ANNIVERSARY ORATION.

DELIVERED

BEFORE THE FACULTY AND STUDENTS

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA,

February «2Sd, 1 §36.

BY RICHARD NEWTON, Jr.
Member of the Senior Class.

Dhflatfelplifa:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 9 LIBRARY STREET.
183G.

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1932

ANNIVERSARY ORATION.
DELIVERED
BEFORE THE FACULTY AND STUDENTS
or THE
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA,
February »»d, 1836.

BY RICHARD NEWTON, Jr.
st*
Member of the Senior Class. '

HftlliiBeljmfa:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 9 LIBRARY STREET.
1836.

University of Pennsylvania, Feb. 23d, 1 836.
Dear Sir, — As a committee of the College Classes, we return you their thanks for the
very eloquent and appropriate oration delivered before them yesterday morning and
request a copy ofthe same for publication. Yours truly,
C. CAZENOVE GARDNER,
GEORGE L. BUZBY,
JOSIAH P. TUSTIN,
EDMUND GRAFF.
RICHARD NEWTON, Jr. Esq.
Philadelphia, Feb. Zith, 1836.
Gentlemen, — I cannot but feel highly honoured sA the favorable manner in which my
fellow students have been pleased to receive the feeble effort of one of their number,
on the 22nd inst. Nothing was farther from my thoughts at the time of preparing
that address, than that it would exist beyond the moment of its birth, or, ever appear
beyond the walls of the hall in which it was delivered.
But as you have been pleased to manifest a desire to the contrary, I feel constrained,
Gentlemen, to yield to your superior judgment, and comply with the wish expressed
in your communication. I am with much Respect, Yours truly, RICHARD NEWTON, Jr.
C. Cazenove Gardner, George L. Buzby,
Josiah P. Tustin, Edmund Graff, Esquires.

ORATION.

Fellow Students,
In rising to address you on an occasion like the present, I
cannot divest myself of feelings of embarrassment. A know
ledge of the inherent fondness of our nature for new objects of
pursuit, and new themes of meditation — a remembrance that
from lisping infancy the history of this day's celebration has been
familiar to all — and a consciousness of my inability to present
aught that has not been already long known, perhaps to every one
who hears me — all combine to increase the embarrassment, and
render less welcome, the otherwise pleasing duty of the speaker.
Were the choice of a subject unrestrained the case would be dif
ferent. The imagination might then take wing, and either by
soaring through the sublimer regions of Philosophy and Science,
or by wandering through the humbler, though not less pleas
ing paths of Literature, might hope to gather something with
whiuh to entertain, if not instruct. As it is, however, I can but
cast myself upon your patience, ftllow students, assured that
however unworthy the honor of addressing you on the return of
this memorable day, and however feeble and unsuccessful the at
tempt may be,a spirit of generous forbearance will be manifested,
and the mantle of charity extended over every imperfection.
Nothing can be more natural and proper than the purpose for
which we are convened to-day. The practice of thus commemo
rating a great event, or perpetuating the memory of those from
whom we have received signal services, comes to us not only re
commended by the plainest principles of common sense, but sane-

tioned also, by the most potent influence of antiquity. It has
ever been the custom of nations. The traveller through our
western wilds finds evidence of this on every hand, in the rising
mounds, and rudely-finished monuments erected by those simple
children of nature, the aborigines of the soil. The martial airs
and minstrel lays of Scotland, the bards and songs of ancient
Britain, the feasts and festivals of Rome, and the mouldering
ruins of Greece, her broken statues, and her prostrate columns,
those mournful relics of her former glory, all bear witness to the
same fact. We are bound by a principle of our nature, as by a
magic power, to revere those in whom we see, or imagine we
see, elements of character, superior to the majority of mankind.
We are instructed too by nature, to cherish that reverence, and
extend the influence of such characters, even after they have
passed away from earth, by recalling from time to time the
remembrance of their actions, by setting before the mind the no
ble principles by which they were influenced, and by portraying
to the imagination the glorious results to which such principles
have led.
The character we are called upon to contemplate to-day, pre
sents us with the choicest elements of greatness, so richly com
bined and so fully developed, that the mind hesitates in its choice,
as undetermined which parts to select for the subject of its me
ditation, to the rejection of the rest. The characters of other
Statesmen and Heroes have received their impress from the pre
dominance of some single excellence.butinhim whose memory we
commemorate, we find embodied in one grand whole, all the no
blest elements of the most exalted greatness. The contemplation
of such a character cannot fail of exciting emotions of the most
pleasing nature. It exalts the mind, and confers an idea of the
superior dignity of our race. This feeling is heightened by the
striking contrast it forms with the very opposite exhibitions of
human character too often falling beneath our observation. We
gaze with delight upon the illustrious being in whom were con
centrated so many and such rare excellencies, and a feeling of
self-complacent satisfaction spontaneously arises in our mind, as
we claim a common nature with him. This emotion is the high-

