The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-08
From tie Baltimore .Rnerie0s.
WASHINGTON.

The subJoined sketch Of the character Of WASH
lseroN is from ALLisos's History Of Modern Europe.
The euiogium here pronounced is not without dis
elimination. We may remark, however that in as
erlbing WAsnISGToNs military successes rather 10
''the wisdom Of his designs the perseverance OF
ms character, Than to any extraordinary genius for
me art OF war;" The historian appears TO have fallen
INTO the common error Of less accurate observers.
When the circumstances are considered under which
the Revolutionary hero conducted his military opera
tlons-the vast expanse of country allotted to the
movements OF the armes--the nconv enieDces which
the enemy were subject to in carrying on hosttes
so lar from home--the inequality of the respective
parties with regard to discipline, equipments and
means-when it is rccollected that perplexties and
endorsements beset the American leader at every
STEP resulting from the weakness of the Confedera-
led Government, deprecated currency, and the
inefhciency Of new leviesit will be that the
system adopted by him in conducting the struggle
was chosen not as matter of preference in accord
ance with his disposition but as the only sys-
tenn adapted to the emergency of the case. That
WAsHSGros possessed all those high qualities of de-
clslon, energy, quick despatch and ready invention
which characterize the first order of military heroes
is evident from his campaign in the Jerseys, includ-
ing the passage of the Delaware and the battles of
Trenton and Princeton, which boldness became pro-
per- His manGuyrs which deceived Sir HENRY
CLINTON, and by which he concentrated his forces at
Yorktown and compelled the surrender Of Cornwall
LIS before any assistance could reach him. displays
the same qualities. If he could be FABIus in prl-
dent circumspection, could he also show himself
HANNIBAL in terrible energy
The admirable equilibrium of WAsnINGToN's cha
racter, whereby all the faculties of his great mind
were harmonIously proportional and undue prepon-
deranc- allowed TO none, has induced some to sup
pose that because no startling prominences were
seen in particular parts, there was no elevation in
such points. But let it be remembered that the whole
man stood, majestic, high above the common level
His whole character was of massive grandeur
If one quality did not tower aloft to overshsdow the
rest, 1t was tecause all were exalted. The solemn
earnes,ness Of his soul precluded all vain ambition
him that was not Observation-Disclosures; in him
the elements OF all noble qualities were mixed,
- that Nature might stand up,
And say all the world, This ua, man
In the sketch which follows, it will be seen that
the British historian takes pride in the fact that the
hero of our Republic came of the old English stock.
We are not disposed to deny the claim of sympathy
| which he advances; for We, this side Of the
ter, also, claim inheritance in the glory of
British wo thes whose names identified with the
progress Of human freedom anG with some of the no
blest achievements of man
WASHINGTON.
Modern history has not spotless character to
commemorate. lnvncibe in resolution, firm in con-
duct, incorrupble in integrity he brought to the helm
of victorious republic the simplicity and innocence
OF rural life. He forced into greatness by cir
cumstances, rather than led into it by inclination and
prevailed over his enemies rather by the wisdom Of
his designs and the perseverance Of his character
than any extraordinary genius for the art of war.
soldier from necessity and patriotism rather than dis
posi- ion, he was the first to recommend return 10
pacific counscls when the independence Of his coun-
try was secured and bequea,hed TO his countrymen
an address on leaving their Government 10 which
there is no composition of unnspircd wisdom which
can bear comparison lie was modest without diff
dence; sensible TO the voice Of fame, without vani-
~ independent and dgnifcd, without either asperi-
ty or pride. He friend 10 liberty but not IL
centousness not to the dreams of enthusiasts but to
those practical ideas which America had inherited
from her English descent and which were opposed
to nothing much the extravagant love Of power
in the French democr.cy. Accordingly, after having
signazed his life by successful resistance TO English
oppression he closed il by the warmest advice TO cu
uvate the friendship OF Great Britain and by his
casting vote, shortly before his resignation ratified
treaty Of friendly and commercial intercourse be.
tween the mother country and its cmancipated off
spring. lie was Cromwell without his ambition
Sylla wi,hou. his crimes and after having raised
his country by bis exerons, TO the rank Of iDde-
pendent state closed his by voluntary relin-
quIshment Of the power which grateful people had
bestowed II Is the highest glory of England to have
given BIRTH even amid transatlantic wilds to such
man; and II she cannot number him among those
who have extended her provinces or augmented her
dominons, she may at least feel a legitimate pride 10
the victories which he achieved, and the great quail
ties which he exhibited, in the contest with herself ;
and indulge with satisfaction in the reflection that that
vast empire, which neither the ambition of Louis
NV. nor the power Of Napoleon could dismember,
received its first rude shock from the courage which
she had communicated TO her own offspring and that
amid the conyulsions and revolutions Of other STATES
real liberty has arisen in that country alone which in
herted in lis veins the genuine principles Of British
freedom.
The Paris correspondent of the Charleston Cou-