The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-06-10

Mann esesa Elcctisn-A RsRuAlican
Triu nPAi
The election for Delegates 70 the Constitu.
tional Convention in Minnesota hes resulted
in the choice Of So Republicans, 46 Blacl
Democrats, and four are still in doubt.
The amount Of illegal voting by the Pro-
Slaveryites in the river towns was frightful
but fraud wouldn'. save them. Minnesota
wheels into the Republican line.
The Character Of Wssh ington.
The closing chapter OF the fourth volume
Of Irving's Life OF Washington (soon to b
published) contains the annexed fine por,
trait OF the Pdfer PatriG;
In the volumes here concluded We have en-
deayorcd to narrate faithfully the career o
Washington from childhood, through hi.
early surveying expeditions in the wilderness
his diplomatic mission to the French post,
ON the frontier, his campaigns in the French
war, his arduous trials MS commander in
chief throughout the 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 manner
against his wishes, by the unanimous vote OF
y grateful country.
The plap OF our work has necessarily car
ried as widely into the campaigns Of the Rev
olution, even where Washington was not
present in person; for his spirit pervaded
and directed the whole, and a general knowl-
edge Of the whole is necessary to appreciate
the sagncity, forecast, enduring fortitude,
and comprehensive wisdom with which be
conducted it. lie himself has signi6ei to
one who aspired to write his biography that
any memoirs Of his life distinct and uncon-
nccted with the history of the war would be
unsatisfactory. In treating Of the Revolu-
ton, we have endsavored to do justice to
what We consider ito most striking character
istic--the greatness Of the object and the
scan,iness OF the means. We have endeav-
ored to keep in view the prevailing poverty
of resources, the scandalous neglects, the
the squalid miseries Of oil kinds, with
which its champions had TO contend in
their expeditions through trackless will
dernessss or thinly peopled regions = be-
meath scorching suns or Indictment skies
their wintry marches TO be traced by bloody
footprints on snow and ice their desolSte
wintry encampments, rendered still more des.
olate BY nakedness and famine. 1t was in
the patience and fortisude with which these
ills were sustained by alf-discirlined yeo-
many, voluntary exiles from their homes,
destitute Of oil the sspomp and circumstance
Of war to excite them, and animated solely
By their patriotism, that We read the noblest
and most affecting characteristics Of that
great struggle for human rights. They do
wrong to its moral grandeur who seek by
common place exsggeration to give melo-
dramatic effect and false glare to its military
operations, and to place its greatest triumphs
in the conflicts Of tue Geld. Lafayette showed
true sense Of the nature Of the struggle
when Napoleon, accustomed to effect ambi-
tious purposes by hundreds Of thousands Of
troops and tens Of thousands of slain, sneered
ut the scanty armies Of the American Revo-
luton and its ssboasted battles.o ssSirc,"
was the admirable and comprehensive reply,
sit was the grandest of causes won by skir-
mishes OF sentinels and outposts."
La regard to the character and conduct Of
Washington, We have endeavored to place
his deeds in the clearest light, and left them
To speak for themselves, generally avoiding
comment or culogium. We have quoted his
own words and writings largely to explain
his feelings and motives and give the true
key to his policy for never did man leave
q more truthful mirror of his heart and mind
and more thorough exponent Of his con-
duet than he has left in his copious CORES.
pondence. There his character is to be found
in ali its majestic simplicity, its massive gran
deur, and quiet colossal strength. lie was
no hero OF romance there was nothing Of
romantic heroism IN his nature. As u war
rior he was incapable Of fear, but made no
merit Of defying danger. He fought for q
cause, not for personal renown. Gladly,
when he had won the cause, he hung up his
sword never again TO take it d,wn. Glory,
that blatant word which haunts some mill
tary minds like the bray Of the trumpet,
formed no part Of his aspirations. To act
justly was his instinct, TO promote the public
veal his constant effort, to deserve the 'saf-
lection Of good mem his ambition. With
such qualifications for the pure exercise Of
sound judgment and comprehensive wisdom,
he ascended the Presidential chair.
There for the present We leave him. So
far our work is complete, comprchcnding the
whole military life Of Washington and his
agency in public affairs up to the formation
OF our Constitution. How well we have ex.
ecuted it weleaye TO the public to determine;
hoping to find it, as heretofore, fur more
easily satisfied with the result Of our labors
than We are ourselves. Should the measure
Of health and good spirits, with which u kind
Providence has blessed US beyond the usual
term of literary labor, be still continued, We
may 70 on, anu in another volume give the
Presidential career and closing life Of Wash
ington. In the meantime, having found u
resting place in our task, We stay our hands
lay by our pen, and seek that relaxation and
repose which gathering years require.
Perlcy Pratt. ~
The following account Of this sanctimoni