Excerpt from Speech of Hon. John S. Wise of Virginia, Delivered at the Annual Banquet of the Michigan Club at Detroit, Michigan, February 22d, 1887: Responsive to the Sentiment, George Washington, the Virginian

After the conclusion of Mr. Boutelle's speech, Mr. Wise was introduced to the assemblage by Senator Palmer, in a few appropriate remarks, and proceeded: -

Mr. Chairman and fellow-citizens: It was but yesterday that I passed through Williamsburg, the ancient, faded capital of the Old Dominion - the historic spot whence Washington set forth one hundred and thirty years ago, in the historic Braddock campaign. To-day, responsive to your invitation, I greet you, fellow-citizens of Michigan, to speak to the sentiment, "George Washington, the Virginian."

Could we have met him on this ground when he lived, it would have been as fellow-citizens of one commonwealth, for, as George Washington was Virginia's best and noblest gift to liberty, your splendid northwest territory was her second and scarce less noble tribute to perpetual union. [Applause.] Could we meet here to-night, that great spirit oi George Washington, I doubt not that his proudest smile would wreathe at the thought that through all the toils and troubles of the century that has passed, we still meet upon this soil as fellow-citizens and brethren of a common country.

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