Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-07-09
WAsHENGTON'S VISION.
By WESLEY BRADSHAW

BY WESLEY BRADSHAW.
The last time | ever saw Anthony Sher-
man was on the 4ih of July, 1859, in In
dependence Square. He was then ninety
one. and becoming very feeble but though
so cid, his dimming eyes re-kindled as he
looked at independence Hall, which, he
said, he had come to gaze on once more be-
fore he was gathered home.
What time is ?'' said he, raising his
trembling eyes to the clock in the steeple,
and endeavoring to shade the former with
a shaking band-"what time il it" /
can't see so we'll now as l used to-"
"Half-past three"
Come, them" he continued, 'let us GO
into the Hall; | want to tell you an Incl
dent of Washington's life-one which no
one alive knows of except myself, and if
you live, you will, before long see it verri-
fec. Mark me, am not superstitions. but
you will see it verified"
Reaching the visitors room, 10 which
the sacred relics ofsonr sssly aass arepre
served, we sat down upon one of the old
fashioned wooden benches, and mySEener-
able friend related to me the following sim
gular narrative, which, from the peculiar
ity of our national affairs at the present
time, have been induced to give to the
world. give it, as nearly as possible, in
his own words:
"When the bold action of our Congress,
in asserting tue Independence of the colo-
MES, became known in the world, we were
laughed and scotfeG at as silly, presumptu,
GUS rebels, whom Baitish grenadiers would
soon tame into submission but, undaunt-
m 70 L
said. The keen encounter came, and the
world knows the result. 1t is easy and
pleasant for those of the present generation
to talk and write of the days of Seventy
Six, but they little know-neither can
they imagine-the trials and suferings of
those fearful days. And there is one
thing that l much fear, and that is, that
the American people do not properly APP
preciate the boon of freedom. Party spirit
is now becoming stronger and stronger,
and, unless it is checked, will, at no dis
tant day, undermine and tumble into ruins
the noble structure of our Republic. But
let me hasten to my narrative"
From the opening of the Revolution,
we experienced all phases Of fortune-now
good and now Ill, at one time victorious,
and at another conquered. The darkest
period we had, however, was, l think,
when Washington, after several reverses,
retreated to Valley Forge, where he re-
solved to pass the winter of III. Anil
have often seen the tears coursing down
our dear old commanders care worn
cheeks as he would be conversing with a
confidential officer about the condition of
his poor soldiers. You have doubtless
heard the story Of Washington going to
the thicket to pray. Well, it is not only
true, but he used often to pray in secret
for aio and somfort from that God the in
terpOsitiOn of whose divine providence
alone brought US safely through those dark
days of tribulaton.
"One day, remember it well-the chilly
wind whistled and howled though the sky
was clOudless Bnd the sun shining BRIGHTLY
he remained in his quarters nearly the
whole of the afternoon, alone. When he
came out, l noticed tina. his face was a
shade pGler than usual, and that there
seemed to he something On his mind of
more than ordinary importance Return
ing just after dusk, he dispatched an ord
erly to the quarters ofthe officer mention
ed, who was presently in attendance. AT,
ter a preliminary conversation, which last
ed some half an hour, Washington gazing
upon his companion with that strange look
OF dignity which he alone could command.
said to the latter:
81 do not know whether it was owing
to the anxiety Of my mind, or what. but
this afternoon, as | was sitting at this very
table, engaged in preparing a dispatch,
something in the apartment seemed TO dis
turb me. Looking up, beheld, standing
exactly opposite me, singularly beautiful
female. So astonished was for | had
given strict orders not to be disturbed
that 1t was some moments before | found
language to inquire the cause Of her pres
ence. a second third, and even a fourth
time did repeat the question, but received
no answer from my mysterious visitor 9th
er than slight raising Of her eyes. BY
this time felt strange sensation spread
ing through me. l would have risen. but
the rivited gaze of the being before me
rendered vo!ition impossible. | essayed
once more TO address her, but my tongue
had become paralyzed. A new influence
mysterious, potent, Irresistible, took pos
session of me. All could do was to gaze
steadily, vacantly, at my unknown visitant
Gradually, the surrounding atmosphere
seemed as though becoming filled with
sensations, and grew luminous. Every
thing about me seemed to ratify, the mys-
FERROUS visitor herself becoming more airy
and yet even more distinct to nv sigh
than before. l now began to feel as one
! dying, or rather to experience the sensa,
tons which l have sometimes imagined &C
| compauying dissolution. | did not think
! did not reason, | did not move; all were
| alike impossible. ! was only conscious o.
gazing, fixedly, vacantly at my compun
! ions.
Presently heard a voice, saying, .'Sot
/ Of the Republic, look and learn I" while a
| the same time, my visitor extended be-
arm and forfnger eastwardly. | now be-
| held heavy white vapor at some distance
rising fold upon fold. This gradually dis
sipated, and looked upon strange scene
Before my lay stretched out in one vas
! plain all the countries of the world-Eu
rope, Asia, Africa and America. | saw
! rolling and tossing between Europe ant
America, the pillows of the Atlantic, ant
between Asia ard America lay the Pacific
"SOn of the Republic" said the same mys
ferrous voice as before, "iook aud learn =
At that moment beheld dark, shad
owy being like an angel, standing, or rath
er floating in mid air between Europe ant
America. Dipping water out of the oceal
in the hollow of each hand, while be cas-
upon Europe some with his left, emmedi
ately dark cloud arose from each of thes
countries, and joined in mid ocean. For
while it remained stationary, and the
moved slowly westward, until it envelope,
America in its murky folds. Sharp fashe
of lightning now cleaned throughout it a
intervals, and heard the smothered groan
and cries of the American people.
A second time the angel dipped from tn
ocean, aud sprinkled it cut as before. Tn
dark cloud was then drawn back to tn
ocean, into whose heayipg waves it sun
from view. \ third time l heard a mys
FERROUS voice, saying, "SOn of the Repub
lie, look and learn"
cast my eyes upon America, and be
t...I- =.