Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1885 — TALLEST IN THE WORLD. [ARTICLE]

TALLEST IN THE WORLD.

*he Great Monument at Washington to the Father of His Country. ompletion and Formal Dedication of the Colossal Marble and Granite Shaft. inposing Ceremonies, Interesting Inci- ' dents, and Eloquent Addresses by Distinguished Orators. After a century of agitation, and thirtyaven years since the corner-stone was id, the national monument to George Washington—the loftiest stiucture ever Jared by human hands—is at last comleted, and on Saturday, Feb. 21, it was edicated with appropriate and imposing eremonies. W. W. Corcoran, the Washigton banker, made the formal "presentaon, and President Arthur the speech of itoeptance. There was a procession, with ten. Sheridan as Chief Marshal, which ■•as reviewed by the President. In the alls of Congress the oration of Robert C. Winthrop was read by Representative John >. Long, and John W. Daniel, of Virginia, elivered an eloquent address.

THE DEDICATION.

Exercises at the Monument. 'Despite the boreal blast that swept over the ity, says a Washington corresjiondent, and the Iscomforts attending the out-door exercises, le great Washington Monument was dedlated with all of toe intended pomp, and with ttle less than the anticipated enthusiasm. Pennylvania avenue W'as festooned and garlanded dth bright bunting and national emblems until i seemed arched with a compact mass of eautifully blended colors. At an early hour le shivering spectators began to arrive at le grand stand, just in the shadow of the lonument, the first to claim a seat being Ebenzer Burgess Ball, of Loudon County, Va., a lember of the Washington family. There were present of the descendants and elatives ot Washington: Mrs. Lewis Washingon, vice-regent for Virginia in the Mount Verdn Association; her step-son, J. B. Washingon, Pittsburg; Mrs. B. B. Washington and AUghter, Frederick County, W. Va.; Miss Eliza Washington, Charlestown, W. Va.; Col. Thornon Washington, Texas; Bushrod C. Wa«hingon and 8. W. Washington, Charlestown,W.Va.; tobert Washington, Westmoreland County. Va.; eorge Washington, Jefferson County, W. Va.; rs. L. Montgomery Bond, Elizabeth, . J., a great-grand niece of Washington; Miss irg nia Mitchell, Charlestown, W. Va.; Miss iaiborne, Richmond, andMr.Myrvin C. Buckey, Washington. At 11 Senator Sherman, Chairman of the Joint ongressional Commission, called to order the 00 people who had assembled at the center tand. “The commisson authorized by the two houses f Congress to provide suitable ceremonies for le dedication ot the Washington monument," e began, “directed me to preside. I need not ay anything to impress upon you the ignity of the event you have met to elebrate. The monument speaks for itself, imple in form, admirable in proportions, omposed of enduring marble and granite, esting upon foundations broad and deep, it ises into the skies higher than any work or hulan art. It is the most imposing, costly, and ppropriate monument ever erected in honor of ne man. It had its origin in the i rofound coniction of the people, irresiective of party, reed, or race, not only in this country, but in 11 the civilized countries, that the name and Ime of Washing.on should be perpetuated bv most imposing testimonial of the nation’s ratitude to its hero, statesman, and father.” ■enator Sherman recounted the history of the rork from its Inception and concluded with the emark that the monument would stand “a proptype of purity, manhood, and patriotism for Il lands and all time." Prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Luter, of Ihrist’s Church, Alexandria, Va. In closing a sngthy address the Hon. W. W. Corcoran said: t is glory enough for the Washington fonment Society that its pious labors, s put to the proof of time, have ssued in the majeststc structure which tends before us to-day, and it is glory enough or the legislative and ex :cuti ve departments of le government that in assuming and directing he completion of the monument, on the foundtion laid by the people, thev have at once releemed a sacred national duty by giving to this reat obelisk the culmination and crown with toich it towers