
 decided, independent and manly tone. His countrymen could 
 not mistake his views. They trusted to the sincerity of his 
 motives and the vigor of his judgment ; his final decisions always 
 bearing the impress of consummate prudence. After having thus 
 served his country for forty-five years, in the capacity both of a 
 
ADDRESS. 11 
 
 soldier and a statesman, with an unblemished character, he sought 
 in the bosom of his family, that sweet repose which he had so 
 long desired, but which his patriotism had not yet permitted him 
 to enjoy. And even to his residence upon his own beloved 
 Mount Vernon, he was followed by all the gratitude, veneration 
 and love, that a devoted country could bestow on one of whom 
 she was so justly proud, and whom she loaded with all her 
 honors. If we accompany Washington to his retirement, we 
 shall not find less to admire in his private than in his public life. 
 If in the one he was firm, untiring and independent, in the other 
 he was affable, courteous and dignified. As the head of a family, 
 he was mild and affectionate ; as a friend, true and faithful ; and 
 to his many other brilliant qualities we may add, that he was a 
 christian — fervent without fanaticism, and illustrating his princi- 
 ples by his practice. Such were the qualities constituting the 
 greatness of that illustrious man — the most illustrious, unques- 
 tionably, who ever did exist, and of whom, perhaps, it has been 
 as truly as beautifully said by a writer: "That nature threw 
 away the mould in which she made her Washington." Gentle- 
 men, all that was perishable of our Washington has long since 
 shared the common lot of man, and his unsullied spirit has 
 winged its way to the mansions of reward and repose. Not 
 content with bequeathing to us his virtues and his fame as a 
 legacy, ever remembered and ever instructive, his patriotism 
 induced him to leave behind him a written transcript of his wis- 
 dom. To that as to the enduring echo of a mighty voice which 
 is silent, statesmen of all nations and of all times to come, may 
 hearken with pleasure and instruction. Among the many salu- 
 tary counsels which he has left in that sacred legacy, there is 
 none which he would have more lastingly impressed upon our 
 minds, than the great importance of the national union to the 
 permanent happiness of the republic. The union he has repre- 
 sented as the solid foundation upon which rests our prosperity, 
 our happiness and our liberty. Separate the North from the 
 South — the East from the West, and the proud fabric which 
 liberty has erected, must crumble to the dust, and in its stead 
 will rise the gorgon horror of despotism. A government founded 
 upon principles similar to ours, and extending over a tract of 
 territory so immense, must have all its parts closely linked to- 
 gether ; it must stand firm and unshaken by the winds of jea- 
 
12 ADDRESS 
 
 f lousy, or the country \\ hicl) it is ilesiuned to bless must fall from 
 
 ;' the eminent condition in which you now behold her, and give 
 
 !" room for the enemies of free principles to rejoice at her over- 
 
 throw and scofl' at the ignorance of her rulers. Nor, gentlemen, 
 were the ever watchful eyes of Washington closed even to the 
 \ future storms that might darken her prospects. He scanned the 
 
 i . various clouds which overhung her, and wept to see that party 
 
 ; spirit might prove her greatest enemy ; that it might ruffle the 
 
 I ocean as yet calm, and dash upon its roaring surge the bark of 
 
 I Liberty, perhaps to destruction. How far these predictions have 
 
 been verified, you, gentlemen, can see; yes, and see too with 
 emotions too deep to be described. You have but to lament the 
 past and dread the future. 
 
 What mean these crowds that continually throng our streets ? 
 What their shouts and acclamations.'' Gentlemen, they are the 
 demons of America; they are the harbingers of her disunion, of 
 ;. her destruction. They are raising unawares, the axe which must 
 
 1 finally give the deadly blow to their country, by causing the 
 
 , bonds of friendship and feelings of brotherly love to be severed 
 
 and trampled under foot by party spirit. But it may be said 
 these are the shouts of exultation from a true and patriotic spirit, 
 which burns within the bosoms of our citizens. Would that it 
 were so ! Would that their shouts were those of a free and vic- 
 torious people exulting in the downfall of foes. But, gentlemen, 
 they are actuated bv otlier motives ; thev are hurried on by love 
 of gain ; they are grasping at laurels, not green but golden ; at 
 ' offices, not praise ; at the pillage of the camp, instead of the 
 
 glory of triumph. Let us cease to waste our strength in our 
 ( own destruction ; let us look abroad on the distant shores of the 
 
