Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-10-01


The same hciglh breadth of chest, snewy
limbs, nay, almost the same faces, save that the
face Of the stranger, ssharpor in outline, and lacks
that calm consciousness Of great soul, which
stamps the counlenance Of Washington.
That resemblance was most strange their mus
cular forms are clad in the same coarse grey coat
their costume is alike-yet hold
The stranger throws open his overcoat-you be-
hold that hangman's dress, that British uniform,
flashing with gold and stars Washington starts
back and lays his hand upon his word.
And as these two men, so strangely alike, meet
there by accident under that canopy Of boughs,-
one wandering from Valley Forge, one from Phil
adephia-!et me tell you at once that the stranger
is none other than the master Butcher Of the IDIOT
King Sir William Howe.
Yes, there they meet, the one the mpersonation
of Freedom-tho other the tlnselled lacquey of
Tyrants win!
! but important.
For a moment, the British Gehefal. stood SPELL
bound before the man whom he hadcrossed the o.
cean to entrap and bring home the Rebel, who had
| lifted his hand against the Right Divine Of the
British Pope To that British General there was
something awful about the soldier who could talk
with his God as Washington had talked a moment
| ago
81 cannot be mistaken" at last said Sir William
Howe; 81 behold before me the chieitain of the
Rebel army, Mister Washington"
Washington cody bowed his head.
"Thon this is a happy L.sr! For VIC together
can give peace and freedom to this land !"
At this word Washington started with surprise
advanced n step--and then exclaimed
"And who, sir, are you that thus boldly promises
peace and freedom to my country"
1.-The commander of his Majesty's forces in A.
merica" said Howe, advancing along that wood
hidden rock towards Washington "And oh, sir
let me tell you that the king, my master, has heard
Of your virtues, which alone dignlfcs the revolt
with the name of n war, and it is to you he looks
for the termination of this most disastrous contest"
Then Washington, whose pulse had never quick
encI before all the panoply of British arms, felt his
heart lutter IN his bosom, rs that great boon was
before his eyes-peace and freedom to his native
| land
"Yes," continued Howe advancing another step,
"my king looks to you for the termination Of this
unnatural war Let rebellion once be crushed
let the royal name be finally established by your
influences, and then, sir, behold the gratitude of
King George to Mister Washington"
AS he spoke, he placed in the hands of Washing
ton a massive northumberland with the broad
seal Of England, signed with the manuel Of King
George.
Washington took the acknowledgement it
read-his face did not change muscle.
And yet that parchment named Mister George
Washington "GEoRGE DUKE WASHINGTON OF
MOUNT VERNON, or Irell-belored servant, VICERoY
OF AMERICA"
Here was a boon for the Virginia planter-here
was title and power for the young man, who
was one day struggling for his life away there amid
floating ice on the dark Allegheny
For moment, the face of Washington was bu-
red in that parchment, and then, in low, deep
voice, he spoke
81 have been thinking" he said, "of the ten
thousand brave men who have been mastered IN
this quarrel, have been thinking of the dead of
/ Low n IN hpc
Yes, the dead Of Saratoga Brandy wine German
town"
"And your king" continued Washington, with
look and tone that would have cut into a heart of
marble, "would have me barter the bones OF the
dead for ribbon and ttle!"
And then-whlle lowe sDrunk covering back
that Vlrgnil planter, Washington, crushed that
parchment into the sod, with the heel of his warrior
boot-Yes, trampled that title that royal name,
into one mass Of rags and dust.
"T'hat is my answer to your king"
And then he stood with scorn on his brow, and
in his eye, his outsreched arm pointing at that min
ion of King George
Wasn't that picture for the pencil of an Angel ?
And now that British General, recovering from his
first SURPRISE grew red as his uniform, with rage.
Your headw he gasped, cllnching his hand,
your head will yet redden the Traitors block"
) Then Washngton's hand sought his sword
then his fierce spirit awoke within hint was his
first impulse to strike that braggart quivering into
the DUST
But in moment he grew calm.
"Yours is good and great king" he said, with
his usual stern I" AT first he Is determined tc
sweep whole Continent with but five Thousand
men, but he soon finds that his five thousand mer
must swell to twenty-five thousand before he car
ever begin his work o. murder. Then he sacrf
e ces his own subjects by housa lds-and butcher:
peaceful farmers by tens OF thousands and yet his
march Of victory is not even begun. Then, 1t he
conquers the capital city of the Continent victory
:, is sure! Behold the city is in his grasp, yet still
the hosts OF freedom defy him, even from the hut:
e of Valley Forge!
, Sand now, as last resource, your king come:
to the man whose head yesterday was sought, will
d high reward, to grace the gates of London-ht
=. offers that Rebel Dukedom-a vice regal sceptre
d And yet that Rebel tramples the Dukedom into thu
e dust-that Rebel brushes into atoms the name 0
such king"
c All, never spaniel skulked from the kick Of hi
l. master as that General Howe cringed away from
y the presence Of Washington mounted his hors
l. was gone
One word with regard to the aged Tory who be
is held this scene from yonder bushes, with alernat
If wonder, admiration, and fear
= That Tory went home--"I have seen Georg
Washington at prayer" he said to his wife " tn
1t man who can trampe upon the name of a king, a
ID he did-pray to God as he prayed, that man cannc
be Rebel or o bad man. Tomorrow, will joi
&c my sons at Valley Forge"
of o. A writer puts the matter to the swearer
he a iorcble STYLE as follows:
Is any man advanced to dignity because he
ar expert at protane swearing? Never. Low mus
re be the character which such impertnence will e1
is att high must be the character which such impe
thence will not degrade. nexcusable Therefore
d. must be the practice which has neither reason NJ
ur passion to support it, The drunkard has his cup