Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-07-04
Virginia VS.. Washington.

We mentioned in our last the injustice done
BY representative OF Virginia to the memo
nv Of Washington. Wishing to state this
more definitely, we looked over the history al
the times, and find that it was on occasion OF
| Washington's retirement from the Presidency.
though implored by almost all men of all
parties to remain.
Resolutions Of regret and tributes of thanks
were passed both in the Senate and the House;
but in the latter objections were made by Mr..
Giles of Va, to such parts of the address as
spoke of the wisdom and tirmness Of WASH
ington and regretted his retiring from Office.
He said he did not regret it, he did not con-
slider it a misfortune, he m ieved his want of
wisdom and tirmness had conducted the ma
ton to crisis threatening greater calamity
than any that had before occurred, and that
there were a thousand other citizens capable
of filing the Presidential chair. Probably
one of these thousand Mr.. Giles would have
found in Virginia. What pity the nation
did not appreciate that wisdom and iirmness,
which, If exhibited in the Presidential chair,
would have so far transcribed that of the LIST
President of the United States. But even
without this opportunity, he has immortal
ised himself for his candor and penetration,
in detecting aud exposing tho weakness of
Washington. though the world at large, and
the wsest and bravest men who have stud
led his life anu character for &C years past,
have been alike unable and unwilling to en-
dorse his verdict.
Another leading Virginian must we fear he
set down among the opponents Of Washing
ton, even Mr.. Jefferson though he rever had
the courage or caEdor to avow it MS Mr.. Giles
did. He only attacked Hamilton, though
Washington always took the chief response
bilty for the acts Of each department, and
warned jefferson that IN hindering these, he
was opposing him. Jefferson managed tore
tain Washngton's good opinion, and he ex
pressed his regret at Jcffersnn's retirement
from the cabinet, though his differences with
Hamilton had occasoned Washington great
lificulty and distress. But subsequent de-
even since the death Of all these
treat men, have shown that Jefferson was art |
Ill and insincere. Judge Marshall in his life |
If Washington referred to a letter of Jei1cr-
on 5 which was published in Florence, con-
aiming statements most unjust and injurious,
10Th to the character and administration of
Washington. After Marshal's life appeared,
Jefferson dcicd the authorship Of part Of
he letter, though he had suffered i. to be re-
published in France and America, without
ommcnt or contradiction. But Marshall, i'll
his second, edition says that Jefferson had
ieither denied nor rctracted the worst part of
he letter, but even in his recent writing had
epeated the charges that Washington be.
onged to ian Anglican, monarchial and ar
Stocratc party, whose Gro,ced object was to
lraw over lis the substance, as they had al
endy done the forms of the British govern
nent."
Such was the original state Of parties in
Virginia. but it is singular that the opponents
o the Constitution aud Government in our
lays, are themselves "thc monarchial and ar
stccratic party" in the South, as Mr.. Russell's
amous letter has shown. 1t is however pleas
mt to learn that there is u remnant il Israel
Who have not bowed the knee to 3aal. The
ordinance Of secession was only passed by
majority Of 50 to 55, and most respectable
,art OF the State has risen up as one man to
esist this illegal act What a mercy it is to
Western Virginia. that she can not only assert
he right of revolution, and Of secession too
against those who Glamour for both. but can
also claim the support and protection of that
Constitution which is 1.-THE supreme law of
.he land, anything in her own State govern
nent to the contrary notwithstanding"