 Atlantic, and find a subject of warning. Cast your eye on Eng- 
 I land. Can your gaze rest upon that haughty power with forget- 
 
 i fulness of her constant aggressions? See with what contempt 
 
 she spurns our power and tramples under foot our sovereign 
 i , rights. See the flames of the Caroline ascending towards the 
 
 ' heavens, and listen to the groans of our dying citizens. Is this 
 
 a sight to meet the eyes of freemen ? Is it a sight on which we 
 should gaze with a mild countenance and a heart unheated by 
 ^ the desire of redress ? No, gentlemen, it is not. The course of 
 
 ; England is fast passing the bounds of toleration. It must be 
 
 checked, or the very heart of our country has reason to tremble. 
 
ADDRESS. 13 
 
 In direct opposition to all right, she has one hand on California — 
 the other on the Oregon territory. She styles herself the mis- 
 tress of the seas, and claims it as her regal prerogative to search 
 our vessels on the coast of Africa. She has even dared to take 
 and set free our slaves cast by tempests on the shores of Ber- 
 muda; she is now endeavoring to introduce the cotton trade into 
 the East Indies, to the prejudice of our southern planters. And 
 what are her motives for thus acting ^ They are to crush our 
 power and grasp at our resources as her prey, when she shall 
 imagine success beyond a doubt. How long are we to suffer 
 this? Do we wait for new aggressions.^ We have now suffi- 
 cient cause to feel that it becomes us to be united — in fact, the 
 voice of prudence demands it. So long as we can with honor 
 preserve peace, let us do so. But when the honor of our coun- 
 try demands our arms, we should hearken to her call, and spurn 
 that spirit of party prejudice whicii would close our ears against 
 it. 
 
 Among other topics recommended to our consideration, Wash- 
 ington has inculcated in the strongest language, the dilFusion of 
 general knowledge — a subject, fellow students, which elicits 
 your most serious attention, especially in the stage of life through 
 which you are now passing. You may, some of you, be called 
 to the arduous yet honorable duty, of legislation ; all of you, at 
 any rate, must take part in the choice of your rulers. Lay now 
 a solid foundation in science, upon which you may hereafter erect 
 wise and just laws to guide your country and build up your own 
 fame and fortune. Bear in mind that those who now stand first 
 in our government, and whose sole thought should be its v/elfare, 
 must pass away. Tliey must leave their country to you, when 
 they set out on the inevitable voyage to another. Who will 
 then direct our state .^ Fellow students, they gaze on you. 
 They look upon the educated youth of this country as those who 
 are to fill their stations when they are no more ; as tiiose who are 
 to guide their country safely and quietly, preserving our liberty 
 and following the example of him who gave it to us. Let not 
 their just hopes be blasted, and remember, in the cultivation of 
 your minds and hearts, that you have a bright destiny in vour 
 own hands. 
 
 One word before concluding. — It is a matter of no little regret 
 that the bones of tlie illustrious Washington should be suffered 
 
14 ADDRESS. 
 
 to remain in the obscure place in which they now lie. Not long 
 since we regarded with unfeigned interest, the removal of the 
 remains of Napoleon from the island of St. Helena. A feeling 
 of pride seemed to pervade our bosoms when reading of the joy of 
 the French at again beholding their long lost emperor, and the 
 enthusiasm of the guard which tore away the pall that covered 
 the body of their beloved general. Well did Louis Philippe 
 know, that the barren isle of St.Helena was too small to contain 
 the relics of a hero, whose march all Europe could scarce resist; 
 and with an impulse, perhaps founded upon policy, he resolved 
 to accord a new tomb and funeral honors to France's only 
 emperor. What has been the result? Millions of Frenchmen 
 now yield to Louis a homage which they never would otherwise 
 have paid him, and prayers without number ascend to the throne 
 of heaven in behalf of the citizen king. In this act of the 
 French there is certainly nothing exceptionable. For although 
 Napoleon may have been, in the opinion of some, an usurper and 
 a tyrant ; and although he sought only to gratify his own ambi- 
 tion, reckless of the ruin and desolation that followed — still was 
 he that miglity genius who made France what she was — the 
 terror of the world. It was he who at the head of her armies, 
 conquered nations, disposed of crowns and left a record of her 
 greatness for ever to the continent which trembled and smarted 
 under his sway. 
 
