ashes and hurled the thunderbolts of vengeance among their savage foes with the fury of Mars. Every battle weakened and disheartened the enemy when a victory was gained. A few more conquests like those at Camden and Guilford Court House would seal their doom.

The energetic Greene succeeded Gates. The campaign of 1781 opened. Washington moved to the south. Wayne, Lee, Greene, La Fayette, Nelson and other brave officers were there. Count de Grasse was co-operating with his fleet. In their turn the British lords, admirals and generals found themselves surrounded with impending dangers. An awful crisis was pressing upon them. Retribution stared them in the face. Their deeds of blood haunted their guilty souls-consternation seized their troubled minds. Lord Cornwallis concentrated his forces at Yorktown which he fortified in the best possible manner.

On the 6th of October the combined forces of Washington and Rochambeau commenced a siege upon this place which surrendered on the 19th of the same month. The grand Rubicon was passed-the work was done-the Colonies were free. That was the dying struggle of British monarchy in America. Hope of conquering her indomitable sons expired like the death flickering of a glow-worm. Heaven had decreed they should be free-that decree was consummated. Like Jordan's dove, the Eagle of Liberty descended to cheer the conquering heroes-snatched the laurels from Britain's brow and placed them triumphantly upon the CHAMPIONS OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. To the friends of FREEDOM the scene was joyful, sublime-to its enemies-painful, humiliating. This victory was hailed with enthusiastic gratitude. It placed Washington on the loftiest summit of immortal fame-secured Liberty to his beloved country, stopped the effusion of human blood, sealed the foundations of our Republic-prepared an asylum for the oppressed-planted deep the long nursed TREE OF Liberty.

On the 30th of September 1783 a definitive treaty was signed at Paris by Messrs. Fitzherbert and Oswald on the part of Great Britain and Messrs. John Adams, Franklin, Jay and Laurens on the part of the United States. On the 2d of November Washington issued his farewell orders to his army in terms of affectionate eloquence and parental solicitude. On the 3d the troops were disbanded by Congress. With mingling tears of joy and gratitude they parted and repaired finally to their homes to meet the warm embrace, the fervent grasp of their families and friends-there to reap the rich fruit of their perilous toils free from the iron scourge of despotism. On the 23d of December Washington appeared in the hall of Congress and resigned his commission. This act was one of sublimity and thrilling interest. The past, present

and future-all rushed upon the mind of this great and good man as he invoked the blessings of Heaven to descend and guard the Liberty of his beloved emancipated country. Every eye was fixed upon himevery heart beat quicker-emotion rose to its zenith-he laid the commission on the table-a burst.of applause rent the air-a flood of tears closed the scene.

No longer under the maternal care of their old mother, the people of the United States were left to try the yet problematical experiment of self government. Difficulties arose from local jealousies and conflicting interests-a debt of forty millions of dollars had been contractedgovernment paper became greatly depreciated-the public credit was shivering in the wind-the Liberty that had been so dearly purchased seemed doomed to a premature dissolution. To avoid this threatened disaster delegates convened at Philadelphia from all the States except Rhode Island for the purpose of devising a plan to preserve and perfect that freedom which had cost millions of treasure and fountains of noble blood. Washington was unanimously elected President of this august body. After long and patient deliberation the labors of these patriots resulted in the production of the Federal Constitution, one of the brightest specimens of a republican form of government on record. It is the grand palladium of our LIBERTY, the golden chain of our UNION, the broad banner of FREEMEN, a terror to tyrants, a shining light to patriots, the illustrated chart of our rights and duties, a safeguard against disorganizing factions and stamped its illustrious authors with a meritorious fame that succeeding generations will delight to perpetuate.

On the 17th of September this was reported to Congress and was promptly approved. It was immediately sent to the several states for consideration all of which sanctioned it at that time except North Carolina and Rhode Island. The former acceded to it in 1789, the latter in 1790. Confidence was then restored and Independence made secure. From that time to the present our nation has advanced on the flood tide of successful experiment and been blessed with an increasing prosperity that has no parallel in the annals of history. The star spangled banner waves proudly on every sea and is respected by all the nations of the earth. Our improvements at home have marched in advance of the boldest conceptions of the most visionary projectors-the fondest anticipations of their most ardent friends. They have often outstripped the most adventurous speculators.

By the unanimous voice of a free and grateful people Washington was elected the first President of the new Republic. With the same proverbial diffidence and modesty that had marked his whole career he

took the oath of office on the 30th of April 1789. This imposing ceremony was performed in presence of the first Congress under the Federal Constitution assembled in the city of New York and in presence of a crowded audience who deeply felt and strongly expressed their filial affection for the father of their country. He at once entered upon the important duties that devolved upon him which were neither few or small. A cabinet was to be created, a revenue raised, the judiciary organized, its officers appointed and every department of government to be established on a firm, impartial, just and humane basis. In all these arrangements he exhibited great wisdom, exercised a sound discretion and proved as able a statesman as he had been a general. Deliberation and prudence guided him at all times. He acted up to but never transcended the bounds of equal justice and delegated authority. An angel could do no more.

