Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-08-16

our rights was insufficient. America
had then to struggle through protract-
ed and bloody war. Many were the pa
triots and heroes that bled and died upon
the altar offreedom, to secure the indie
pendence of our country. After an eight
years struggle the independence of
America was secured and ratified, and
the government of the United States as
sumed her rank among the nations of
the earth.
In passing over the history of these
times which "tried mems SOULS" suffer
me to digress moment and present to
your view our illustrious WASHING
TON. Possessing liberality, Justice
iortitude, and humility, he seemed to be
peculiarly designed and raised up by
heaven, as deliverer and political sa-
vior oil his country"
| Though blessed with an independent
fortune and gliding on the stream OF
worldly prosperity, yet be was neither
proud nor vain. Possessing in an emil
nent degree the christian virtue of meek
ness, he felt his dependence, and evil
IDENTITY put his trust in COP. Ever ODE
dent to the calls OF his country, upon
receiving from congress the command oil
the American army, he repaired TO the
field of &C ion.
Faithfully devoted to his country's
service, he experienced laborious and
watchinl days, and pensive and sleep
less highs. Was there danger in the
held, he was the first to meet it; was
there toll, hardship, or distress, he was
The first TO feel it. True merit by him
was never left unnoticed nor unrcward-
ed. lie was the oracle among the wise
IN council he WAS the hero among the
brave in battle. The army looked to
him with profound reverence, confidence,
and respect, because he was their COM
panlon and friend. The rights of his
fellow citizens were sacred to him, and
they loved and admired him as their safe
guard and protector.
Suffice il to say that through an eight
years war to the closing scene at York
Town, where the elements united to aid
the cause OF America, he was under GoD,
our shield, our support, end confidence,
and he accomplished the high expecta-
lions OF his coantry's hopes. =
Though the bards have invoked the
muses. TO exiol his fame--the venerable
sage with the feeble matron---the bloom
ing youth with the iisping infaat have
all united TO sound bis praise for long
course of unsulled glory; yet the plau-
dts OF men were not his prop, nor an arm
Of flesh his trust: He ever kept his
eve steadily fixed upon the FOUNTAIN OF
WISDOM, while he was duly mindful of
the streams.
Ancient Greece had her Socrates, her
Scion, and Lycurgus :-Rome her Ju-
Illus Cesar, her Fabius and Fabricus-
Carthage her Hannibal-France her
Chalenagne, and Napoieon--theS wedes
had their Charles the twelfth, and the
Russians boasts of their Peter, the foun-
der OF their extensive empire,but amones,
all these we find not a parallel with
Washington--never was there more
Just and appropriate eulogy pronounced
than t'
lie WAS FIRST IN wAR--FIRsT IN
pEAcE--AND FIRST IN THE HEARTS OF
HIS couNTRYMEN."
10 human appearance after conduct
ing the American armies through the war,
Washington, like Julius Caesar, might
have erected an absolute monarchy.
There was time when d!saffec;ion had
spread itself through the ranks of the
army, and many had Ieagued together TO
retain their arms until congress had sa-
lished their demands, but the presence
of Washington dispelled the porten-
tous cloud. He appeared in front OF
the army whep the spirit of dissatisfaction
was at its heighi--and, taking hold OF
his grey locks" See" said the angus
patriot, SHOW my head has zrhisened ip
The service, and yet Ineuer doubted the
justice Of my conatry." The officers
melted into tears--the soldiers threw
down their arms, and resolved to sacri-
fice private right upon the altar Of pub.
lie justice. AT that moment Washing
ton might have led them to the door of
congress and have been proclaimed EN-
PERoR OF AMERICA. %
But he chose to retire from the glare,
the trappings, and splendor Of his mill
tary glory, even amidst the plaudits and
admiration Of the world, preferring a
private retreat as a private citizen, and
submitting to be governed by the laws OF
his country. This was character un.
common in the history of man, and gave
even to virtue new triumph!
But Washington is no more! May