Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-04-28
gathered the General and field officers to take
tha;

gathered the General and field officers to take
their farewell
Assembled there were Knox, Green, Steuben
Gates, Clinton, and others, who had served with
him faithfully and truly in the tented field =
but alas! where were others who had entered
the war with him seven years before? Their
bones crumbled in the soil, from Canada to Geor.
gia Montgomery had yielded up his life at
Quebec, Wooster, fell at Danbury, Woodruff
was barbariously murdered whilst prisoner at
the battle on Long Island, Mercer fell mortally
wounded at Princeton; the brave and chivalric
Laurens after displaying the most heroic cour-
age in the trenches at Yorktown, died in tri-
fling skirmish in South Carolina; the brave but
eccentric Lee was no longer living, and Putnam,
like helpless child, was stretched upon the bed
of sickness. Indeed, the battlefield and time
had thinned the ranks which entered with him
into the conflict.
Washington entered the room-the hour of
separation had come. AS he raised his eye and
glanced on the face of those assembled, a tear
coursed down his cheek, and his voice was trem-
ulous as he saluted them. Nor was he alone.
Men, "albeit unused to the melting mood" stood
around him, whose upifted hands, to cover their
brows, told that the tear which they in vain at
tempted to conceal, bespoke the anguish they
could not hide.
After moments conversation, Washington
called for a glass of wine. 1t was brought him.
Turning to his officers, he thus addressed them
"With heart full Of love and gratitude,
now take my final leave of you. Imost devout-
ly wish your latter days may be as prosperous
and happy as your former ones have been glo-
rious and honorable" He then raised the glass
to his lips, drank and added cannot come
to each of you to take my leave, but shall be
obliged to YOU if each of you will take me by
the hand"
General Knox, who stood nearest, burst into
tears, and advanced, incapable of utterance.-
Washington grasped him by the hand, and en-
braced him. The officers came up successfully
and took an affectionate leave No words were
spoken, but all was the "silent eloquence OF
tears" What were mere words at such scene
Nothing. 1t was the feeling of the heart-thrill-
ing, though unspoken.
When the last of the officers had embraced
him, Washington left the room, followed by his
comrades, and passed through the lines of the
light infantry. His step was slow and measured
his head uncovered, and the tears flowing thick
and fast, as he looked from side to side to the
veterans to whom he now bade adieu forever
Shortly an event occurred more touching than
all the rest. A gigantic soldier, who had fought
by his side at Trenton stepped forth from the
ranks and extended his hand.
"Farewell, my beloved General farewell!"
Washington grasped his hand in convulsive
emotion, in both of his. All discipline was now
at an end The officers could not restrain the
men as they rushed forward to take Washington
by the hand, and the sobs and tears of the sol
diers told how deeply engraven upon their affec
tions was the love of their commander.
AT length Washington reached the barge al
Whitehall, and entered it. At the first stroke
of the oars, he rose, and turning to the compan
ions of his glory, by waving his hat bade them
silent adieu Their answer was only in tears
and officers and men, with glistening eyes
watched the receding boat till the form of theil
noble commander was lost in the distance.
Contrast the farewell of Washington to his ar
my in Whitehall, in l783 and the adieu, in 1914
The one had accomplished every wish of his
heart. His noble exertions had achieved the In
dependence of his country, and he longed to re-
tire to the bosom of his home. His ambition
was satisfied. He fought for no crown or scep
tre, but for equality and the mutual happiness
of his fellow beings. No taint Of tyranny, no
breath Of slander, no whisper Of duplicity, mar.
red the fair proportions of his public or private
life; but
He was man take him for all in all,
We neer shall look upon his like again."
The other great soldier was the disciple OF
selfish ambition. He raised the iron weapon
of war to crush, only that he might rule. What
to him were the cries of the widows and or.
phans! He passed to throne by making the
dead bodies Of their protectors his stepping
stones. Ambition, self, were the gods of his
idolatry, and to them he sacrificed hecatombs
of his fellow men for the aggrandizement OF
personal glory. Enthusiasm points with fear.
full wonder to the name of Napoleon, whilst jus.
tice, benevolence, freedom, and all the concom.
infants which constitute the true happiness Of
man, shed almost divine halo round the name
and character of Washington.
ASHES AND LIME FOR PLUM TREEs.-I have
in my garden plum tree on which, for three
years past, not any portion of plums has beer
found
They were all bored or rotted, and fell from
the tree before they were ripe. Two or three
plum trees of different kind, which have borne
less shared the same fate. Last year young
tree which stood near an ash leach, and which
had never borne before, produced solitary plum
q tbot, al bo idaa th nj