est possible when in addition to this, we can, as in the present in
stance hail him as our countryman. We are, as it were, identified
with him, when the thought arises that he trod the ground we
tread — he breathed the air we breathe — and cast the broad beam
of his glory upon our name and nation. The pleasure experienced
in the contemplation of such a character, is converted into ad-
. miring wonder, when we view the circumstances of his life, and
observe the surprising fitness of the instrument for the end design
ed to be accomplished. It is the characteristic of a wise mind
that it adapts proper means for the effecting of its plans : and it
is pre-eminently the characteristic of that Infinite Wisdom that
rules and governs all things, that it ever makes choice of the best
means to bring about its own wise purposes. This truth we find
exemplified throughout the realm of nature. We may trace it
from the crawling worm of the dust, or the ephemeral insect that
skims through the air, up to the planets that roll through immea
surable space — and the wondrous laws that hold them in their
courses. Of this same wisdom we behold a remarkable illustra
tion, in viewing the character of Washington. It appears in all
the trying circumstances of his eventful life, and in the admirable
fitness of that great man to accomplish the important work which
Providence had assigned him. And as on the one hand it enlarges
our conceptions of the Author of our being, to witness such match
less displays of his Infinite Wisdom in all the operations ofhis power,
so on the other, it invests the character of our Washington with
the highest dignity, and places it in a peculiarly interesting point
of view, to contemplate him as the object of special interest at
the court of Heaven — and enjoying in an eminent degree the fa
vor and protection of the Ruler of the Universe. It is true that
all experience that preserving to pretecting power to a certain
extent, but it is no less true that instances do occur of more mark
ed and signal interpositions of it. With such instances we are
furnished in the history of Washington. To the attentive exami
ner ofhis early life many examples are presented. I need cite but
one, which occurred when the youthful hero was just entering
into manhood. I refer to the disastrous battle of Monongahela in
1755. Who can follow him through the scenes of that day and

not wonder at the man? Who can imagine him on that bloody bat
tle field, the army panic-struck, dispersed and flying — the officers
killed or wounded; and himself almost the only one uninjured, ex
posed to the very last to the fire of their hidden foe; and yet coming
off unscathed, untouched; who, I ask, can imagine such a scene and
resist the conviction, that it was the shield of Omnipotence which
covered his head in the day of battle — and the wisdom of the
Holy One that was protecting and preparing him for the events
of his after life? " Fifteen years after this event Washington, had
occasion to visit the Western part of the country with a party of
woodsmen for the purpose of exploring wild lands. While near
the junction of the Great Kenhawa and Ohio Rivers, a company
of Indians came to them with an interpreter, at the head of whom
was an aged and venerable chief. This personage made known
to them by the interpreter, that hearing Colonel Washington was
in that region, he had come a long way to visit him, adding, that
during the battle of Monongahela, he had singled him out as
a conspicuous object, fired his lifle at him many times, and direct
ed his young warriors to do tbe same, but to his utter astonish
ment none of their balls took effect. He was then persuaded the
youthful hero was under the special guardianship of the Great
Spirit, and ceased to fire at him any longer. He was now come
to pay homage to the man who was the particular favorite of
Heaven and who could never die in battle."
When the days of sterner trial came, and the clouds of war
and conflict, darkening and mantling, settled on our horizon, we
see the god-like man though beset by treacherous friends and
open enemies, pass safely through the storm.
In the constant scenes of peril and danger that attended the
long and arduous struggle for Independence, he was ever fore
most. Indeed his great readiness to expose himself to every spe-»
eies of honorable danger, was the only complaint ever uttered
by his soldiers against their illustrious chieftain. In a letter writ
ten at this time by an officer who served under him,we find these
words, — " Our army love their General very much,, but they have
one thing against him, viz : the little care he takes of himself in
any action. His personal bravery, and the desire of animating

