The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-10-23
Edward Everetrs Life of WASH
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We append the concluding paragraphs
Of Mr.. Everett's mamoir, as furnishing
at once specimen of the style, and
some very sensible remarks upon the
subject Of Genius, by way of defining that
much misunderstood word, and justify
ing its application to GENERAL WASH.
INGToN: -. r.,.,
Akin to the argument against his
military capacity, is the question wheth.
er, generally speaking, Washington was
man of genius--a question not to be
answered till that word is explained. -
DR.. johnson calls it that power which
constitutes poet, and in that accepta-
tion Washington certainly was not en-
dowed with It, As little did he possess
the genius of the orator, the man of let.
ters, the sculptor, the painter, the muSi.
clan. The term is so habitually, not to
say exclusively, appropriated to that ma.
tive power. which enables man to excel
in science, literature, Ond the fue arts,
that those who are destitute of it in these
departments are often declared to want
it altogether.
But there is genius Of political and
military skill-of social influence, oi
personal ascendancy, of government o
genius for practical utility-a moral ge'
MUS of true heroism, of unselfsh patri.
otism, and of stern public integrity,
which is as strongly marked an endow.
ment as those gifts Of intellect, imagin-
alton and taste, which constitute the
poet or artist. Without adopting Vir.
giPS magnificent but scornful contrast
between scientific and literary skill, on
the one hand, and those masterful arts
on the other, by which victories are gain.
ed and nations are governed, we must
still admit that the chieftain who, in
spite Of obstacles the most formidable
and vicissitudes the most distressing
conducts great vars TO successful issues
that the statesman who harmonizes
angry parties in peace, skillfully moder.
ateS the counsels of consistent assem-.
blies, and, without the resources of rhet.
oric, but by influence mightier than au.
thority, secures the formation and organ.
ization of governments, and, in their ad'
ministration, establishes the model fol-
Official conduct for oil following time, is
endowed with q divine principle OF
thought and action, as distinct in its
kind as that of DemostbeDes or Milton.
1t is the genius of q consummate man
hood. Analysis may describe its mani
feStations in either case, but cannot de.
fine the ulterior principles, tits final
element of character.
We may speak Of prudence, puuctu.
aIity and self,control, of bravery and
disinterestedneSs, as we speak of an eye
for color and perception Of the grace
full in the painter, a sensibility to the
sublime, the pathetic, and the beautiful
in discourse; but, behind and above all
these, there must be creative and anima.
ting principles; at least as much in char.
acter as in intellect or art. The quail
ties which pertain to genius are not the
whole Of genius in the one case any more
than the other. The arteries, the lungs,
and the nerves are essential to life, but
they are not life self;-that higher
something which puts all the organic
functions of the frame in motion. In
the possession of that mysterious quality
of character, manifested in o long lif'
of unambitiouS service, which, called by
whatever name, inspires the confidence
commands the respect, and wins the of.
fection OF contemporaries, and grows up
on the admiration of successive genera.
tions, forming standard to which the
merit of other men is referred, and lv.
ing proof that pure patriotism is not q
deusion, nor virtue an empty name, nc
ono Of the sons of men has equalled
GEORGE WASHINGTON.