A letter written on board the United States sloop-of-war Pawnee, recently dispatched on foreign service, records this touching incident:
“In passing down the Potomac river, and arriving opposite Mount Vernon, a beautiful and graceful tribute was paid to the sacred remains that lie entombed in that hallowed spot. All hands were called, officers in swords and epaulets, sailors in their neat uniform, the fine guard of the Pawnee drawn up, with belt and musket ; at a given signal the large American ensign fell at half-mast, the ship’s bell tolled out its muffled tones, the melancholy drums rolled their funeral salute, while the presented arms and uncovered heads of officers and men paid a sad tribute of respect to him who was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen;” and so the Pawnee passed on silent and mourning, for he by whose grave she glided was the Father of his Country—a country scarcely a lifetime old ; yet the children of the second generation are ready to tear it to pieces, and with its ruins hide forever from the eye of men that grave and all the deeds which make it so famous in the world.
“Pass by this grave, oh Americans, as did the Pawnee and her gallant crew, and if after you have the hearts to rend each other, to scatter ashes and ruin over the land of Washington, then, indeed, is vain all virtue and patriotism, and the sooner the iron heel of despotism is planted firmly upon the neck of the people the better. Let both North and South remember the cry, ‘Those that rule by the sword shall perish by the sword.’
“The Pawnee goes upon her duty. She will, under the direction of her gallant commander and officers, perform it faithfully, no matter how painful it may be—no matter how many friendships may be broken, no matter how much we may differ about the right or wrong of it.”
Delaware State Journal and Statesman, Wilmington, DE