his troops by example, make him fearless of danger. This occa
sions us much uneasiness. But Heaven, that has hitherto been
his shield, will, we hope, continue to guard a life so valuable."
Thus, whilst we look back with reverence and admiration to
the man who led on our armies to victory, and who subsequently,
with consummate skill guided the ship of state, through the stormsof
adversity, and the dangerous narrows of prejudice and party spirit,
into the clear and open sea of prosperity and peace : we are taught
at the same time to look beyond the instrument to its Author. We
are led to adore the Being who gave strength to the Warrior and
skill to the Pilot — and the wholesome lesson is enforced upon our
minds, that the distinguished privileges and blessings we enjoy
are received directly from the " Giver of all good," and are by
us held only in trust.
But though an instrument in the hands of a Superintending
Providence for the accomplishment of a great and glorious work,
yet few men were ever more emphatically the architects of their
own characters and fortunes, than was General Washington.
He seems early to have adopted the sentiment ofthe Roman au
thor —  " Nil sine magno
Vita labore dedit mortalibus,''
and to have acted upon them through life. Those great and dis
tinguishing qualities which have exalted him above the renowned
of other days and nations, and riveted the gaze of an admiring
world upon him, were not the hot-bed productions ofany fortuitous
concurrence of circumstances, but the legitimate results of the
noblest principles early received, firmly implanted, and persever
ingly followed. We find a consistency in his character through
out, and a natural progressive expansion which fills the mind con
templating it with the most pleasurable emotions. It is as when
one stands upon some mountain side and views a little crystal
fountain that pours perennial waters forth. He follows the wa
ter's course and admires the verdant richness that appears along
its banks, until the purling brook, becomes a flowing stream.
Widening and deepening the stream rolls on, till it spreads itself

into the shoreless ocean — and the mind is lost in wonder as it
dwells upon the vastness of the scene before it.
His early history presents a shining example of filial tenderness
and devotion. It had been the first and most cherished object of
his desire to enter the navy of his country, and try his fortune
amid the perils of the deep. This early predilection, had so
" grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength" as
almost to become a passion, the ruling passion ofhis soul. A situ
ation had even been procured for him, and his young heart was
exulting in the prospect of speedily realizing his fondest hopes,
when, not at the absolute request, but only the scarce uttered wish
of his revered and widowed mother, we find him, without a
murmur, changing entirely the strong current of his purposes,
and nobly sacrificing on the altar of filial duty, the brightest
dreams and expectations of his youth. It has been justly remark
ed that those only are qualified to command, who have first learned
to obey. When we see, then, that the young hero of the western
world had learned the first lesson so well, is it strange that we
should see him practice the after one with such perfection? When
we see him ruling his own spirit with so powerful a sway, can we
wonder to behold him at another time, with the flag of Liberty in
his hand, leading on the bands of freemen to victory and glory?
or again, to see him presiding like a master-spirit in the counsels
of the free, and securing liberty and happiness for millions yet
unborn ?
Another of those strongly marked traits which appears so
conspicuous throughout the character of our Washington, is
his untiring perseverance. This noble virtue cast a priceless
charm over all his other excellencies. It enabled him, when the
rare qualities of his great mind were all condensed, to bend their
united force with untiring purpose upon any object of pursuit —
" It won for him each god-like act, and pluckt success,
Ev'n from the spear proof crest of rugged danger."
It was an early received maxim with him —"To attempt nothing
which he could not perform, but to perform whatever he attempted."
How faithfully he adhered to this maxim, we find, when we see him
at the age of fifteen or sixteen engage in surveying some of the wild-

est portions ofhis native state, and persevering for days and weeks
through hunger, exposure, cold, and storm, till the arduous task
was accomplished. (See note A.) What final success crowned
these early efforts of self-discipline, is already recorded on the
broad page of our country's history. Good was it for the cause
of America, and the liberty of mankind, that in the darkest hour
of trial, when the last faint ray of hope was well-nigh extinguish
ed ; when the sternest cheeks were blanching, and the stoutest
hearts were quailing ; he, on whom all eyes were turned, fainted
not, nor faltered; The Spirit of perseverance cherished from
youth sustained him in that hour of darkness. Its watchful en
ergy continued even then undiminished, and its influence turned
the ebbing tide of fortune, leading to all the glory which followed,
and the rich blessings that crown our happy days.
Another bright gem in the coronet of our great chieftain's glo
ry, a gem too that besides its own intrinsic worth, appears the
more brilliant because so seldom seen, was his entire subjugation
of every selfish feeling and his devotion to his country, solely for
his country's good. We have a noble illustration of this most
excellent and uncommon trait of character during the war with
the French and Indians in the years 1754 and 5. We then find
him leaving his home, at a time when his own private affairs
greatly needed his attention, and willingly undergoing all the
hardships and dangers of a frontier war, and this too not for price
nor reward, but with the fullest understanding, that no recom
pense awaited him, save only the approval ofhis own conscience,
and perhaps in aftertimes the grateful recollection of his coun
trymen. Nor was he always thus consistently patriotic and self-
denying, because there wanted opportunity of exhibiting the op
posite character. Never was military leaders vested with fuller
power, or afforded a greater opportunity of exalting himself, and
not his country, than was our revered Washington. Witness the
time when he was clothed by Congress with all save the empty
name of Dictator. (See note B.) What a period of thrilling interest
was that! Can we imagine it for a moment? The hireling minions
of oppression, like the locusts of Egypt, have overrun the land,
and the deathblow of liberty seems about to be struck. Congress
B

