The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-06-29

S'ANJ - aSRBNNt " iANf w pthhfoAA hANoS
thoughts from your mind, and never
communicate as from yourself or any
one else a sentiment Of the like nature."
To n acquainted with Washington's
character there is something painful in
the tremendous effort he puts forth at
self-control. This communication came
from one of his most esteemed and pa
triotic officers, and u beloved friend who
in the darkest hour had wei stood and
struck faithfully and sternly at his side;
yet he does not refer TO the compliment
paid him, o the labored argument
presented, but with his great soul
shaken to its center, he bursts forth,
alt is with a mixture of surprise and
astonishment' that any one could be
found who ever said any thing to en-
courage such an offer. .
With its pay withheld, and its dissolu.
ton near, and Congress apparently in
different to It's claims, the army steadily
grew more discontinued and mutinous.
Added to this, many of the superior Off
GERS were in actual want, while their
families were almost starving at home.
Washington, whose observant eye saw
every thing, grew anxious and fearful
at the state of things around him. . ,
|. . At length, to check the increasing
excitement and postpone the day OF
evil, the officers assembled in consulta-
ton, and resolved to appoint a commit
tee to visit Congress in person, and lay
their grievances before it, and demand
redress and something more satisfac-
tory in the future than mere indefinite
promises. But Congress, though it pro-
fesscd a desire that the army should re-
ceivc justice, declared its inability to do
any thing until the separate States were
consulted. The committee returned and
reported their ill-success. This report
fell like fire on the suffering army, and
it was evident that some decisive action
would be developed before long. Al
length, on the 10th of March, ii took
form in an anonymous address that wa
distributed through .he army, calling
on the officers TO meet next day at the
Temple, to decide on the measures that
should be adopted to obtain u redrcs,
of grievances.
This address, it was asccrtained
years after, was written by Major Arm
strong, aide-de-camp to General Gates,
a young officer of rare ability. Its Ian.
guagc was well calculated to set on fire
the army that was already prepared fol
an explosion. The address commenced
with the statement of the disappoint.
ment felt at the report of the iNdiffer.
ence of the Government to their rights,
saying "that faith has its limits rs wei
rs its temper, and there are points be-
You'd which neither can be stretched
without sinking into cowardicc OF
plunging into credulity." He ther
takes Il rapid survey of the past, recit,
ing their devotion, their suilerings, and
their wrongs, and in Il series of scorn
full questions asks them how their fuitl
and patience have been rewarded. Aft.
cr arousing their indignation by this
recital of their wrongs, and the con
temptuouS treatment with which theil
humble petitions had been received, hc
bursts forth, elf this, then, be YOU
treatment while the swords you wea,
are necessary for the defense of Ameri.
ca, what have you to eXpec
from peace, when your voice shall sinl
and your strength dissipate by division
when those very swords, the instrument
and companions of your glory, shall b.
taken from your sides and no mark o
military distinction left you but you
wants, inlirmities, and sears? Can yo,
then consent to be the only sufferers b.
this revolution, and, retiring from tn
field, grow old in poverty, wretched
ness, and contempt Can you conseu
to wade through the vile mire of dies
poudency, and wv the miserable rem
nant of that life to charity which In
hitherto been spent in honor? If 20
can, go; and carry with you the jests {
Tories and the scorn of Wings, the rid
Guile, and, what is worse, the pity of III
world; 90, starve, and be forgotten!
| But he adds, "lf you revolt at this, an
| would oppose tyrrany under whatevc
your situation, and redeem yourselve
If the present moment be lost, ever
| futurc effort will be in vain, and yor
threats then will be as empty as N
! your entreatics now" Having thu
artfully kindled the passions of Il
Il army, he boldly sketches out the onl
t course to pursue. "Draw up,n he say
d "a last rcmonstrance, and tell Congrei
with them rests the responsibility of ii
future; that if redress is not given, al
d peace returns, nothing but death sha
n separate you from your arms; if Il
d war continues, you will retire to son
unsettled country to smile in turn, al
y mock when their fear comcih.'"
This address, SO well adapted to st
up the passions and bring about su
q den and violent action, had been sea
tered through the army without Il
n knowledge of Washington. When at Ia
J. it was brought to him and he read
over, u cloud dark as midnight settl,
on his conference.-the day of ev
&c which he had SO long dreaded, ma
l.
h had foretold, had at last come. +.
l. labor of seven long years was in a m
D. ment to be oyerthrown. The cart
" quake had opened at his very feet, al
ii he gazed with sinking heart into I
t. gloomy abyss. The worst of it W;
Of there was not IN assertion or stateme
u in that fiery address that he cOuld &C