The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-03-24
WASHINGTON.
EAtrAa nom Hunter. ore,ion i, RicAmqra

But pass from Washington the soldier to
Washington the statesman. from the rude
scenes and bloody strife OF war TO scarcely
less trying difficulties in peace. follow him
as he passes from the ahxieties of the hot
pursuit, the hardy fight, the long-drawn
march. the night alarm. to the not less pain
lul task Of harmonizing conflicting elements
in society, and constructing out Of the RUNS
Of the old a new political system, which
might suit the peculiar circumstances of the
case, and satisfy the aspirations OF people
so anxious for free institutions as were his
countrymen. II is far more common to find
amongst great military men the capacity to
destroy old social systems than the organ
izing genius which can create order out OF
chaos, and devise institutions which are
adapted to the wants and national character
OF people. There have been none who SO
thoroughly completed this great round Of
human achievement as George Washington.
During the war he himself had formed the
great central point Of union, in whom were
repnsed a common love and confidence,
which enabled him to command and direct
the common exertions for the equal benefit
of all. During that period there had been
for all essential purposes unity Of will, be-
cause it was his will which governed. NOT By
force or law, but Through the rare and ex-
allied virtues Of his character. When he
resigned his commission, that bond of union
was gone and the work of disiLtegration com
menced. A loose confederacy, whose Gov
eminent wanted the power TO secure even
those interests which were common, called
in vain for the means Of sustaing Its credit
and redeeming the sacred obligations Of the
Revolution. The separate States each act d
upon its individual policy and without Just
regard to the interests Of its neighbours. The
elements Of great social strength and happi-
ness were wasting around them, and tie Dr,l
hopes for human freedom and progress which
the world as vet had seen were threatened
with annihilation.
OF all the public men Of the
day, be alone had moral influence enough Il
rule in such crisis and by rare GOMEZ.
dence, if not by a Providential direction Oi
events, his Of all the characters known TO his.
tory was best adapted and most admirably
constituted to encounter successfully til,
difficulties over which he triumphed. But I,
do this, although more sensitive Oy natur,
than most men, be sacrificed all bis srnsi.
bilities upon the altar 81 his couutry's good
/ For their own sakes he submitted like mar
OF iron TO the Bullets Of those he loved, aud
memorable 70 all but calls Of duty aud pa.
1 tri0tism, he moved like some minister o.
I fate, in all the patient fortitude Of might,
/ spirit, TO the Accomplishment OF his own higl
purposes, which lie fulfilled BY laying broa,
and deep the foundations Of fabric com
bning more &c social strength and humai
happiness than any which had been conceiy
ed before. Oh. rare spectacle! Oh, mos
wonderful man Who before, through Ion.
career Of unparalleled difficulties aud trials
! has ever presented 50 sublime or so constant
an example Of patient iortitude and Of i'm
pvrturbable magnanimityi Superior TO al
misfortune and quailing under no reverse, b
was the master 81 every occasion.
The yery constitution Of his Cabinet ga,,
evidence ~ his peculiar genius and his owl
consciousness Of power. lie sought no uni
Cabinet, according TO the set phrase Of sue
ceeding times. lie asked no suppression 0
sentiment; no concealnent Of opinion b
exhibited no mean Jealousy Of high talent il
others, seeking for inferior instruments be
cause hucn ONLY NJ Couiu eNptEt 70 COinthdnu
But he gathered around him the create.
public men Of their day, and some Of them ;
be ranked with the greatest men Of any DAY
fe did not leave Jefferson and Hamilto
without the Cabinet, 20 shake perhaps III
whole fabric Of Government in their fere
wars and riyalries, bot he took them within
where he himself might arbitrate their dis
! putes a. they arose, and turn to the best &C
count for the country their Suggestions 4
. they were made. Either Of these great mind
was perhaps more inventive than bis owl
. but he had the rarer and higher faculty /
judgment, which enabled him 10 perceiy
truth however and wheresoeyer presented
, and which held with an imperturbable han
and an unfaltering eye the airy balances !
which are weighed the suggestions Of huma
. reason. Il is this, after all. which eonstituts
! the greatest faculty Of statesman. becsus
il enables him 70 gather tribats from n
universal mind, srd % eommsn1 rstoufes