Weekly Clarksville chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 185?-1857, 1857-06-19
CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON.

portrait of the Pdter Pdtre:
In the volumes here concluded We have
endeayored to narrate faithfully the career
of Washington from childhood, through
his early surveying expeditions in the
wilderness, his diplomatic mission to the
French Postson the frontier his campaigns
in the French war, his arduous trials as
eommander-in chief throughout the Revo-
luton, the noble simplicity of his life in
retirement, until we have shown him eIe-
waited to the Presidential chair; by no eff
fort of his own, in manner against his
wishes, by the unanimous vote of CRATE
ful country. 1agl5 @ tsbIrrs
The plan of our work has necessarily
carried US widely in the campaigns Of the
Revolution, even where Washington was
not present in person; for his spirit perva-
ded and directed the whole, and a general
knowledge of the whole is necessary to ap-
preeiate the sasacity, forecast, enduring
fortitude aud comprehensive wisdom with
which he conducted it. He himself has
signifed to one who aspired to write his
biography that any memoirs of his life dis
tinct and unconnected with the history Of
the war would be unsatisfactory In trea-
ting of the Revolution, we have endeavor-
ed to do justice 20 what we consider its
most striking characteristic-the greatness
ofthe object and the scantiness of the
means. We have endeayored to keep in
view the prevailing poverty Of resources,
the scandalous n2glects, the squalid mise
ries # all kinds, with which its champions
had to contendin thcirexppditions through
trackless wildernesses or thinly peopled
regions; beneath scorching suns or inclem-
ent sfies; their wintry marches, to be traced
by bloody Footprints on snow and ice their
desolate wintry encampme is, rendered
still more desolate by nakedness and fam
inc. 1t was in the patience and fortitude
with which these ills were sustained by q
half disciplined yeomanry, voluntary ex-
lies frsmg their homes, destitute of all
the ''pomp and circumstance of war to ex-
cite them, and animated solely by their
patriotism, that we read the noblest and
most affecting characteristics Of thatgreat
struggle for rhuman rights. They dowrong
I
to its moral grandeur who seek by common.
place exaSgeration to givea melo- -dramic
efleota false glare to its military opera
tons, and to place its greatest triumphs
in the conflicts of the field. Lafayette
showed a true sense of the nature of the
struggle when Napoleon, accustomed to
effect ambitious purposes by hundreds oil
thousands of troops and tens of thousands
of slain, sneered at the scanty armies OF
the American Revolution and its 'boasted
battles" Sire was the admirable and
comprehensive reply, "it was the grandest
of causes won by skirmishes of sentinel;
and outposts,"
In regard to tho character and conduc
of Washington, we have. endeavored to place
his deeds in the clcarest light, and lef
them to speak for themselves, generally
avoiding comment or oulogium. We have
quoted his own words and writings large
ly,to explain his feelings and motives anC
give the true key to his policy; for neyet
did man leave a more truthful mirror o
his heart and mind, and more thorough
exponent of his conduct than he has lef
in copious correspondence. There hi
character is to be found in Hits maiesti
simplicity, its massive grandeur, and quie
colossal strength. He was no hero Of ro
imanee; there was nothing of romantic he
roism in his nature. AS a warrior he Wa
incapable of fear, but tmade no merit of de
Lying danger. He fought for a cause, no
for personalrenown. Gladly, when he ha,
won the cause, he hung up his sword, new
er again to take it down, Glory, that bla
tant wordwhich haunts some military mind
like the blay of the trumpet, formed n
part of his aspirations. To act justly wa
his instinct, to promote tho public veal hi
constant effort, to deserve the affection
of good men his highest ambition. Wit
such Qualifications for the pure exercise .
sound Judgment and comprehensive wis
dom, he assembled the Presidential chair.
! There for the present we leave hin
so far our work is complete, comprehend
ing the whole military life of Washingto
and his agency in the public affairs up t
the formation of our Cosstitution, Ho'
well we have have executed il we leave t
the public TO determine, hoping to find j