 But if Napoleon be deserving of a people's remembrance and 
 admiration, what is not due to that man, who was as far above 
 Napoleon as the sun is above the earth ? In Washington are 
 found combined, the qualities of the general, the statesman and 
 the christian — the mind and the heart cultivated and developed 
 in beautiful parallel and proportion. He gave honor to the 
 United States, to the people freedom and happiness. Napoleon 
 acquired glory for the French name and extended the boundaries 
 of his empire ; but his march was marked out by the smoking 
 ruins of nations and cursed by the conscripts whom he had 
 dragged from their peaceful homes, to be played with as the 
 "bloody dice" of his unhallowed game ; the proudest monuments 
 of the arts and sciences were crushed or pillaged before his tri- 
 umphant standard; and the shrieks of helpless thousands pub- 
 lished to the world the story of their wrongs and his oppression. 
 It was his downfall, not his will, which restored the spoils to the 
 
ADDRESS. 15 
 
 rightful owners, and gave the fettered nations an opportunity to 
 burst the bonds, which as a conqueror he had riveted upon them. 
 The American gave liberty to his country, and extended its 
 limits so that two oceans wash its shores ; yet in the accomplish- 
 ment of all this, he gained the admiration of nations, both for his 
 honor and his justice. His footsteps were followed by gladness, 
 for he came to deliver, not to destroy. His path was that of the 
 sunbeam, which lights and fructifies and blesses, not that of the 
 lightning which glares but to consume. His death in the midst 
 of his country's love, cemented more firmly the union to which 
 he had given existence, and though he loosed the bonds of no 
 other people, he set a glorious example to the oppressed. Great 
 in his public career, great in the private walks of life, in every 
 action the philanthropist and the patriot, he died as he had lived 
 — his light sinking behind the horizon, but not extinguished. 
 Such then, are the leading characteristics of these two men. The 
 French have deemed tiieir chieftain worthy of the greatest honors. 
 Will not the sons of America manifest their gratitude also ? 
 The name of Washington is indeed engraved in indelible cha- 
 racters on the heart of every true American ; and it can never 
 be effaced : but still a visible monument should be erected to his 
 honor. Let us hope that ere long the good people of this country 
 will exert themselves for the promotion of this design. For him 
 and his name it can do nothing. Time, when he lays his hand 
 upon the marble which will crumble beneath his touch, will drop 
 his scythe from the vain labor of cutting down the remembrance 
 of the virtues which make the marble holy. To ourselves, how- 
 ever, we owe it as a nation, that the capital which bears the 
 name of Washington, should be consecrated by a testimonial of 
 our gratitude and reverence. Let the vigorous hand of our 
 republic gather the stones of a pyramid together, and over the 
 ashes of her Father — "let it rise; let it meet the sun in his 
 coming; let the first rays of morning gild it, and parting day 
 linger and play on its summit." 
 
FOUNDERS or THE SOCIETY. 
 
 W. A. BLENKINSOP, Irela7icL 
 
 W. H. THOMAS, Maryland. 
 
 GEORGE D. COAD, 
 
 P. F. COMBS, 
 
 W. M MERRICK, 
 
 COR. COMBS, 
 
 H. C.NELSON, 
 
 D. A. SMITH, 
 
 J. F. MERCER, 
 
 G. J. WHELAN, 
 
 WILLIAM BENNETT, 
 
 J. H. WILLIAMS, 
 
 E. J.ELDER, 
 
 C. B. LAFITTE, 
 
 CHARLES DIGGES, 
 
 Y. C. ROCKHILL, Pennsylvania. 
 
 A. C. ROCKHILL, 
 
 S. LEWIS, 
 
 L.LEWIS, 
 
 W. H. DRAYTON, S. Carolina. 
 
 H. RIDGELY, Delaware. 
 
 J. C. DEVEREUX, New York. 
 
 P. R. DAVIS, N. Carolina. 
 
 A. DALLA COSTA, S. America. 
 
 R. B. HOOKE, Mississippi. 
 
 M.J. HOOKE, 
 
 J. D. NICHOLSON, Louisiana. 
 
 J. W. MILLER, 
 
 ^^S--. 
 
 * 
 
 I 
 
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