above the earth, and soars heavenward, like the fame it commemorates. The formal presentation to the General Government was made by Col. Thomas L. Casey, of he United States Engineer Corps. After glvig a detailed description of the construction io said: ; Although the dimensions of the foundation ase were originally planned without due reard to the tremendous forces to be brought ito play in building so large an obelisk, the esources of modern engineering science have applied the means for the completion of the grandest monumental column ever erected in ny age of the world. In its proportions the atios of dimensions of the several parts ot the pcient Egyptian obelisks have been carefully >oilowed, and the entire height has been made ightly greater than ten times the breadth of he base, producing an obelisk that for grace pd delicacy of outline is not excelled by any I the larger Egyptian monoliths, while in digdty and grandeur it surpasses any that can be nen tinned. President Arthur, in accepting the monument, aid: Fellow-Countrymen: Before the dawn of a sentury whose eventful years will soon have aded into the past, when death had but lately obbed this republic of its most beloved and llustrious citizen, the Congress of the United tates pledged the faith of the nation that in his city bearing his honored name, and then, s now, the seat of the General Government, a nonument should be erected to commemorate le great events of his military and political Ife. The stately column that stretches heavenward from the plain whereon we stand bears vitness to all who behold it that the covenant vhich our fathers made their children have ulfilled. In the completion of this great rork of patriotic endeavor there is abunant cause for national rejoicing; for while ■his structure shall endure it shall be to all nankind a steadfast token of the affectionate ind reverent regard in which this people coninue to hold the memory of Washington. Well nay he ever keep the foremost place in the learts .of his countrymen. The faith that never altered, the wisdom that was broader and ieeper than any learning taught in schools, the Xiurage that shrank from no peril and was dismayed by no defeat, the loyalty that kept all •elfish purpose subordinate to the demands of latriotism and honor, the sagacity that dismayed itself in camp and cabinet alike, and, wove all, that harmonious union of moral and ntellectual qualities which has never found its xurailel among men—these are attributes of ihacacter which the Intelligent thought of this' :entury ascribes to the grandest figure of the ast. But other and more eloquent lips than nine will to-day rehearse to you the story of iis noble life and its glorious achievements. To nyself has been assigned the simple and more 'ormal duty, in the fulfillment of which I do low, as President ot the United States, and in >ehalf of the people, receive this monument from he hands of its builder aud declare it dedicated 'rom this time forth to the immortal name and uemnry of George Washington. The Parade. Masonic ceremonies by the Grand Lodge of he District of Columbia then followed, after which the procession was resumed at noon. The nonstec parade was under the command of jieut. Gen. Sheridan. The three divisions were respectively marshaled by Brevet Maj. Gen. L Ayers, U. 8. A.; Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, >f Virginia; and Brevet Maj. Gen. W. W. Judley. The President. with Secreary Frelinghuysen, rode in an open barouche. and was repeatedly cheered along the ine of march. An hour later the pageant was reviewed by the President, Cabinet and mem>ers of the Diptomatio Corps from a stand erectid in front of the east main entrance of the JapitoL In the Capitol. The ceremonies in the Representatives’ Hall >egan at 2 o’clock. About a thousand tioketloldess were admitted. Following prayer Conrressman Long read the prepared address of Robert 0. Winthrop. Mr. John W. Daniel, of Virginia, paid an element tribute to the immortal Washington, at he conclusion of which the assemblage broke ip. In the evening a magnificent display of jyroteohnios appropriately finished the celebraiou. ' _____

MONKMENTAL ELOQUENCE.

