[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1410-S1411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     EULOGY TO PRESIDENT WASHINGTON

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask that a eulogy written in honor 
of President George Washington be printed in the Record in recognition 
of President's Day on Monday, February 17. My constituents from 
Cocolalla, ID, brought this piece to my attention, and I believe it is 
an appropriate tribute to our first President.
  The eulogy follows:

     Washington,
     The Defender of his Country,
     The Founder of Liberty,
     The Friend of Man
     History and Tradition are explored in vain
     For a Parallel to his Character.
     In the Annals of Modern Greatness
     He stands alone,
     And the noblest Names of Antiquity
     Lose their Lustre in his Presence.

     Born the Benefactor of Mankind,
     He was signally Endowed with all the Qualities
     Appropriate to his Illustrious Career,
     Nature made him great,
     And, Heaven-directed,
     He made himself Virtuous.

     Called by his Country to the Defence of her Soil,
     And the Vindication of her Liberties,
     He led to the Field
     Her Patriot Armies;
     And, displaying in rapid and brilliant succession
     The United Powers
     Of Consummate Prudence and Heroic Valor,
     He triumphed in Arms
     Over the most powerful Nation of Modern Europe;
     His Sword giving Freedom to America,
     His Counsels breathing Peace to the World.

     After a short repose
     From the tumultuous Vicissitudes
     Of a sanguinary War,
     The astounding Energies of
     Washington
     Were again destined to a New Course
     Of Glory and Usefulness.

     The Civic Wreath
     Was spontaneously placed
     By the Gratitude of the Nation
     On the Brow of the Deliverer of his Country.
     He was twice solemnly invested
     With the Powers of Supreme Magistracy,
     By the Unanimous Voice of
     A Free People;
     And in his Exalted and Arduous Station,
     His Wisdom in the Cabinet
     Transcended the Glories of the Field.

     The Destinies of Washington
     Were now complete.
     Having passed the Meridian of a Devoted Life,
     Having founded on the Pillars
     Of National Independence
     The Splendid Fabric
     Of a Great Republic,
     And having firmly Established
     The Empire of the West,
     He solemnly deposited on the Altar of his Country
     His Laurels and his Sword,
     And retired to the Shades
     Of Private Life.
     A Spectacle so New and so Sublime,
     Was contemplated by Mankind
     With the Profoundest Admiration;
     And the Name of Washington,
     Adding new Lustre to Humanity,
     Resounded
     To the remotest Regions of the Earth.

     Magnanimous in Youth,
     Glorious through Life,
     Great in Death,
     His highest Ambition
     The Happiness of Mankind,
     His noblest Victory
     The Conquest of Himself.
     Bequeathing to America
     The Inheritance of his Fame,
     And building his Monument

[[Page S1411]]

     In the Hearts of his Countrymen,
     He Lived,
     The Ornament of the Eighteenth Century;
     He Died,
     Lamented by a Mourning World.

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