Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-09-13
VOL III.
BY ELISHA CT A R K E.
From the Mothers Magazine
THE INTEGRITY OF WASHINGTON.

From the Mothers Magazine.
THE INTEGRITY OF wAsHINGTON.
During the administration of Washing
ton, as President of the United States, an
application was made to him by a gentle-
man for lucrative and highly responsible
Office within his gift The application was
made with more confidence of success from
the fact, that this gentleman had been the
friend and companion of the General
throughout the whole course of the revou-
tionary war during which he had received,
on various occasions, indubitable marks of
his kindness and Partially. He had be-
come, in the estimation, if not of himself,
of his friends, in degree essary to the
happiness of Washington, and had there.
fore, in their opinion, only to apply for the
office to receive it. 1t was boon, which,
while it would ensure competency and ease
10 a friend, would bring that friend into fire.
quent intercourse with his patron and for
mer associate in arms.
For the same Office, however, there was
a competitor; but as he was decidedly hos
tile to the politics Of Washington and had
made himself conspicuous among the ops
posers of his administration, no serious APP
prehensions were felt from this quarter.
Towards such a man; well known polit-
icaI enemy; Washington surely could feel
under no obligations and was not likely to
prefer such one to personal friend and
fayorite. Every one acquainted with the
pretensions Of the two applicants was at no
loss to Judge as to the Presidents decision,
and the current opinion was in favor of the
friend; and against his competitor
Judge, then, the general surprise, when
it was announced that the political oppo-
nent Of Washington was appointed to the
office, and the former associate ofthe Gen
eral in the tolls and deprvations of a camp
was was lett destitute and neglected.
When Ills decision was known, mutual
friend, who interested himself in the affair,
yentured to demonstrate with the President
on the injustice of his appointment. My
friend replied this illustrIous man, Il re-
ceive with a cordial welcome he is well
come to my house, and welcome to my
heart; but with all his good qualities, he is
net man of business. His opponent with
all Ills political hostility to me, is man of
business. My private feelings have Moth
ing to do in the case! | am not George
Washington, but President of the United
States. AS George Washington, would
do this man any kindness in my power;
but as President of the United Ststes can
do nothing
Who can read this incident in the life Of
this distinguished man, and not admire his
integrity? The temptation to hazard the
public good for tie benefit and gratifica-
ton of friend-and such friend--must
have been powerful Some might have
persuaded themselves that the public veal
would not suffer, at least they would have
been willing to make the experiment. But
Washington seems to have proceeded in
this instance; and in what similar instance
did he not proceed, upon just and con-
scientious principles3 His friend, with all
his estimable qualities, had no business
tact; his enemy was gentleman of strong
integrity, promitude, and fidelity IN bust
ness, and every quality, which, if called in
to exercise, would render service to the
State. The decision of Washington, there
fore, was just honorable and patriotic.
But whence this admirable, may say
almost singular integrity? Was Washington
an exception to the infrmiiies of our ma
ture ?-Or was his piety of a higher order,
or more efficient in its influenced The
first is inadmssible-the latter improbable,
But the explanation of his sterling integri-
ty is to be found, | think, in that happy
and efficient maternal influence. which, it is
well known, was exercised upon him in his
earlier days. On the death of his father,
which occurred when he was ten years old
the charge of his education devolved upon
his mother. All accounts concur in tho
admission that she was an extraordinary wo-
man--possessing not only rare intellectual
endowments, but those moral qualities
which give elevation, worth and dignity to
the soul. These letters she was particur-
larly anxioust to engraft upon the heart OF
beloved son, and with what success the his
tory of his life displays.
The particular process, by which she ac-
complished SO happy a design, it is not in
my power at this time to describe; but a
story occurs to my recollection, which may