Extract from the Oration of Hon. Robert C. WinthrOp. The Character of Washington! Who can detneate it worthily? Who can describe that Mrioeless gift ot America to the world, in terms rtaoh may do it any sort of justice, or afford

any degree of satisfaction to his hearers or to himself? Modest., disinterested, generous, just—of clean hand and a pure heart—seif-denying and selfsacrificing, seeking nothing for himself, declining nil remuneration beyond the reimbursement of his outlays, scrupulous to a farthing in keening his accounts, of spotless integrity, scorning gifts, charitable to the needy, forgiving injuries and injustices, brave, fearless, heroic, with a prudence ever governing his impulses and a wisdom ever guiding his valor—true to his friends, true to his wh le country, true to himself—fearing God, believing in Christ, no stranger to private devotion or public worship, or to the holiest offices of the church to which he belonged, but ever gratefully recognizing a divine aid and direction in all that he accomplished—what epithet, what attribute could be added to that consummate character to commend it as an example above all other characters in merely human history? From first to last he never solicited or sought an office, military or civil Every office stood candidate for him and was ennobled by his acceptance of it. H nors blustered around him as it by the force of “first intention.” Responsibilities heaped themselves on his shoulders as if by the laws of gravitation. They could rest safely nowhere else, and they found him ever ready to bear them all, ever equal to discharge them all. To what is called personal magnetism he could have had little pretension. A vein of dignified reserve, which Houdon and Stuart have rightly made his peculiar characteristic in marble and on canvas, repressed all familiarities with him. His magnetism was that of meritsuperior, surpassing merit—the merit of spotless integrity, of recognized ability, and of unwearied willingness to spend and be spent in the service of his country. That was sufficient to attract irresistibly to his support, not only the great mass of the people, but the wisest and best of his contemporaries in all quarters of the Union, and from them he selected, with signal discrimination, such advisers and counselors, in war and in peace, as have never surrounded any other American leader. No jealousy of their abilities and accomplish meats ever ruffled his breast, and with them he achieved our independence, organized our constitutional government, and stamped his name indelibly on the age in which he lived as the age of Washington I W’ell did Chief Justice Marshall, in that admirable preface to the biography of his revered and illustrious' friend, sum up with judicial precision the services he was about to describe la detail. Well and truly did he say, “As if the chosen instrument of heaven, selected for the purpose of effecting the great designs of Providence respecting this our western hemisphere, it was the peculiar lot of tills distinguished man, at every epoch when the destinies of his country seemed dependent on the measures adopted, to be called by the united voice of his fellow citizens to those high stations on which thesucce s of measures principally depended.” Ido not forget that there have been other men. in other days, in other lands, and in <ur own land, who have been called to command larger armies, to preside over mor: distracted councils, to administer more extended governments, and to grapple with as complicated and critical affairs. Gratitude and honor wait ever on their persons and their names. But we do not estimate Miltiades at Marathon, or Pausanias at Platxa, or Themistocles at Salamis, or Epaminodas at Mantinea or Leuctra. or Leonidas at Thermouil®, by the number of the forces which they led on land or on sea. Nor do we gauge the glory of Columbus by the size of the little fleet with which he ventured so heroically upon the perils of a mighty unknown deep. There are some circumstances which can not occur twice; some occasions of which there canbe no repetition; some names which will always assert their individual preeminence, and wilt admit of no rivalry or comparison. The glory of Columbus can never be eclipsed, never approached, till our new world shall require a fresh discovery; and the glory of Washington will remain unique and peerless until American independence will require to be again achieved, or the foundation of constitutional liberty to be laid anew. »»»»»» A celebrated philosopher of antiquity, who was nearly contemporary with Chnet, but who could have known noihtng of what was going on in Juda, and who, alas! did not always "reck his own rede," wrote thus to a younger friend, as a precept for a worthy life: "Some-* good man must be singled out and kept ever before our eyes, that we mav live as if he were looking on, and do'everything as if he could see it.” Let me borrow the spirit, if not the exact letter, of that precept, and address it to the young men of my country: “Keep ever in your mind and before your mind’s eye the loftiest standard of character. You have it, I need not say, supremely and unapproachably, in Him who spake as never man spake, and lived as never man lived, and who died for the sins of the world. That character stands apart and alone. But of merely mortal man the monument we have dedicated to-day points out the one for all Americans to study, to imitate, and, as far as may be. te emulate. Keep his example and his character ever before your eyes and in your hearts. Live and act as if he were Bering and judging your personal conduct and your public career. Strive to approximate that lofty standard, and measure your integrity and your patriotism by your nearness to it or your departure from it 'The prime meridian of universal longitude, on sea or land, may be at Greenwich or at Paris, or where you will. But the prime meridian of pure, disinterested, patriotic, exalted human character will be marked forever by yonder Washington obelisk!’’ Yes, to the young men of America, under God it remains, as they rise up from generation to generation, to shape the destinies of their country’s future —and woe unto them if, regardless of the great example which is set before them, they prove unfaithful to the tremendous responsibilities which rest upon them! Yet let me not seem, even for a moment, to throw off upon the children the rightful share of those responsibilities which belongs to their fathers. Upon us, upon us, it devolves to provide that the advancing generations shall be able to comprehend, and equal to meet the demands which are thus before them. It is ours it is yours especially. Senators and Representatives—to supply them with the means of that universal education which is the crying want of our land, and without Which any intelligent and snccessful free government is impossible. We are just entering on a new olympiad of our nat'onal history—the twenty-fifth olympiad since Washington first entered upon the administration of our constitutional government The will of the people has already designated under whom the first century of that government is to be closed, and the best hopes and wishes of every patriot will be with him in the great responsibilities on which he is about to enter. No distinction of party or of section prevents our all feeling alike that our country, by whomsoever governed, Is still and always our country, to be cherished in all our hearts, to be upheld and defended by all eur hands. Our matchless obelisk stands proudly before us to-day, and we hail it with the exultations of a united and glorious nation. It may, or may not be proof against the cavils of critics, but nothing of human construction is against the casualties of time. The storms of winter must blow and beat upon it. The action of the elements must soil and discolor it. The lightnings of heaven may scar and blacken it. An earthquake may shake its foundations. Some mighty tornado, or resistless cyclone, may rend its massive blocks asunder and hurl huge fragments to the ground. But the character which it commemorates and illustrates is Secure. It will remain unchanged and unchangeable in all its consummate purity and splendor, and will more and more command the homage of succeeding ages in all regions of theZearth. God be praised, that character is ours forever! John W. Daniel’s Magnificent Apotheosis. Solitary and alone in itsSgrandeur stands forth the character of Washington in history; solitary and alone like some peak that has no fellow in the mountain range of greatness. Tell me, ye who have unrolled the scrolls that bear the records ot the rise and fall of nations—ye before whose eyes has moved the panorama ot man’s struggles, achievements and progression, find you anywhere the story of one whose life work is more than a fragment of that which in his life is set before you? Conquerors who have stretched your scepters over boundless territories; founders of empires who have held your dominions in the reign of law; reformers who have cried aloud in the wilderness of oppression; teachers who have striven to cast down false doctrine, heresy, and schisms; statesmen whose brains have throbbed with mighty plans for the amelioration of human society; scar-crowned vikings of the sea, illustrious heroes of the land, who have borne the standards of siege and battle—come forth in bright array from your glorious sanes, and would ye be measured by the measure of his stature? Behold you not in him a more illustrious and more- venerable presence? Statesman, soldier, patriot, sage, reformer of creeds, teacher of truth and justice, achiever and preserver of liberty—the first of men—founder and savior of his country, father of his people; this is he, solitary and unapproachable in his grandeur. Oh, felicitous providence that gave to America our Washington! High soars into the sky to-day, higher than the pyramids or the dome of Bt. Paul's or St. Peter’s—the loftiest and most imposing structure that man has ever reared—high soars into the sky to where “Earth highest yearns to meet a star," the monument which “We, the people of the United States.’’have uplifted to his memory. It is a fitting monument, more fitting than any statne. For his image could only display him in some one phase of his varied character—as theuwmmander, the statesman, the planter of Mount Vernon, or the thief Magistrate of his

