NOTES FAREWELL ADDRESS 1:4. arrived. Observe the balanced independent constructions leading to the principal statement. This formal introductory sentence, though quite in accord with the stately rhetoric of Washington's time, follows classical models more closely than is now customary. The usage of our own time is illustrated in the opening sentences of the two Bunker Hill orations. 2: 12. election. In 1792. 2:15. foreign nations. France declared herself a republic in 1792. The wise course of Washington kept the country in a neutral position during the period of the French revolution known as "The Reign of Terror." This period has been generally considered to extend from January 21, 1793, the date of the execution of Louis XVI, to July 28, 1794, when Robespierre and other sanguinary leaders were guillotined on the spot where their victims had been killed. The atrocities committed during this period and its sudden end fully justified the policy of Washington. 2: 16. persons. Washington even went so far as to send to Madison a number of topics and to ask him to consider them and express them in "plain and modest terms"; but Madison begged Washington to abandon his idea of retiring. Jefferson wrote a letter, presenting at length the reason why he should remain in office, and ending with the words: "and I cannot but hope that you can resolve to add one or two more to the many years you have already sacrificed to the good of man kind." 36. unconscious. What is the grammatical relation of this word with the rest of the sentence? 3 10. years. Washington was now sixty-four. 5 17. former and not dissimilar occasion. Washington's "Farewell Address to the Armies of the United States," November 2, 1783. See the Writings of George Washington, ed. by W. C. Ford. Putnam's Edition, Vol. X, p. 330. 6 14. palladium. Set where the upper streams of Simois flow And fought, and saw it not - but there it stood! Backward and forward roll'd the waves of fight Round Troy - but while this stood, Troy could not fali. 9:23. so large a sphere. Compare the population of the United States in 1790, 3,929,214, with that in 1900, when it was 76,215,129. 10 3. subdivisions. Form a clear conception of the powers and relations of the state and national governments. 10 6. shall. Notice the difference between shall and will in this sentence. 11 3. treaty with Spain. : In 1795 a treaty with Spain was made by the United States, allowing both nations to use the Mississippi River. 119. with Great Britain. On the 18th of August, 1795, Washington signed the Jay Treaty with Great Britain. This treaty was violently opposed at first, but gradually its acceptance was considered wise. 11:25. first essay. The Articles of Confederation agreed upon in Congress in 1777 were not accepted by the last state until 1781. They remained as the basis of a feeble government until 1789. 11:25. adoption of a constitution. On April 30, 1789, in New York City by the inauguration of President Washington, a government was organized under the Constitution. 12:22. associations. Numerous "self-created societies" were formed in the land, influenced by the Jacobin clubs of France. Washington sternly opposed them without regard to his popularity. They soon passed away, as the failure of the French Revolution taught the people that liberty should be restrained by law. 21 13. excluded. The references here are especially to Great Britain and France. 28: 1. proclamation. When it had been announced early in April that France had declared war against England, Washington, upon due deliberation with his cabinet, issued a proclamation of neutrality. THE BUNKER HILL MONUMENT 31:11. We are. Notice the parallel sentences in this place and in other passages in this oration, often used with great effect. 31 14. not. This negative phrase is very impressive. It leads to a change of construction into a stronger positive sentence. : 32 4. But. This conjunction is used to return to the previous line of thought. 32:24. discoverer of America. Columbus reached San Salvador on October 12, 1492, in the caravel Santa Maria. See, for fuller description of this scene, Irving's Life of Columbus. 33 11. colonists from England. In 1607 the English settlements began at Jamestown, Virginia. 33:21. Plymouth. On December 21, 1620, the Pilgrims landed upon Plymouth Rock from the Mayflower. See Webster's oration on the "First Settlement of New England.” 33:23. ancient Colony. Maryland was first settled in 1634, at St. Mary's, on a branch of the Potomac, by colonists who came over in the Ark and the Dove, under the direction of the Baltimore family. 34 12. Society. The Bunker Hill Monument Association, of which Webster was at this time the president. 35 6. We know. at the beginning and 37: 17. summit. Study the effect of the repetitions we know we wish at the close of this paragraph. This is a passage of great beauty and force, and is typical of Webster's best manner. It was used a |