10
is broken up and flying from their council board, approach the
man in whom is centred all their hope. In his single hand they
place the unlimited control of all the strength and resources of
their prostrate, bleeding country. What is the result of this
boundless grant of power? Does it unman the hero's soul?
Moves there a muscle ofhis mildly beaming countenance? Springs
there up a single spark of unhallowed ambition in his pure breast?
Swerves he a hair's breadth from the undeviating, uncompromis
ing path of stern integrity and patriotic duty? No ! it was Wash
ington they trusted; the world can tell how he merited their
trust. Time would fail us even to glance at that bright catalogue of
his excellencies which have so often adorned the poet's verse, and
given sublimity to the happiest efforts of successful eloquence. In
conclusion, however, we cannot but dwell for a moment on that
trait in the character of the American Hero, which rises rain
bow-like aboye the radiance of his other virtues, the spirit of piety
which he always cherished. In these days of open rebuke and
shameless infidelity, when a respect for the sublimest truths of re
velation is too often considered as synonymous with meanness, or
want of spirit, and when the mention of religion is too often the
signal for derision and contempt, it is a relief, it is a pleasure, to
be able to point to such a man as Washington, a man whose name
stands highest on the scroll of fame, and say — There is a man
who never feared to own his dependence on an Almighty arm;
there is a man who was through life an humble worshipper of the
despised Nazarene ! Among the earliest of his papers left on re
cord, is found a set of rules drawn up for the regulation of his
conduct ; of these one runs as follows — " Never speak of God or
of his attributes but with serious reverence, and labor to keep
alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called con
science." The excellent sentiments thus early cherished, were
nurtured to the ripest maturity, and became the governing princi
ples of his conduct through the whole of after life. In the dark
est days of the revolution, when human strength and wisdom fail
ed, he felt his soul " sustained by the unfaltering trust" that a
power Divine was enlisted in his behalf; and it is well known that

11
it was the constant practice of this great man, to retire from the
busy scenes of the camp, and kneeling before the Majesty of
Heaven, implore that guidance and direction of which he felt his
need, and ask for that success which finally crowned his efforts.
In viewing thus the character of him who is justly considered
the pride and glory of his country, we find it composed of ele
ments, simple in their nature, and such as are attainable by all;
and as those qualities which were necessary, in the first instance
to secure our liberty, are exactly such as are now required to per
petuate the same, our duty is plain. The richest, noblest patri
mony ever bequeathed to any people is to be intrusted to our hands.
The brightest example ever displayed before the youth of any na
tion, is held up to our view. And can it be that we shall despise
this example, or abuse that patrimony? O who can tell the bit
terness of the curse, posterity will cast upon our memory, should
we prove recreant to our trust? Let it then be our endeavour to
emulate the virtues of him whose birth we commemorate to-day I
Let his example be our model ; let us walk in his footsteps, and
seek to catch his spirit ! So shall we be prepared to perform with
dignity and with faithfulness the duties we owe to our country —
so shall they who have anxiously watched over our liberties, leave
them with confidence in our keeping — and America shall own us
worthy to be called her sons and the countrymen of Wash
ington.

NOTES

NOTE A.— page 9.

The nature of the service in which he was thus early engaged, may be inferred from
the following extracts, taken, from a rough journal kept by Washington during the
survey, and found among his papers. This survey was made in company with his
relative, Mr. George Fairfax, in March, 174S.
March 13th. — Rode to his Lordship's (Lord .Fairfaxe's quarter.) Aboutfour miles
higher up the river Shenandoah, we went through most beautiful groves of sugar tree
and spent the best part of the day in admiring the trees and the richness of the
land. 14th. — Sent our baggage to Captain Hite's, near Fredricktown (afterwards Win
chester,) and went ourselves down the river about sixteen miles (land exceedingly
rich all the way, producing abundance of grain, hemp and tobacco,) in order to lay
off some land on Caters Marsh and Long Marsh.
15th. — Worked hard till night, and then returned.
18th. — Travelled to Thomas Berwich's on the Potomac, when we found the river
exceedingly high, by reason of the great rain that had fallen among the Alleghanies.
They told us it would not be fordabl'e for several days, it being now six feet higher
than usual, and rising. We agreed to stay till Monday. We this day called to see
the famed warm Springs. We camped out in the field this night.
20th. — Finding the river not much abated, we in the evening swam our horses over
to the Maryland side.
21st. — We went over in a canoe, and travelled up the Maryland side all day in a
continued rain to Colonel Crezap's, over against the mouth of the South Branch,
about forty miles from our place of starting in the morning, and over the worst road
I believe ever trod by man or beast.

