In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

293 Oration, Upon The Death of General Washington, by Gouverneur Morris. Delivered At The Request Of The Corporation Of The City Of New-York, On The 31st Day Of December, 1799. And Published by their Request (New-York: printed by John Furman, opposite the City Hall, 1800). American Antiquarian Society Early American Imprints, series I (Evans), no. 38002. Courtesy American Antiquarian Society. 1. “Who but that man deserves to receive divine praises in song, or can be so great 22 • Oration on the Death of George Washington (1799) The only man among his contemporaries for whom Morris could be said to have unqualified admiration was George Washington. They first became acquainted in the very early stages of the Revolution, but Morris’s respect for Washington grew into something approaching hero worship during the years he spent in the Continental Congress. Those years included the winter of the encampment at Valley Forge, where Morris saw the suffering of the troops and the determination of Washington at first hand. Just a few days before Washington died, Morris had written to urge him to come out of retirement again for the good of the country. John Adams’s deeply unpopular presidency had divided the country and the Federalist party. To Morris, Washington was the only one who could save the country from dissolving into an unhealthy factionalism. Thus for him the loss of Washington was not only personal, but public. •• Sed quisnam merito divinas Carmine Laudes Concipere, aut tanto par queat esse Viro? aurEL. brand.1 Americans, Assembled to pay the last dues of filial piety to him who was the father of his country, it is meet that we take one last look at the man whom we have lost forever. 294 chaPtEr 22 a man?” The quotation comes from a poem of Aurelio Brandolini (1454–97), “De Laudibus Laurentii Medicis” (In honor of Lorenzo di Medici). Born to high destinies, he was fashioned for them by the hand of nature —His form was noble—His port majestic—On his front were enthroned the virtues which exalt, and those which adorn the human character . So dignified his deportment, no man could approach him but with respect—None was great in his presence. You all have seen him, and you all have felt the reverence he inspired; it was such, that to command, seemed in him but the exercise of an ordinary function, while others felt a duty to obey, which (anterior to the injunctions of civil ordinance, or the compulsion of a military code) was imposed by the high behests of nature. He had every title to command—Heaven, in giving him the higher qualities of the soul, had given also the tumultuous passions which accompany greatness, and frequently tarnish its luster. With them was his first contest, and his first victory was over himself. So great the empire he had there acquired , that calmness of manner and of conduct distinguished him through life. Yet, those who have seen him strongly moved, will bear witness that his wrath was terrible; they have seen boiling in his bosom, passion almost too mighty for man; yet, when just bursting into act, that strong passion was controlled by his stronger mind. Having thus a perfect command of himself, he could rely on the full exertion of his powers, in whatever direction he might order them to act. He was therefore, clear, decided, and unembarrassed by any consideration of himself. Such consideration did not even dare to intrude on his reflections. Hence it was, that he beheld not only the affairs that were passing around him, but those also in which he was personally engaged, with the coolness of an unconcerned spectator. They were to him as events historically recorded . His judgment was always clear, because his mind was pure. And seldom, if ever, will a sound understanding be met with in the company of a corrupt heart. In the strength of judgment lay, indeed, one chief excellence of his character . Leaving to feebler minds that splendor of genius, which, while it enlightens others, too often dazzles the possessor—he knew how best to use the rays which genius might emit, and carry into act its best conceptions. So modest, he wished not to attract attention, but observed in silence, and saw deep into the human heart. Of a thousand propositions he knew to distinguish the best; and to select among a thousand the man most fitted for his purpose. If ever he was deceived in...

Share