The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-12-25
Washington's Vision.
BY WESLEY BREADsIIAw.

The last time I ever saw Anthony Sbcr. G
man was on the 4th of July, in lndepend.
cnco Square, He was then ninety ono, and
becoming very feeble but though so old,
his trimming eyes re.kindled as no looked
at Independence Hall, which, he SAID, he
had come to gaze upon ouco more boforo he
was gathered home. ....-. .1
"What timo is il - asked he, raising his
trembling eyes to the clock in the steople,
and eudoavoring to shade tho former with o
shaking hand-"what time is i.i i cant
SEQ so well as used to-"
"llalfpast three" .... .r .-.
Come. thon." he continued, "let us 20
into tho Hall want to toll you of an in.
cident of Washingtous life--one which no
one alive ksows of except myself, and, II
you live. you will before long SEQ i verified
Reaching tho visitors room, 10 which the
sacred relics of our carly days arc preserved,
wo sat down upon ono Of the old fashioned
wooden benches, and my venerable friond
rotated to mo the following singular nara
tive, which, from the popularity Of our ma
tional affairs at the presout time, ! have
5een induced to givoto tho world. give
it, as nearly as possible, in bis own words
when tho bold action of our Congress in
asserting the independence of tho colonies,
became known to Tho world, we were laughed
and scoffed at as silly presumptuous rebels,
whom the British grcnaders would soon
tame into Submission but, undauntedly, we
prepared to mako good what we had said.
The keen encounter came, and the world
knows the result. is easy and pleasant
for those of tho present generation TO talk
and write OF tho days Of Seventy-six. but
they little know-neither can they imagine
/ tho trials and sufforings Of those fearful
! days. And there is one thing that much
fear. and that is, that the American people
do not properly appreciate the boon of free
dom. Party spirit is yearly becoming strong.
er and stronger. and, unless it is checked,
will at no distant day. undermine and tum.
BILE into ruins tho noble structure of the
Republic But lot me hasten TO my mar
rative: ....a..... .Ipa4fl ta .aast .a.E ..r
"From tho opening of tho Revolution, VIC
experienced all phases of offortune--now good
aud nov III. at ono time victorious, and OF
enother conquered. The darkest period we
had, however, was, think, when Washington
after several reverses, retired to Valley
Forge. where he resolved to pass the winter
of ~. Ah have often seen tho tear
coursing down his care.worn checks, as he
would be conversing with a confidential Of
ficer about the condition of his poor sol
, diers. You have doubtless heard the stor,
3 of Washington going to the thcket to pray
4 Well, it is not only truo. but he used to pra,
in secret for aid aud comfort from that God
tho interposition of whose providence ulon,
: brought us safely through those dark day,
Of trbulatior. ..... .. ...
"Oue day, / remember it well-the chill,
/ wiud whistled and howled through the leaf
less trees, though the sky was coudless anc
the sun shining brightly-he remained il
! bis quarters nearly tho whole afternoon
. alone. When be came outI noticed tha
d his face was shade palor than usual, ant
that there seemed TO bo something on hi
mind of more than ordinary Importance
y Returning just after dusk, be dispatched al
order to the quarters of the officer ! men
toned, who was presently in attendance
a After preliminary conversation, whic
l. lasted somo half an hour. Washington
J. gazing on his companion with that strang
y look of dignity which he alone could com
IT mand, said to the latter ....,. -u..
= Il do not know whether it was owing I
/ , tho anxiety of my mind, or what, but thI
] afternoon, us was sitting at this this yer
v table, engaged in preparing dispatch
g. something in ite department seemed
n disturb mo Looking up l beheld, standin
d exactly opposite mo. sngularly beautifi
J. female. So astonished was for l ha
IS given strict orders not to be disturbed-th;
~ it was some moments before found lal
:, guago to enquire the cause of her presenc
4 A second, third, and even fourth time d
n, l repeat the question, but received no ar
I'd swer from my mysterious visitor, other tha
ie a slight raising Of her eyes. BY this time
be felt "a strange sensation spreading throuG
m me. IwOuld have risen, but the rivctt
a gro of the being of tho being before n
III rendered vo'ition impossible. / essay
r, once moro to address her., but my tong,
- became paralyzed. A new Influence, my
A. torious, potent, irresistible, took possess
of me. All could do was to gaze stead
vacaDtly, 1t my unknown visitant. Ora
ually, tho esurrounuing atmosphere seemed
tho becoming filled with sensations, and gr,
ew luminous. Everything about me appear
So to rarity, tho mysterious visitor herself
led coming more airy, and yet even more d
oy, iinct to my gaze than before. l now
sis gan to feel as Que dying, or rather to {
her perience the sensations which havo son
uc- times imagined accompany dissolution.
rhe did not think, did not reason, did I
he move; all were alike impossible. v
er's only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly
him my companion. t.sr ..
and Presently l heard q voice saving, IS