lled to abandon
her pacific policy, and to risk the doleful casualties of
war--what limit is there to the extent of our loss? None
within the reach of my words to express; none which your
feelings will not disavow.

"The founder of our federate republic, our bulwark in war,
our guide in peace, is no more! Oh, that this were but
questionable! Hope, the comforter of the wretched, would
pour into our agonizing hearts its balmy dew; but, alas!
there is no hope for us. Our Washington is removed for ever!
Possessing the stoutest frame and purest mind, he had passed
nearly to his sixty-eighth year, in the enjoyment of high
health, when, habituated by his care of us to neglect
himself, a slight cold, disregarded, became inconvenient on
Friday, oppressive on Saturday, and, defying every medical
interposition, before the morning of Sunday, put an end to
the best of men. An end did I say? His fame survives,
bounded only by the limits of the earth and by the extent of
the human mind! He survives in our hearts, in the growing
knowledge of our children, in the affections of the good
throughout the world; and, when our monuments shall be done
away--when nations now existing shall be no more--when
even our young and far-spreading empire shall have
perished--still will our Washington's glory unfaded shine,
and die not, until love of virtue cease on earth, or earth
itself sink into chaos.

"How, my fellow-citizens, shall I single to your grateful
hearts his pre-eminent worth? Where shall I begin in opening
to your view a character throughout sublime? Shall I speak
of his warlike achievements, all springing from obedience to
his country's will--all directed to his country's good?

"Will you go with me to the banks of the Monongahela, to see
your youthful Washington supporting, in the dismal hour of
Indian victory, the ill-fated Braddock, and saving, by his
judgment and by his valor, the remains of a defeated army,
pressed by the conquering savage foe? Or, when oppressed
America, nobly resolving to risk her all in defence of her
violated rights, he was elevated by the unanimous voice of
Congress to the command of her armies, will you follow him
to the high grounds of Boston, where, to an undisciplined,
courageous, and virtuous yeomanry,