The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-07-04

the sOundness Of an opinion, and OF the
strong points in an argument, enabled
him to draw to his aid the best fruits Of
their talents, and the light of their col.
lected wisdom.
His moral qualities were in perfect
harmony with those Of his intellect
Duty was the ruling principle of his
conduct. and the rare endowments OF
his understanding were not more con-
stantly tasked to devise the best meth
ods Of effecting an object. than they
were to guard the sanctity of con-
science. No instance can be adduced,
in which he was actuated by sinister
motive, or endeavored TO attain an end
by unworthy means. Truth, integrity,
and justice were deeply rooted in his
mind; and nothing could rouse his in
dignation so soon, or so utterly destroy
his confidence, as the discovery of the
want of these virtues in any one whom
he trusted. Weaknesses, follies, in
discretions, he could forgive; subter-
fuge and dishonesty he never forgot,
rarely pardoned. He was candid and
sincere, true to his friends and faithful
to all, neither practising dissimulation,
descending to artifice, nor holding out
expectations which he did not intend
should be realized. His passions were
strong, and sometimes they broke out
with vehemence, but he had the power
of checking them in an instant. Per-
haps self-control was the most remark
able trait of his character. 1t was in
part the effect of discipline; yet he
seems by nature to have possessed this
power in a degree, which has been de-
MED to other men.
A christian in faith and practice, he
was habitually devout. His reverence
far religion is seen in his example, his
public Communications, and his private
writings. He uniformly ascribed his
success to the benefcent agency OF the
Supreme Being. Charitable and hui
name, hs was liberal to the poor, and
kind to those in distress. AS ahusband,
son, and brother, he was tender and at,
fectionate. Without vanity, ostsnta-
tion, or pride, he never spoke of him.
self or his actions, unless required by
circumstances which concerned the
public interests. AS he was free from
envy, so he had the good fortune to
escape the envy of others, by standing
on an elevation which none could hope
to attain. If he had one passion more
strong than other, it was love OF his
country. The purity and ardor OF his
patriotism were commensurate with
the greatness of its object. Love o1
country in HIM was invested with the
sacred obligation of a duty; and from
the faithful discharge of this duty he
never swerved for moment, either In
thought or deed, through the whole Pc
riod of his eventtul career.
Such are some of the traits in the
character of Washington, which have
acquired for him the love and venera
+ ton Of mankind. they are not mark
eQ WIFI VI HllulSCs Shlio So~ASS3 "-N
eccentricity, which in other men have
excited the astonishment of the world
so neither are they tarnished by the fol
lies nor disgraced by the crimes of those
men. 1t is the happy combination o
rare talents and qualities, the harmon'
Gus union of the intellectual and mora
mowers. rather than the dazzling splen
dor Of any one trait, which constitute
the grandeur of his character. IL tn,
| title of great men ought to be reserve.
for him, who cannot be charged witt
an iadiscretion or vice. who spent HI
! life in establishing the independence:
, the glory, and durable prosperity OF hi
. country, who succeeded in all that h
i undertook, and whose successes wer
, never won at the expense ofhonor, Jul
! tice, integrity, or by the sacrifice OF
i single principle, this title will not b
4 denied to Washington.