Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-10-12
a Lesson From History.

Strange as it seems now, no man has
ever lived in America who was more
thoroughly denounced and abused than
Geoge Washington was at one time. 1t
was not at all likely that such a charac-
ter should appear at any period above
the public horizon, and especially a. pc
riod of great political CONFUSION, with
out exciting jealousy, misconstruction,
envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharita-
bleness. We defy any public mar to
pass through the world without enemies
who discharges his duties without fear,
favor, or affection. George Washing
ten, whilst his shoulders were broad
enough.to carry through such a war as
the American Revolution by his almost
unsupported strength, O6T- hfuiseir with
such proud dignity and reserve, held SO
tenaciously to his own convictions of
right, and had such an inaexible will Of
his own, that he was never, till he had
completed his great work, in much dan
ger of the Wo unto you when all men
shall speak. we'll of you," which the
Gospel ~pronounces. For seven long years
he toiled and struggled not only against
British arms, but against the detracti on,
and open and secret opposition of his
OWE countrymen. Not only. his politi-
cal, but his military character was as
persed it was said that he had never
gained a battle, that he was always re-
treating, and others were mentioned, who
were said to be much filter than him
self to lead the armies and guide the af-
fairs of. the State. Even some of his
W friends deserted him, and at one
time hiSmajestic form stood almost alone,
but still proudly erect, self-reliant and
heaven supported. Even after he had
delivered the nation from the house of
bondage, there were many to murmur
against him, as the 1sraelites did against
Moses, and as mankind in every age have
%murmhred against their greatest bene-
factors. He was accused of being in The
interest of the very country from which
h. had wrested the independence of
America, and of desiring to impose a
Government akin to monarchy Upon the
United States. All these assaults and
prosecutions, however, did TO damage
except to their authors, never disturbing
for moment the equanimity of him
against whoa they were aimed; but it
was not until death consecrated his labors
and his name that the tongue Of calumny
was hushed, and the clouds, which had
va'nly sought TO eclipse the mighty orb,
were scattered from his path, and were
compelled themselves to reflect the glo-
ry of the setting sun.
But the treatment received by Wash
ington-is by no means peculiar. 1.-The
multitude" as the eminent DR.. Blair
observed seventy years ago, "are always
prone to find fault with these who are
set over them and arraign thei, conduct;
and too often this spirit appears when
public dlngers ought to silence the voice
OF discomfort, and to unite every heart
and hand in the common cause" How
long the first Revolution was protracted
by the dissensions among its own friends,
and the want of confidence too often
manifested towards its illustrious Chief,
we can never know. Butthat the enemy
derived great aid and cemfort from these
unseemly and impolitic demonstrations
cannot be doubted. We who are ca.
barked in q second and more gigantic
Revolution should learn a lesson from
the past We are strong enough, il
united, to achieve u Independence
but the house that is divided against it,
sell cannot stand. At all eyents, if we
deslre that this war shall not be ever
longer than that of '76, we must work
together, knowing that in union is
strength. and that in diScord md h;ck