Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-12-25
For The EreA PreSr-

For the Free Press.
MEssRs. EDIToRs-I copy from the Mscella.
neous writings of Henry (Lord) Brougham the
following just opinion Of WaShington,- which, |
think, has never yet found a place in the columns
of the Free Press. The true character of the
"Faher Of his country" can never be too well
understood, nor too highly appreciated, by the
people of the United States. Referring TO the
character of Napoleon when contrasted with that
OF our own Washington, Lord Brougham saws:
,,How grateful 'he RELIEF which The friend Of
mankind, the lover ofvrtue, experiences, when
turning from the contemplation of such charac.
ter, his eye rests upon the greatest man ofour
own or OF any age:-the only one upon whom an
epithet so thoughtessly lavished by men to fos.
ter the crimes of their worst enemies, NAV be in.
nocently and justly bestowed! In Washington
we truly behold marvellous contrast to almost
every one of the endowments and the vices
which are so we'll fitted TO excite mingled ad.
mratlon, and sorrow, and abhorence. With
none OF that brilliant genius which dazzIes ordi.
nary minds; with not even any remarkable quick.
ness apprehension ;wilh knowledgeless thanal.
most all persons in the middle ranks, and manv
well educated of the humber classes possess; this
eminent person is presented to our observation
clothed in attributes as modest as unpretending.
as little calculated to strike or to astonish as If
he had passed unknown through some secluded
region ofprivate life. But he had judgement
sure and sound; steadiness of mind which never
suffered any passion, or even any feeling to ruffe
It's calm; strength understanding which wor-
ked rather than forced its way through all obsta.
IcIes,-removing or avoiding rather than over
eaplng them. His courage, whether in battle or
IN council, was as perfect as might be expected
from this pure and steady temper of soul. A
pertectlyju just man, with thoroughly firm reso.
luton never TO be misled by others, any more
than by others overawed; never 10 be seduced or
betrayed, or hurried away by his own weakness
or self-delusions, any more than by other mems
art nor even to be disheartened by the most COM
plicated difficulties, any more than to be spoiled
on the giddy heights of fortune-such was this
great man-whether we regard him sustaining
alone the whole weight of campaings. all but des-
Perate, or glorlously terminating just warfare
by his resources and his courage-presiding over
the Jarring elements of his political council, alike
deaf 10 the storms of all extremes-or directing
the formation of a new government for great
people, the first time that so vast an experiment
had ever been tried by manor finally retiring
from the supreme power to which his virtue had
raised him over the nation he had created, and
whose destinies he had guided as long as his aid
was required-retirng with the veneration of all
parties, of all nations, of all mankind, in order
that the rights of men might be conserved, and
that his example never might be appealed to by
vulgar tyrants. This is the consummate glOryof
the great American; triumphant warrior where
the most sanguine had right TO despair; suc-
cessful ruler in all the difficulties of a course
wholly untried; but warrior, whose sword only
left It's sheath when the first law of our nature
command it TO be drawn; and ruler who, having
tasted OF supreme power, gently and unostentati-
ously desired that the cup might pass from him,
nor would suffer more to wet his lips than the
most solemn and sacred duty to his country and
his God required!
"To his latest breath did this greatpatriot main.
tain the noble character of captain the patron of
peace, and q statesman the friend of Justice
Dying, he bequeathed tohs heirs the sword which
he had worn in the war liberty, chargingthem
"never to take it from the scabbard but in self
defence, or in defence of their country and her
freedom; and commanding them, that when it
should thus De drawn, they should never Fsheath
nor ever give itup, but prefer falling with it in
their hands TO the REIMBURSEMENT thereof''-
words, the majesty and simple eloquence of
which are not surpassed in the oratory of Athens
and Rome. 1t will be the duty of the historian
and the sage in all ages to omit no occasion of
commemorating this ilIustrious man; and until
time shall be no more will test of the progress
which our race has made in wisdom and in virtue
be derived from the veneration paid to the i'm
mortal name Of Washington"