Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-08


| whom the world over-eadmate 10 debt. And
higher hoier SILL the guardianship 50 sgnally mani
tested in more than Of his life ~By the alpow-
eruI dspenssons Of Providence" Washington him
self to his veneied parent after Braddock defeat have
been protected beyond all human probability expectation
for had four bullets through my and
under yet escaped unhun, although death level
i ling my companions every side Of me-" Well did the
eloquent pastor Of neghborng parish, bis return point
out to the public that heroic youth, Colonel Washing
ton whom ays he but hope Providence has hith
erto preserved in signal for important
| vice TO the country"
And less natural less striking the testimony Of
the Indian chief who told Washington, fifteen years after
wars that at the battle OF the Monographs he had sin
gled him out as conspicuous object had fred his rifle at
him many times and directed bis young warriors to do the
same, but that, to his astonishmeni none of their
balls took effect that he then persuaded that the
youthful hero under the special guardianship Of the
Great Spirit, and immediately ceased fire him; and
shat he now pay homage to the who was
the particular favoe of Heaven and who could never die
| . in battle"
Our Revolutionary fathers had many for adoring
the invisible hand by which they guided and guarded in
their great struggle for liberty but none, stronger than
this provdena preparation and preservation Of their destined
Chief Be it to poong that anthem of gratitude which
may be heard from their lips The grave
praise Thee death cannot celebrate Thee but the
living, the living, they shall praise Thee, do this
dayw a.stt
or the public services Of WAsHIssToS to our own coun-
try for which he thus prepared and preserved, it is
enough say that in the three great epochs Of national
history he stands forth peemnent and peerless the
spirit Of the time.
In the war Of the Revolution we see him the leader of our
armies.
In the formation Of the Constitution we see him the Pres
dent Of our Councils.
In the organization Of the Federal Government him
the Chief Magistrate Of our Republic.
Indeed from the memorable day when under the unheard
but by nauspcous salute of both British and Anne
rcan batteries engaged in hoyday exercise Bunker
Hill unanimously resolved that George Washington,
having been chosen commander chief such forces as are
shall be raised for the maintenance and preservation Of
American liberty, this Congress doth declare that they
will maintain and assist him, and adhere him, the said
George Washington, with their lives and fortunes in the
same !" from this ever-memorabe nth Of June,
l775a day which las has been well sad) Providence
kept balance with the cause and while it took from
us Warren gave US Washington-to the 18th day Of De-
ceber $780, when he died. we shall search the annals Of
land in for any important in which be was any
thing less than the principal figure.
Il is, however, the character of Washington and not the
part which he played which would hold up this day
to the world worthy Of endless and universal commemora
ton. The highest official distinctions may be enjoyed and
the important public services rendered. by men whose
lives will endure examination. It is the glory Of Wash
ngton that the virtues Of the outshone the bancy
Of his acts and that the results which he accomplished were
only the legitimate exempcatons of the principles which
| he proiessed and cherished.
hsforv
any be found who has exerted more controlling
influence and over than George ashington
To what did be that influence How did he win, how
did he wield that magic power, that majestic authority,
the minds and hearts Of his countymen and of mankind
In what did the power of Washington consist
twas not the power Of vas, learning varied requirements
He made preensons to scholarship and had no oppou-
mites for extensive reading.
twas not the power Of sparkling wit glowing rhetoric.
Though long associated with deberave bodies he never
made set speech in his life, mingled in stormy
/ debate.
not the power of personal fascination There was
little about him Of that gracious aabty which sometimes
lends such ressess attraction of commanding posi-
ton. His august presence inspired Of than Of
affection, and bis friends and devoted they werc
bound TO him rather by ties Of respect than love-
was not the power Of daring and desperate spirit Of
HoiuS auscusuic. ever sdu repleu Wasnlngt0n,
when asked whether be had said that there was something
charming in the sound Of whsng bullets "if ever said
il was when young" He had passion for mere
exploits. He sought bubble reputation in the lannon's
mouth. With courage questioned, and equal every
exgency, he had yet ga wisdom which did guide his valor
TO act in safety"
In what, then, did the power Of Washington consist
When Patrick Henry returned home from the first coninen-
tai Congress, and asked who the greatest man in
that body be replied you speak Of eloquence Mr. Rot
ledge Of South Carolina is the greatest orator but II you
speak Of solid information and sound judgment COL Wash
ngton is by far the greatest man that floor"
When, fifteen years earlier Washington, the close Of
the French war, bis seat for the first time in the House
Of Bugess Of Virginia, and Of thanks presented
to him for his military services the Colony his hesitation
and embarrassment relieved by the Speaker, who sad
est down. Mr.. Washington your modesty equals your
Or and that surpasses the power Of any language that
possess"
But II was not solid information or sound judgment
even that combination Of surprising mojcy and vso,
great these qualities are which gave Washington such
hold the regard respect and confidence Of the American
people hazard nothing in saying that il the high
moral elements OF his character which impaired its pre-
ponderang force Hir ncouuptble honesty, his uncompro
missing truth, his devout reliance God the purity Of his
life, the scrupuousness Of his conscience the dsnecsted
nes Of his purposes, his humanity, generosity, and Justice
- .