I country. So art has fitly typj.-ed his exalted life in yon plain, lofty shaft. Such is his greatness that cnlv by a symbol could it be represented. As justice must be t blind in order to te whole in contemplation, so I history must be silent that by this mighty sign ! she may disclose the amplitude of her story. I In 1657, while yet "a Cromwell filled the ) Stuart’s throne," there came to Virginia with ! a party of Carlists who had rebelled against him, John Washington, of Yorkshire, Enj gland, who became a magistrate and ■ member of the House of Burgesses, and who distinguished himself in Indian I warfare as the first Col. Washington on this i side of the water. He was the nephew of that Sir Henry Washington who had led the forlorn hope of Prince Rupert at Bristol in 1643, and who, with a starving and mutinous garrison, had defended W< rcester in 164'.), answering all calls for surrender that he “awaited his majesty’s commands." And his progenitors bad for centuries, running back to the Norman conquest, been men of mark and fair renown. Just pride and modesty of individuality alike forbid the seeking from any source of a borrowed luster, and the Washingtons were never studious or pretentious of ancesiial dignities. One hundred and fifty-threq years ago, on the banks of the Potomac, county of Westmoreland, on a spot marked now only by a memorial stone —of the blqod of the people whom I have faintly described—the fourth in descent from the Col. John Washington whom I have named, there was bom a son to Augustine and Mary. Washington. And not many miles above his birthplace is the dwelling where he was reared and.lived, and now lies buried. Borne upon the Ivosom ot that river which here mirrors Capitol, dpme, and monumental shaft, in its seaward flow—the river itself seems to reverse its current and bear us silently into the past. Scarce has the vista of the city faded from our gaze when we behold on the woodland height those swells above the waters—amid walks and gioves and gardens —the white porch ot that old colonial plantation home which has become the shrine of many a pilgrimage. There emerges from the shades the figures of a youth over whose cradle had hovered no star of destiny, nor dandled a royal crown—an ingenious youth, and one who in his early days gave auguries of great powers—the boy whose strong arm could fling a stone across the Rappahannock. The scene changes. Out into the world of strange adventure he passes, taking as naturally to the field and frontier as the eagle to the air. At the age of 21 he is riding from Williamsburg to the French post at Venango, in Western Pennsylvania, on a mission for Gov. Dinwiddle, which requires “courage to cope with savages, and sagacity to negotiate with white men." At 22 he has “fleshed his maiden sword," and heard the bullets whistle and found “something charming in the sound," and soon he is colonel of the Virginia regiment in the unfortunate affair at Fort Necessity, and is compelled to capitulate and retreat, losing a sixth of his command. He quits the service on a point of military etiquette and honor, but at 23 he reappears as volunteer aid, by the side of Braddock, in the ill-starred expedition against Fort Duquesne, and is the only mounted officer unscathed in the disaster, escaping with four bullet holes through his garments, and after having two horses shot under him. Mount Vernon welcomes back the soldier of 27 who has become a .name. Domestic felicity spreads its charms around him with the “agreeable partner” whom he has taken to his bosom, and he dreams of “more happiness than he has experienced in the wide and bustling world.” Already, ere his sword had found its scabbard, the people ot Frederick County had made him their member of the House of Burgesses. And the quiet years roll by. But ere long this happy life is broken. The air is electrical with the currents of revolution. England has launched forth on the fatal policy of taxing her colonies without their consent. Be becomes commander-in-chief of the American forces. After another seven years’ war he is the deliverer of his country. The old confederation passes away. The Constitution is established. He is twice chosen President of the United States, and renounces further service. Once again Mount Vernon’s grateful shades receive him, and there—the world-crowned hero now—becomes aga’n the simple citizen, wishing his fellow-men “to see the whole world in peace, and its inhabitants one band of brothers, striving who could contribute most to the happiness ot mankind”—without a wish for himself, but “to live and die an honest man on his farm.” A~spec of war spots the sky. John Adams calls him forth as