The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-12

sernmeai Ior the United States, should infu,
sace every lover q his country 10 pause and
ask, Il this genuine palristlsmi L. this true
saler L. ihis the example set BY the Illus
trious founders of tins great republ.c la
answer 90 these questions send for insertion
Ia your loBrnnl the following account Of him
who y pfe-emineni, ia every respect, IN the
estimation of every true American
Ia 1884. Washington was stationed az
Alexandria with his regimen, the only one in
the colony, and IL winch he was colonel
There happened q, sha, time TO be m election
IN Alexandria Cor members Of the assembly,
and the ballot ran high between Col George
Fairfax and Mr. William Elzey. Washington
was on the side OF Fairfax and Mr.. William
Payne headed the friends % Elzey.
In the course Of the contest Washington
grew very warm, (for his passions naturally
we're terrible, though wise regard 20 duty,
honor, and happiness, soon reduced them 10
proper coinmand,) and uniacky said some
thing 10 Mr.. Payne, who Though but cub in
size wns lion 10 heart esinced his shclaiah,
and al blow extended the hero Washington
on the ground. News vas soon carried TO the
regiment that their Colonel was murdered by
the mob. On the passions of the soldiers,
who doated on their commander, such re-
port fell at once like fash ~ lightning on a
magazine of gun power. In a moment the
whole regiment was under arms, and In rapid
motion toward the town, burning for yen-
geance. During this time Washington had
been literally Piled with cold water, acids,
and volatles; and happily for Mr.. Payne and
his party, was so far recovered as 20 90 out
and meet his enraged soldiers, who crowded
around him with faces Of honest Joy TO see
him yet alive.
After thanking them for such an evidence Of
their attachment To him, he assured them that
he was not materially injured, and begged
them, by their love Of him and Of their duty, TO
return peaceably to their barracks. As for
himself, he went to his room generously chas-
Using his passion, which had just struck out
spark that had like to have thrown the whole
town into flame /; and feeling himself the ag-
gressor Of Mr.. Payne, he resolved to make him
the honorable PREPARATION Of asking his pardon.
NJ sooner had he made this heroic resolution,
than recovering that delicious gaiety, which
ever accompanies good purposes IN a yirtuous
mind, he then spent the evening IN circle OF
friends, manifesting all the cheertulness which
he could have done il nothing had happened.
Early next morning he wrote polite note Of
invitation to Mr.. Payne to meet him at the
tavern. Payne took it for challenge, and
repaired to the tavern in full expectation of
smelling gunpowder But what was his sur
prise, on entering the chamber, TO see, IN lieu
of brace of pistols, decanter Of wine and
pair of glasses on the table. Washington
rose, met him, and offering his hand, with a
smile began. Mr.. Payne to err sometimes
is nature-to rectiiy error is always glory
believe ! was wrong in the affair of yester-
day. You have had, think some satisiac-
ton; and if you deem that sufficient, here is
my hard--et us be friends"
"An act of such sublime virtue, produced
its proper effect on the mind Of Mr.. Payne,
who from that moment became the most en-
thusiastic admirer and friend Of Washington"
Would the distinguished men Of our nation
but be persuaded TO emulate an example SO
correct and truly heroic in the youthful Wash
ipgton, our newspapers would no longer shock
us with accounts Of human life sacrificed on
the altar Of false principles of honor. Would
they but exert the courage, the only true cou-
rage, to stamp into immediate silence the cla-
mors of passion, and arouse to the sacred calls
OF duty and their country's real glory, there
would be no room for acts which agoniZe the
kindred circle with unutterable anguish and
horror, and shroud nation in the habiIiments
of shame-the guilt of which only could be ex-
tenuated in the darkest ages Oft the world.
| wish to be understood as expressing no
sentiment as to the relative merits OF the bel
igerents; but to record the unqualified con-
dcmnalion which every honorable man in this
republic, should stamp upon all who IN any way
participate in perpetuating this relic Of u bar
barous age.--Chris. .ddp.