The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-03-24

far more various and mexhaustible than those
which could be furnished by any one man,
however gifted he might be. do not mean
to say that his Judgment was infallible, or
that accord, at this day, with every mea-
sure ofhis Administration aud yet, with all
my admiration of Jefferson, and with all my
partiality tor bis general scheme of politics,
must say that the policy Of Washington,
when viewed with its connecting circum-
stance, was the mastery work Of a statesman,
great in his own day, aHd who would have
been great in any time and IN any, land
which be might have been called to rule.
1t is TO be remembered that he was the
pioneer in one of the greatest fields of human
experiment which has ever tried the power
Of man. Every thing was new, nothing had
been explored. New and untried theories OF
/ government were afoat. Nations were in
strange positions. of which history had no ex-
amp.es. and for whose proper treatment ex-
perience furnished no rules. On one cont.
nent the fountains Of the great deep Of human
passion had been broken up, and were sweep
ing away so MANY Of the barriers which had
been raised by laws, ordinances, and govern
ments, that it was difficult to say how much
would probably survive the general wreck.
On another young people were setting out
ON new career, and under circumstances
unknown hitherto to civilized society. Its
interests and sympathes were those OF the
forest, but its traditions and lessons OF ex-
periepce we're drawn from the old world,
from whence il sprung. Nature led them in
one direction, whilst education pointed TO
| annthar ~ nanpIa
By these old world traditions would have been
to take from David bis sling and to clothe him
in the armor of Saul. No man saw this
more clearly than Washington, or felt more
deeply the necessity for burning the ships to
cut OF all hope OF return 10 systems which
had been LEFT behind them. The rules for
their government were to be suggested by
the occasion which required them. he law
OF their sei-deyelopment must depend. after
all, upon the peculiar circumstances which
attended it. 81 want" said he. an Ameri-
can character. that the powers in Europe may
be convinced We act for ourselves, and not
Others" Accordingly, after having estsb
lished securely the government credit. and
organized the great arm OF the public service
so as TO command respect abroad and Inspire
confidence at home, he cut loose from all
embarrassing and eatangllIg alliances with
the political systems OF Europe, and, turning
I the head Of the American column TO the will
/ derness, he directed it upon that indepen-
\ dent career OF self-developnent which has
made Us what We are. And yet how much
dad il cost han to establish that great princi-
pie OF non-inter,entlon in foreign affairs
4 which was necessary to secure Us th0se OPP
portunities which We have used to such adj
vantage On the one hand he was to hold
in cheek the aggressive spirit of powerful
4 nations abroad. aud un the other he must en-
counter the surging waves Of popular violence,
which had arisen 50 high that none but he
could have breasted them. In vain the roar
of the people came up demanding TO be as
signed a place in the great melee Of nations
which was going on around them. Calm and
unmoyed, he held fast against the press Of
this angry throng the door OF the temple Of
war through which alone they could have
passed to the accomplishment Of their pur-
pose. A commanding spirit. his voice alone
could have settled the raging fury Of that
storm.
lie conquered peace for others; but 70 do
it he encountered tie shock Ofwar, and war
which, Of all others, was the most craslin its
consequences upon himself for il was a war
upon the popularity won BY tie bar! server
d anxious years, and upon his supremacy IN
the affections Of people whose love he priced
beyond all earthly considerations. u struck
the .oul and not the body ; IL was wounded
spirit which he bore, without one word Oi
complaint or reproach 10 those whose ingra-
tItude had caused ii. Nor did he relax the
reins until he had discharged all his duties
aud iuliiled his high purposes, When he
, did lay them down he left IL 70 posterity 10
defend his memory, and to his oN n deeds TO
ylndIeate themselves by their consequence
"a NOBLE confidence which experience has
shown 70 have been not unmisely bestowed.
He left order shere he had found confusion.
, harmony instead Of di,eord, Government
. OF Law where he had found one of influence,
and for divided coInsels and the weakness 81
separate action in the States lie substituted
, union of them al, and combined a sufficient
strength to accomplish the purposes Of their
general welfare and their common g1od The
/ constitution was placed IN his hands dry
parchment. skeleton firm. Iie brea,hed
, into that iorm the lite winch gave it motion,
aud organized a social system which was
ftted 10 the healthy discharge ~ all the lunc.
tiOns that are necessary 70 high aud pro.
gressi,e civilization. Well might lie leave
u TO such deeds iJr themselves. aud to pos.
!, teriiy, to assign him his rank aud his order
amongst the great names which are the con.
| secrated objects Of human love and admira.
ton IN the pantheon q history.
] s~>e.~>>>>>.>~@~>S>~.
MIR. IRiTTENDEN.
We.xtr.ct III. l,,lto,y,,,,. ,......s r..,, "A /.