ng gratitude, the
reward of a nation's love.

JARED SPARKS.

* * * * *

The sword of Washington! The staff of Franklin! Oh sir, what
associations are linked in adamant with these names! Washington, whose
sword, as my friend has said, was never drawn but in the cause of his
country, and never sheathed when wielded in his country's cause.
Franklin, the philosopher of the thunderbolt, the printing-press, and
the plowshare.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

* * * * *

Others of our great men have been appreciated,--many admired by all. But
him we love. Him we all love. About and around him we call up no
dissentient and discordant and dissatisfied elements, no sectional
prejudice nor bias, no party, no creed, no dogma of politics. None of
these shall assail him. When the storm of battle blows darkest and rages
highest, the memory of Washington shall nerve every American arm and
cheer every American heart. It shall relume that Promethean fire, that
sublime flame of patriotism, that devoted love of country, which his
words have commended, which his example has consecrated.

RUFUS CHOATE.

* * * * *

Where may the wearied eyes repose
When gazing on the great,
Where neither guilty glory glows
Nor despicable state?
Yes,--one, the first, the last, the best,
The Cincinnatus of the West,
Whom envy dared not hate,
Bequeathed the name of Washington
To make men blush there was but one.

LORD BYRON.

* * * * *

_From "Washington's Vow," by John Greenleaf Whittier, read at the
dedication of the Washington Arch, at New York City, 1889_

How felt the land in every part
The strong throb of a nation's heart?
As its great leader gave, with reverent awe,
His pledge to Union, Liberty, and Law!

That pledge the heavens above him heard,
That vow the sleep of centuries stirred.
In world-wide wonder listening peoples bent
Their gaze on Freedom's great experiment.

* * * * *

Thank God! the people's choice was just!
The one man equal to his trust.
Wise without lore, and without weakness good,
Calm in the strength of flawless rectitude.

* * * * *

Our first and Best--his ashes lie
Beneath his own Virginia sky.
Forgive, forget