The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-07-26
sions to scholarship, and had no opportunities

SlOIlS W etAlCl httO lLO
for extensive reading.
1t was not the power of sparkling wit or
glowing rhetoric. Though long associated
with deliberative bodies, he never made set
speech in his life, nor ever mingled in a
stormy debate.
1t was not the power of personal fascina-
ton. There was little about him of that gra-
cious affability which sometimes lends such
resistless attraction to men of commanding
position. His august presence inspired more
of awe than Of affection, and his friends,
numerous and devoted as they were, were
bound to him rather by ties of respect than of
love.
1t was not the power of daring and des-
perate spirit of heroic adventure. "If lever
said So" replied Washington, when asked
whether he had said that there was something
charming in the sound of whistling bullet !;
"if ever said So it was when / was young"
He had no passion for mere exploits. He
sought no bubble reputation in the lannon's
mouth. With courage never questioned
and equal to every eXigency, he had yet ga
wisdom which did guide his volor to act in
safety"
In what, then, did the power of Washing
ton consist? When Patrick Henry returned
home from the first Continental Congress,
and was asked who was the greatest man in
that body he replied, off you speak of elo-
quence, Mr.. Rutledge of South Carolina is
the greatest orator; but if you speak of solid
information and sound Judgment, Col. WASH
ington is by far the greatest man on that
floor"
When, fifteen years earlier, Washington, at
the close of the Freuch war, took his seat for
the first time in the House of Burgesses of
Virginia, and vote Of thanks was presented
to him for his military services to the Colony,
his hesitation and embarrassment was relieved
by the speaker, who said, Sit down, Mr..
Washington; your modesty equals your vol
or, and that surpasses the power of any Ian
guage that possess"
But it was not solid information, or sound
Judgment, or even that rare combination of
surprising modesty and valor, great as these
qualities are, which gave Washington such
hold on the regard, respect, and confidence
of the American people. l hazard nothing
in saying that it was the high moral elements
of his character which impaired to it its pre-
bordering force. His incorruptible honesty,
his uncompromising truth, his devoted reli-
ance on God, the purity of his life, the scru-
pulousness of his conscience, the disinterested-
ness of his purposes, his humility, generosity
and jnetiee--these were the ingredients which,
| blending tremendously with suiiu init. ...s,;..>
and sound judgment and a valor only equalled
by his modesty, made up character to which
the world may be fearlessly challenged for a
"Labor to keep alive in your breast that
little spark of celestial fire, conscience" was
one of a series of maxims which Washington
framed or copied for his own use when boy.
His rigid adherence to principle, his stead
fast discharge of duty, his utter abandonment
of self. his unreserved devotion to whatever
Interest were committed to his care, attest
the more than vestal vigilance with which he
obeyed that maxim. He kept alive that spark.
He made it shine before men. He kindled it
into a flame which illumined his whole life.
No occasion was so momentous, no circum-
stances so minute, as to absolve him from fol-
lowing its guiding ray. The marginal ex-
Dlanation in his account book, in regard to
the expenses Of his wifc's second visit to the
camp during the Revolutionary War, with
his passing allusion to the " self-deniaP' which
the exigencies of his country had cost him,
furnishes charming Illustration of his habit
ual exactness. The fact that every barrel
of flour which bore the brand of George
; Washington, Mount Vernon" was exempted
from the otherwise uniform inspection in the
West India ports-that name being regarded
as an ample guaranty of the quality and guam
tity of any article to which it was affixed
supplies a not less striking proof that his ex-
: actness was everywhere understood.
Everybody saw that Washington sought
1 nothing Cor himself Everybody knew that
he sacrificed nothing to personal or to party
. ends. Hence, the mighty influence, the
matchless sway which he exercised over oil
. around him. "IIe was the only man in the
+ United States who possessed the confidence
of all, (said Thomas Jefferson J there was nc
: other one who was considered more than &
S party leader"
: Who ever thinks of Washington as mere
+ politician Who ever associates him witt
the petty arts and pitiful intrigues of partisan
: of1ice-seekers or partisan ohicc-holders? Who
e ever pictures him canvassing for votes, deal
. ing out prescription, Or doing out patron.
h age
= "No part of my Duty" wrote Washington
C to Governor Bowdoin, in letter, the still
n unpublished original of which is precious
e inheritance of my own: "No part of my
S duty will be more delicate, and in many in
/ stances more unpleasant than that Of nomi
n mating and appointing persons to office. i
e will undoubtedly happen that there will be
|, several candidates for the same Office, whose
n prctensions, abilities and integrity may be
= nearly equal, and who will come forward SC
equally supported in every respect as almos
: to require tho aid of supernatural intuition
|, to fix upon the right I shall, however, in al
d events, have the satisfaction to reflect that
l. entered upon my administration unconineC
y by single engagement, uninhuenccd by any
C ties of blood or friendship, and with the bes
IL intention and fullest determination to nomi
If nate to office those persons only who, upor
t. every consideration, were the most deserving
1t and who would probably execute their seve
y raj functions to the interest and credit of the
l. American Union-if such characters could be
found hv my exnlorinr everv avennn of in