Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-05-28
DAILY VIRGlNIAN.
The Character oS WWshin yssm.
..h..Ia az &c IL. Ionrth un.l

The closing chapter of the fourth volume OF
Irvinp,- Life Of Washington Gust publish
ed) contains the annexed fine portrait Of the Pa
ter Pafrios:
Ia the volumes here concluded we have en-
dcavored 10 narraie faithfully the character Of
Washington from childhood. through his early
surveying expeditions in the wilderness. his di-
ploma,ic mis- sion to tho French posts on tho
frontier his campaigns IN the French war. his
arduous trials MA commander in chief throughout
til. Revolution. the noble simplicity of his life in
retirement, until We have shown him elevated to
the Presidential chair, by no effort Of his own. in
n manner against his wishes, by the unanimous
vote of n grateful country.
The plan of our work has necessarily carried
us widely into the campaigns Of tho Revolution,
even whore Washington was not present in per-
son; for his spirit pervnded and directed the
whole and a general knowledge OF tho whole 10
necessary to appreciate the sngacity, forecast,
enduring forii,ude, and comprehensive wisdom
with which he conducted il. lie himself has
sgnfed to one vim asprcd to write bis bogra-
phy that any memoirs Of his liie distinct and
unconnect.d with the history Of the war would
be unsatisfactory. In treating Of the Revolution,
we have cndeavor.d To do Justice To what We
consider It's most striking oharaeteristics the
greatness Of the ohjcc, aud the scantiness Of the
mcnna W. have endravored To keep in view
the prevailing poverty of resources, the scandal
GU. neglect-; the squalid miseries IF all kinds,
with which its champions had to contend in their
expeditions through irackless wilderness or thin
" pcoprd regions; beneath scorching runs
inclcmont skies; their wintry marches TO be traced
b, bloody footprints on snow and ice; their DESC
l,o winiry encnmpm.nts, rendered still more
desol, to by nak-dnrss aud famine. Ii was in
the patience aud fortitude with which these ills
were sustained by u hnlf disciplined yeomanry.
voluntary eAiles from their homes, destitute Of
nIl the "pomp aud circumstance" of war to ex.
cite them, and animated solely by their patriot
ism. that ", rcad the poblest and most affecting
characteristics "f that great struggle for human
rights They do wrong TO it- moral grandeur
who seek by common place csaggeration to give
n melo dramatic effect and false glare 10 its mill
tary operations. and to pace its greatest t,iumphs
in the conflicts Of the feld.s Lafayette showed
n true sense of tho nature Of tho struggle when
Napoleon, accustomed to effect ambitious pur-
poses by hundreds Of thousands Of trQpps and
tens of thousands of slain. sneered st.,Af scanty
armies Of the American Revolution and its boast-
ed battles" Sire" was tho admirable and
comp,, hcnsive reply. ait was the frandest Of
causes won by skirmishos Of sontineis and Tout
posts" -
In reaard to the character and conduct Of
Washing ton wo have endeavored to ,ptace his
deeds in tho olearest light; and left them to speak
for themselves, generally avoiding comment or
enogium. We have quoted his own words md
writings largely to explain his feelings, shdsmo-
tives and give the true key to his poicys for new
ar did mnn leave more thorough exponent Of
his conduct thalobe has LETT in cppious cores
pondence. There his character is to be found
IN all lis majestic simplicity its massive grandeur
and quiet colossal strength He was no hero of
romance: there was nothing Of romantic herosm
in his nature. As a warrior he was incapable Of
fear but made no merit Of defyng danger. He
fought for cause not for personal renown.-
Gladly, whom he had won tho cause, he hung
up his sword, never again TO take 1t down. Glo-
ry thai blalnni word which haunts some militia
ry minds like the bay of tho trumpet formed
no pnlt, of his aspirations. To act justly was
his instinct to promote tho public veal his CON-
stant eiiort to deserve the affection Of good men
his AMBITION With such qualifications for tho
pure exercise of sound judgment and comprshen-
svc wisdom, he ascended the Presidential chair.
There for the present. W" leave him So far
our work is complete, comprehrndng the whole
military life of Washington and his agency in
public affairs up to the formation of our constitn-
tion. How well we have executed it we leave
to the public to determine; hoping To find it, as
heretofore, far more easily satisfied with the re-
suit of our labors than were ourselves
Should the measure Of health and good spirits
with which kind Providence has blessed US be-
yond the usual term of literary labor-be still
continued, we mny 60 on, and in another volume
give the Presidential career closing Life of Wash
ington. In the mean time having found a rest
ing place in our ta.k. we stay our hands, lay by
our pens, and seek that relaxation and repose
which gathering years require.