The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-03-14

| mp lOtCc> commanded Oy Inc aOIcS' Oh
the British officers his poor soldiers
Responding and unclad, without tents, and
| suffering from sickness. deiea, and mis-
fortune we see him amid this darkness
and gloom, calm, serene and undismayed,
with body of troops, that never excee>
ded 1000 regulars, sometimes not more
than half that number, and militia, maxi
ing up in all 5000 men wretchedly de-
hcIent in all kinds of military equip
mems ; yet, TO the ASTONISHING mt Of the
world, sustaining himself against a force
ot e5 900 merccnares, who had become
Injured in Europe to- sanguinary conflicts
and who were provided with every re-
quisile for conquest and success
Throughout the whole struggle for A
merican independence, he conducted
himself with consummate prudence and
caution The treachery of the intriguing
Conway at the battle of Germantown
had well nigh been destructive To- his
military fame vet he rode out the storm
with increased glory and reputation. In
revolutionary times, there will ever rise
up men OF ambitious and Interested prin-
cipieso who would not scruple to sacrifice
the welfare of their country tn then own
elevation. Ofsuch a man was Gate, land
such the contemplate Conway.On others
suspicion NAV too correctly have fixed
and we are sorry to find that he amialle
DR.. Rush was victim TO their arts. but
intrigue as well as suspicion passed 81.
lenuy by the adamapt of Washington
Too conscious Of his own rectitude TO suf-
Ter himself 90 be put cut oftemper by re-
proach and submitting bis actions and
services TO congress, as the best test of
his merit and abilities, he look ed down
with ind Inference upon the schemes OF
envv and mac hinations of faction. When,
hnollv,b themasterlv man9uvre OF York.
tom w aich would Of itself have entitled
him to the praise of consummate Gen.
he emancipated his country from foreign
despotism, We see him surrendering his
command te the power from whom he
had received i, and returning like ano-
Their Cincinnatus 10 he enjoyment OF that
liberty, which mis- Own exertions had so
signally CO aimed
In conclusion we would remark of the
motives Of these great men, .ha, they app
preached as near the idea! objections we
have formed of purity, as it was possible
! to' human nature To do |, is true hat
| ;he b. cath of slands. has attributed
| Wallace, to the base passion cf revenge,
vet the mind rejects with indgnity such
all unfounded assertion. The love Of
| liberty anc virtue was the Impelling
| principle of each, and no peryersion of
ruth, however subtle or ingenious. can
he made to tix stain upon their charac.
tiers. Whether Wallace would have
evhced the tpagnanlmity Of Washington,
had he been equally as fortunate, . is diff
hcult TO say. But from what history has
handed down of his great natriotism, We
might well suppose that his conduct would
have been as praise worthy and laudable.
1t has, however, ever been an aTduous
taSks with men situated under the same
happy circumstances, with the American
patriot, with the affections and gratitude
OF an admiring country,and tie applause
OF the world, TO resist the dazzling lure
that fortune and success have placed in
their hands. Power is gem whose
brilliant qualities have seldom failed TO
cstrange the mind and corrupt the heart,
II ruined Bonaparte, and was the destruc-
ton of Caesar. Cromwell was not proof
against its seductiops nor could Richard
the third resist lis temptations. 1t be.
longed only to Washington to pass, un.
injured, its aIluriHg charms to look with
indifference on its attraotions,eS with horo
ror on IFS corruptioDs. We SEE men who
may have equalled him in devotedness
to patriotism and freedom but never yet
has history afforded an example of one
who equalled him in virtue; in that
quality, compounded of every thing that
Is noble IN reason and exalted IN nature,
which makes US almost idoIize the being
who 'nherits it, and to gaze upon him
with terror, admiration and awe. We
see men who, by the force of superior
education, may have surpassed him
in knowledge; but never one who possess
ed that innate view of truth, bat natural
power of mind that guided and supper.
ted him through the difficulties Of his
life. We see men who have been the az
gents in the hands of Providence, to eff.
iect great and glorious designs, bit neves
one who was clothed with more authority,
or who has acquitted himself with more
deserved praise.
TO play with important truths, 40 dis.
turb the Tepose Ct established tenants, to
subtitle objections, and elude proof, is
too often the sport of youthful vanity, of
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