Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-11-10


cumstances so critical, and filling for Sc
RES OF years d station SO conspicuous, his
character should never have teen called in
questions; that he should in no one instance
have been accused either Of improper inso-
lence, or of mean submission in his tran
sactjons with foreign nations. To him it
was reserved to runthe race of glory with
out experiencing the smallest interruption
in the briiliancy Of his career"
Erskine wrote to Washington as fol-
lows:
g have taken the liberty to introduce
your august and immortal name, in a short
sentence, which will be found in the book
send you. | have q large acquaintance
among the most exalted and valuable class
Of men; but you are the only human being
for whom | have felt an awful reverence.
| sincerely pray God TO grant long and
serene evening to life so gloriousIy de-
voted 70 the universal happiness of the
world"
Washington certainly combined materi
ais that wonderfully fitted him for the po-
sition he had to occupy. AS a leader he
appears calm, calculating, brave as his
own sword, yet free from the general ac-
compartment of personal bravery-reck-
less hardihood. 1t is possible that all this
might not have told in a wider scene Of
action, and his mind certainly does not
seem 10 have possessed so much reach as
many men ST inferior note have shewn;
but nature had we'll mixed ingredients in
her cauldron when he was formed, and ia
ken in q whole, his powers must be con
sidered large. As writer, his style is
greatly defective in succinctness and ele-
gance, and conference Of sentences; but a
fine broad line Of common sense and judi
cious reasoning is discernable throughout
all he wrote. There are strong atfinities
Of character and disposition between him
and Scott; yet was he neither magma
tive nor loyal, like that distinguished wri-
ter. Still, in the gentle placidity Of their
natures, their is a wondrous resemblance.
They did not think alike on many sub
iects, save on the immutable forms Of mo-
raj law, on which they were both agreed,
and Of which they were punctualIy obser
want. Probably the Bard of Cavaliers
might not have considered this comparison
complimentary, but a resemblance there is
both in habits, intellect aud pIcty. On this
latter point we think it fitting to say few
words. Washington never appear, in the
later years his life, to have taken the sa-
crament Of the Lords supper, though a
constant attendant at church, and always
advocating the cause Of religion. We arc
inclined to think that he was rather lati-
tudinarian in his religious notions; *sincc
it is difficult to conceive n churchman,
when dying. not outwarily tostiiying his
faith, and tutoring prayers for his SOUL
Possibly the character Of Washington led
him to much internal musing and inward
untraced supplication to God. His char
acter possessed great moral goodness, his
life was free from rcproach, and his exter-
| nal deYOtlons were constant. Still it is
difficult to reconcile such death with the
holy and ennobling hopes Of Christianity.
Something Of such system, if held deep
at the heart, must have evinced itself We
do not say this rcproachfully overtho war
rior's bier, but to us it would have been
most satisfactory, and to the world more
strongly cvidential of firm in-dwelline
hope, had there been even slight dcvei-
opement of the holy bcdcmonts of cuturitv.
Still, in the duties of his public station, in
his charity 10 the poor, in the constant as
cription of all his successes to the Divine
Being, in the Offices of son, husband, and
brother, in his warm and generous friend
ship to his military associates; and espe-
claly La Fayette; in his love to his coun-
try, there are no points Of reproach, bat
in all these offices he appears to merit the
highest commentator. " Non omnia pos
sumus omncs."
In this combination Of qualities is to be
found the power of Washington. On him
we conclude our remarks, in the language
of his last biographor.
- 1t is the harmonious union of the in
tclcctual and moral powers, rather than
the splendour of any one trait, which con-
stitutes The grandeur Of his character. Ii
the title of great man ought to be reserved
for him who cannot be charged with an in
discretion or vice, who spent his life in
establishing the independence, the glory,
and durable posterity of his country, VINO
succeeded in all he undertook, and whose
| successes were never won al the expense
Of honor. Justice, integrity, or by the sac
rifce of single principle, this title will
not be denied to Washington"
A NeU Wdy to remore Jurors Doubts.
The NewbnrvDOrt Herald STATES that on