File:George Mason of Virginia, citizen, statesman, philosopher (1919) (14577328860).jpg

Identifier: georgemasonofvir00maso (find matches)
Title: George Mason of Virginia, citizen, statesman, philosopher
Year: 1919 (1910s)
Authors: Mason, Robert C
Subjects: Mason, George, 1725-1792 Statesmen Gunston Hall (Ship)
Publisher: New York : Oscar Aurelius Morgner
Contributing Library: University of Pittsburgh Library System
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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thers ofthis Republic were imbued with the Scepticism of Vol-taire and the Rationality of Thomas Paine. In evi-dence that George Mason was not among the numberwe submit the following opening paragraph of his LastWill and Testament. T, George Mason, of Gimston Hall/ in the parishof Truro and county of Fairfax, being of perfect andsound mind and memory and in good health, but mind-ful of the uncertainty of human life and the imprudenceof a mans leaving his affairs to be settled upon a death-bed, do make and appoint this my last will and testa-ment. My soul, I resign into the hands of my AlmightyCreator, whose tender mercies are over aU his works,who hateth nothing that he hath made and to the Jus-tice and Wisdom of whose dispensation I willingly andcheerfully submit, humbly hoping from his unboundedmercy and benevolence through the merits of my blessedSaviour, a remission of my sins. No epitaph has recorded his virtues or embalmed hismemory. He needs none. The constitution of Vir- (10 1
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The Citizen ginia, the Declaration of American Independence, andthe principles contained in the Constitution of theUnited States bear evidence of his handiwork, and willstand as everlasting memorials of his genius andinspiration. This man, in his heroic virtues, stern patriotism, loveof country, and devotion to duty, compares favorablyin history with the heroes of Greece and Rome. WerePlutarch alive and writing a new edition of the lives ofillustrious men of modern times, he would select thelives of George Mason and George Washington forComparison and a parallel. The first, the distinguished statesman; the second theillustrious warrior; one in the council, the other in thefield. The first, the great exponent of Democracy; thesecond the great opponent of Autocracy. Each wouldpoint a moral and adorn a tale. One in peace, theother in war. Both could stand forth from the page ofhistory as heroes of antiquity. Americans worthy ofthe mighty republic their genius brought to birth. One of the

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