Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-07-04
TRIED AS BY FIRE.

IL Is uo'. We ochcNo, SoucItLly kuOWn,
that General Washington's devotion to
republican principles, was tried BY the
most direct test that could be applied,
a proposition from high army officers
to place him on n throne. Col Nicola
was the usual medium employed by the
officers and soldiers TO convey to their
Commander -in-chief their complaints,
their troubles, and their desires. In
May, 1887, this officer addressed let
ter to him, complaining of the condi-
ton Of the army and the country and
the unsatisfactory prospect Of improve
ment and relief through the action of
Congress, and expressing the opinion
that a republican form of government
was insecure and unreliable, and that
the English form was more stable, and
preferable on other accounts. This
celebrated letter ended thus: eft will,
I believe, be uncontroverted, that the
same abilities which have led us, through
difficulties apparently unsurmountable
to human power, to victory and glory
those qualities that have merited and
obtained the universal esteem and VEN
Grafton OF an army--would be most
likely to conduct and direct us in the
smoother paths of peace. Some peo-
pie have so connected the idea of tyr
amy and monarchy, as to find it very
difficult to separate them. 1t may,
therefore, be requisite to give the head
of such a constitution as propose,
some title apparently more moderate;
but, if all other things were once ad-
justed, l believe strong argument might
be produced for admitting the title of
King, which I conceive would be at
tended with some national advantage
The following was w ashington's reply,
probably, in view of the conduct of
other distinguished men in the worlds
history, the most to be admired of all
his utterances:
Sir: With mixture Of great surprise
and establishment, l have read with at
tention the sentiments you have sub
mitted to my perusal. Be assured, sill,
no occurrence in the course of this war
has given me more painful sensations
than your information of there being
such ideas existing in the army as you
have expressed, and which 1 must view
with adherence and reprehend with
severity. For the present, the COM
munication of them will rest in my own
bosom, unless some further agitation Of
the matter shall make disclosure nee
essary. lam much at q loss to con-
ceive what part of my conduct should
have given encouragement to an adj
dress which to me seems big with the
greatest mischiefs that can befall my
country. II am not deceived in the
knowledge of myself, you could not
have found a person to whom your
schemes are more disagreeable. At the
same time, in justice to my own feel
ings, must add, that no man pos
sesses more serious wish to see am
pie justice done to the army, than do;
and as far as my power and influence,
in constitutional way, extend, they
shall be employed to the utmost Of my
abilities to effect it, should there be
any occasion. Let me conjure you,
then, if you have any regard for your
country, concern for yourself or poster
ity. or respect for me, to Danish these
thoughts from your mind, and never
communicate, as from yourself or any
one else, q sentiment of the like nature,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
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