lieutenant-general and command-er-in-chief to lead America once more. But the clotid vanishes. Pe ce reigns. The lark sings at heaven’s gate in the fair morn ot the new nat on. Serene, contented, yit in the strength of maa hood, though on the verge of three sco- e years and ten, he looks f o th —the quiet farmer from his pleasant fields, the loving patriarch from his bowers of home,— looks forth and sees the work of his hands established in a free and happy people. Suddenly comes the mortal stroke with severe cold. The agony is soon over. He feels his own dving pulse—the hand relaxes—he murmurs, “It is well;" and’Washington is no more. While yet time had crumbled never a stone, nor dimmed the lustrous surface, prone to earth the mighty column fell. Washington, the friend of liberty, is no more! The solemn .cry filled the universe. Amidst the tears of his people, the bowed heads of kings, and the lamentations of the nations, they laid him there to rest upon the banks of the river whose murmurs were his boyhood’s music-that river which, rising in mountain fastnesses, among the grandest works of nature, and reflecting in its course the proudest works of man, is but a symbol of his history —which, in its ceaseless and ever-widening flow, is but a symbol of his eternal fame. When Marathon had been fought, and Greece kept free, each of the victorious generals voted himself to be first in honor, but all agreed that Miltiades was second. When the most memorable struggle for the rights ot human nature, of which time holds record, was thus happily concluded in the muniment of their preservation, whoever else was second unanimous acclaim declared that Washington was first. Nor in that struggle alone does he stand foremost. In the name of the people of the United States, their President, their Senators, and their Representatives, and their judges do crown to-day with the grandest crown that veneration has ever lifted to the brow of glory him whom Virginia gave to America—whom America has given to the world and to the ages—and whom mankina with universal suffrage has proclaimed the foremost of the founders of empire in the first degree of greatness—whom Liberty herself has anointed as the first citizen in the great republic of humanity. Encompassed by the inviolate seas stands today the American republic which he founded—a free greater Britain—uplifted above the powers and principalities of the earth, even as his monument is uplifted over roof, and dome, and spire of the multitudinous city. Long live the republic of Washington! Respected by mankind, beloved ot all its sons, long may it be the asylum of the poor and oppressed of all lands and religions I Long mav it be the citadel of that liberty which writes beneath the eagle's folded wings: “W e will sell to no man, we will deny to no man, r an,, justice!" ight “ Long live the United States of America. Filled wish the free, magnanimous spirit, crowned by the wisdom, blessed, by the moderation, hovered over by the guardian angel ot Washington’s example, may they be ever worthy in all things to be defended by the blood of the brave who knew the rights of man—may they be each a column, and all together, under the constitution, a perpetual temple of peace, unshadowed by a Ceesar’s palace, at whose altar may freely commune all who seek the union of liberty and brotherhood. Long live our country! Oh, long through the undying ages may it stand, far removed in fact as in space from the old world’s feuds and follies—solitary and alone in its grandeur and its glory, itself the immortal monument of Him whom providence commissioned to teach man the power of truth, and to prove to the nations that their Redeemer llveth. None Taller in the World. Following is a list of cathedrals, pyramids, towers, etc., whose altitude reaches beyond 200 feet: Feet. Pyramid of Cheops, Egypt. 643 Cologne Cathedral. Germany. 641 Antwerp Cathedral, Belgium 476 Strasburg Cathedra), Germany..... 474 Tower of Utrecht, Holland 464 fit. Stephen's, Vienna, Austria 460 Pyramid of Cepiianes, Egypt.... 466 Bt. Martin’s Church, Bavaria 466 St. Peter’s, Rome, Italy 448 Notre Dame, Amiens, France. 422 Salisbury Spire. England <lO St Paul’s. London... 404 Florence Cathedral, Italv 384 Cremona Cathedral, Italy .372 Freiberg Cathedral, Germany 367 Seville Cathedral, Spain. 360 Milan Cathedral, Italy 365 Notre Dame, Bavaria 348 Dome dies Invalides, France 847 Magdeburg Cathedral, Germany 337 St. Patrick’s, New York Oity 828 St Mark’s Church, Venice, Italy 328 Norwich Cathedral, England 303 Chicago Board of Trade 303 Chichester Cathedral, England 300 Trinity Church, New York 288 Canterbury Tower, England ,236 Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris 232 St Patrick’s, Dublin, Ireland 226 Glasgow Cathedral 226 Bunker HUI Monument, Massachusetts 220 Notre Dame, Montreal ; .220 Lima Cathedra), Pern. ..,.220 Garden City Cathedral, Long Island, N. Y.’’2l» SB. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia 210 ' A Providence (IL I.) dog eats hot washed clothes.