14
25th. — Left Crezap's, and went up to the mouth of Patterson's Creek. Swam our
horses over the Potomac, and went over ourselves in a canoe, and travelled fifteen
miles when we camped.
26th. — Travelled up to Solomon Hedge's Esq., one of his Majesty's Justices ofthe
Peace in the county of Frederic, when we camped. When we came to supper, there
was neither a knife on the table, nor a fork to eat with, but, fortunately, we had knives
of oui own.
2Sth. — Travelled up the South Branch (having come to that yesterday,) about
thirty miles.
29th. — This morning wentout and surveyed five hundred acres of land.
30th. — Began our intended business of laying off lots.
April 2nd. — A blowing, lainy night. Our straw upon which we were lying, took
fire, but it was luckily preserved by one of our men awaking when it was in a flame.
We have run off four lots this day.
4th. — This morning Mr. Fairfax left us, with the intention to go down to the mouth
of the river. We surveyed two lots. This day our tent was blown down by the vio
lence of the wind.
6th. — The last night was so intolerably smoky, that we were obliged to leave our
tent to the mercy of the wind and fire.
7th. — We surveyed fifteen hundred acres of land, and returned to Vanmeter's about
one o'clock. I took my horse and went up to see Mr. Fairfax. We slept in C'assey's
house, which was the first i.ight I have slept in a house since we came to the Branch.
8th. — Breakfasted at Cassey's, and rode down to Vanmeter's to get our company
together, which, when we had accomplished, we rode down below the Trough to lay
off lots there. The Trough is a couple of hedges of mountains impassable, running
side by side for seven or eight miles, and the river between them. You must ride
round the back of the mountain to get below them. We camped in the woods, and
after we had pitched our tent, and made a large fire, we pulled out our knapsack to
recruit ourselves. Every one was his own cook. Our spits were forked sticks, and
our plates were large chips. As for dishes we held none.

15

NOTE B.— page 9.
" With all save the empty name of Dictator.''
The following account of the action of Congress, relative to the extraordinary
powers with which Washington was invested, is taken from a volume of " Sparks'
Writings, &c. of Washington.''
'* Notwithstanding the extreme jealousy which had hitherto prevailed with most of
the members of Congress, in regard to the danger of a military ascendency, they were
constrained in the present alarming aspect of affairs to invest General Washington
with very extensive powers. In relation to the army, these powers constituted him in
all respects a Dictator, according to the Roman sense of that term, as will appear by
the proceedings of Congress.
, "December 27th, 1776. This Congress having maturely considered the present
crisis, and having perfect reliance on the wisdom vigor, and uprightness of General
Washington, do hereby
" Resolve, That General Washington shall be, and he is hereby, vested with full,
ample, and complete powers to raise and collect together, in the most speedy and
effectual manner, from any, or all of these United States, sixteen battalions of infan
try, in addition to those already voted by Congress ; to appoint officers for said batta
lions of infantry ; to raise, officer, and equip three thousand light horse, three regi
ments of artillery, and a corps of engineers, and to establish their pay ; to apply to
any of the States for such aid of the militia as he shall judge necessary ; to form such
magazines of provisions, and in such places as he shall think proper ; to displace and
appoint all officers under the rank of brigadier-general, and to fill up all vacancies in
every other department in the American army ; to take wherever he may be, whatever
he may want for the use of the army, if the inhabitants will not sell it, allowing a rea
sonable price for the same ; to arrest and confine persons who refuse to take the conti
nental currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American cause ; and return to the
states of which they are citizens, their names, and the. nature of their offences, togeth
er with the witnesses to prove them. That the foregoing powers be invested in
General Washington, for and during the term of six months from the date hereof, un
less sooner determined by Congress.''
These resolves of Congress, were transmitted to Washington by the committee
who remained in Philadelphia when the Congress adjourned to Baltimore, namely,
Robert Morris, Clymer, and Walton. In their letter they said—
"We find by these resolves, that your Excellency's hands will be strengthened

16
with very ample powers ."and a new reformation of the army seems lo have its origin
therein. Happy it is for this country, that the General of their forces can safely be
mtrusted with the most unlimited power, and neither personal security, liberty, nor
property, be in the least degree endangered thereby."

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