During his administration of eight years he brought into full force his noblest energies to advance the best interests of his country-meliorate the condition of those who were suffering from the effects of a protracted war-improve the state of society, arts, science, agriculture, manufactures-commerce-disseminate general intelligence-allay local difficulties and render the infant Republic as happy and glorious as it was free and independent. His patriotic exertions were crowned with success-his fondest anticipations were realized-he finished the work assigned him with a skill before unknown-the government foundations were laid deep and strong-the superstructure was rising in grandeurWashington wrote his farewell address and on the 4th of March 1797 retired from public life honored and loved by a nation of freemen, respected and admired by a gazing world-crowned with an unsullied fame that will grow brighter and more brilliant through all time. He then repaired to Mount Vernon to repose in the bosom of his family and enjoy that domestic peace by his own fireside that he had long desired. He had served his country long, ably, impartially, justly. He could look back upon a life well spent in the cause of human rights, liberal principles and an enlarged philanthropy.

For his arduous services during the revolutionary war Washington took no compensation. More than this, owing to the depreciation of continental money he paid three-fourths of his own expenses. He kept a correct book entry of every business transaction and produced a written voucher for every disbursement he had made of public funds. During his presidential terms his expenses exceeded his salary over five thousand dollars a year which he paid from his private funds and refused a proffered remuneration. With the exception of his appointment

as commander-in-chief of the American army in 1798 when France threatened invasion, Washington was relieved from any farther participation in public affairs. He continued to live at Vernon's sacred Mount until the 14th of December 1799 when his immortal spirit left its noble tenement of clay-soared aloft on angel wings to realms of enduring bliss there to receive a crown of unfading glory-the reward of a spotless life spent in the service of his country and his God. His body was deposited in the family tomb where it slumbered amidst the peaceful groves of his loved retreat until 1837, when it was deposited in a splendid marble sarcophagus designed by Mr. Strickland and manufactured and presented by John Struthers, marble mason, both of the city of Philadelphia. Upon the top of this masterpiece of workmanship is most exquisitely and boldly carved the star spangled banner surmounted by the American Eagle. Under these the name WASHINGTON is carved in bold relievo. The design and finely finished work do great credit to Mr. Strickland as an architect and to Mr. Struthers as an artist. The gift and the delicate manner it was presented by the latter worthy gentleman do honor to his head and heart. The body was in a state of preservation as remarkable as the history of the man in life. The face retained its full form and fleshy appearance and was but slightly changed in color. The ceremony of removal was sublimely interesting and witnessed by a large concourse of tearful spectators. This hallowed spot is visited yearly by large numbers who approach it with profound veneration and awe. All nations revere the memory of the father of our country-unborn millions will chant his praise. Foreigners are proud to say they have visited the tomb of Washington at Mount Vernon. This estate was left to George Washington by his brother Lawrence in 1754. This brother served under Admiral Vernon in his memorable attack upon Carthagena in 1741. Having been treated with marked attention by the Admiral he named his estate in commemoration of him.

The name of George Washington is associated with every amiable and noble quality that can adorn a man. It is encircled by a sacred halo that renders it dear to every philanthropist-respected by all civilized nations. His fame is too bright to be burnished by eulogy-too pure to be tarnished by detraction. His praises have been proclaimed by talents of the highest order, hearts of the warmest devotion, imaginations of the happiest conception-eloquence of the loftiest tone. It would require an angel's pen dipped in ethereal fire and an angel's hand to guide it to fully delineate the noble frame work and perfect finish of this great and good man. Like the sun at high meridian, the lustre of his virtues can

be seen and felt but not clearly described. His picture is one on which we may gaze with increased delight and discover new beauties to the last. Like that of our nation-his history is without a parallel. Unblemished rectitude marked his whole career, philanthropy his entire course, justice his every action. Under the most trying circumstances and afflictive dispensations a calm holy resignation to the will of God added a brighter lustre to his exalted qualities. Like a blazing luminary-his refulgence dims the surrounding stars and illuminates the horizon of biography with a light ineffable. His brilliant achievements were not stained with that reckless effusion of blood that marked the ambitious Cæsar, the conquering Alexander and the disappointed Bonaparte. He was consistent to the last.

In private life he was graced with all the native dignity of man, reducing all things around him to a perfect system of harmony, order, economy, frugality and peace. In every thing he was chastened by sterling merit, actuated by magnanimity, mellowed by benevolence, purified by charity. He was a He was a living epistle of all that was great and good. He was the kind husband, the widow's solace, the orphan's father, the faithful friend, the bountiful benefactor, the true patriot, the devoted Christian the worthy citizen, the honest man. He has left examples worthy the contemplation and imitation of all who figure on the stage of public action or in the walks of retired life. His private worth was crowned with amaranthine flowers, richer and sweeter than the epic and civic wreaths that decked his brow in the public view of an admiring world. His virtues were enlivened by the richest colors of godliness-his mind was finished by the finest touches of creative power. His sacred memory will live through the rolling ages of time-will be revered until the wreck of worlds and the dissolution of nature shall close the drama of human action-Gabriel's dread clarion rend the vaulted tombs-awake the sleeping dead and proclaim to astonished millions

TIME SHALL BE NO LONGER.

ANTHONY WAYNE.

THE history of the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution cannot be too often examined by the present and coming generations. To learn their disinterested patriotism, bold conceptions, daring exploits, unparalleled sufferings, indomitable perseverance, noble fortitude, enduring patience and their exalted virtues-is to know something of the high