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

"N'' ~ Nehhp Siohhtt uhtii 40 hop'S
group as ever gathered around a chief
tain stood around Washington. Could
this old Don speak and tell what pass
ed at that sad and solemn council, it
would tell of noble devotion and patri-
otism such as the world has seldom wit
messed. 1t was finally resolved that
Washington should attend the meeting,
and open 1t in person. 1t was arranged
that Immediately after his address
"Old Put" should move that a COM
mittec be appointed TO draft resolutions
expressing the feelings of the meeting.
The 10th of March was n cold, bleak
day, and the leaden clouds gave Il som
Der hue TO the wintry landscape. Snow
was still on the mountainous, and here
and there lay in drifts in the hollows,
as Washington and his staff began to
climb the hills back of Newburgh to-
ward the Temple near the camp ground.
This was a building of hewn logs 80
feet long by 40 feet wide. 1t had been
erected the autumn previous, by order
Of General Heath, and designed some
say rs a place of public worship, others
for Il Masonic temple. 1t was dedicated
by a public ball which Washington
opened with the beautiful Miss Bclknap,
afterward the wife of John Warren, of
Saratoga. Here Lafayette had been
initiated into Freemasonry, and herothe
Cincinnati Society had its origin. 1t
had witnessed many a wild revel, and
was known far and wide as the "Public
Building"
As Washington approached it this
bleak morning, the numerous horses
with their military trappings that stood
hitched around, or were held by order
lies, showed that the field officers had
already assembled. On the opposite
ridge, across the marsh, in the lots and
openings Of the forest, lay scattered as
far as the eye could reach the tents and
cabins and shanties of the suffering sol
dicrs, their dilapidated appearance
speaking in language more emphatic
than words of the neglect of Govern.
mcnt. Washington dismounted al the
door, and giving his horse to the order.
ly, entered the building. 1t was packed
throughout its entire length with an
anxious audience. Every eye was turn
ed as that tall and stately form moved
calmly toward the raised platform al
the further end. Not a sound but his
heavy football on the uncarpeted floor
broke the profound, impressive silence
of the room. As he reached the plat.
form and stood for a moment and gazed
on the assembly, his noble heart wa.
stirred to its profoundest depths. HI
knew every face, and as his ey,
passed from one to another
r what a tide of feeling mus
| have swept oyer his heart. They wer,
his comrades in battle. How often ha,
they closed around him in deadly en-
counter, and shoulder to shoulder car
, ried him triumphantly over the field
of his fame. Noble men were they all
on whom he had relied, and not in vain
in the hour of deadly peril. A thous
and proofs of their devotion came rush
. ing back on his memory; their toll
= and suffering rose before him, and tn
whole history of the past swept by lik
Il moving panorama till his heart swell
t ed over them with parental fondness
( He had no word of rcbuke for them
only words of affection and sympathy
: Unrolling his manuscript, he too
e out his spectacles, and said, in a voic
choked with emotion, "You see, ger
+ tlemen, | have grown blind rs well u
Il gray in your service" One could hay
heard Il pin fall, so breathlcss was tn
c audience; while many an eye that la
never blenched in the widest storm {
battle, grew dim with tears. Every lin
Of this immortal address reveals tn
l. stern patriot and the devoted chicftail
After referring to the anonymous n,
IL dress, and d~enouncing the author m
If his dark designs in unsparing languag,
i and the meeting called in this unpr,
lie cedented way, he with a changed voiC
" and manner spoke of the army, its su
Il ferings and devotion, and then passc
II on to his W conduct, saying, "If II
% conduct heretofore has not evinced
5. you that l have been a faithful friel
y to the army, my declaration to you
II this time would be equally unavailir
re and improper;" that he hi
Is never left the side of the army exec
lie when called away by duty, but ha
y ever been their companion in distre
S, and danger, and adds, GAS l have CO.
IS sidered my w military reputation
he inseparably connected with that of Il
I'd army, as my heart has ever expandt
VI with joy when have heard it praise
and my Indignation has arisen WHIT
le the mouth of detraction has been opc
Id ed against it, it can hardly bs suppose
at this last stage of the war that | a
ir indifferent to its interests" But he ask
d. How are these interests to be preserve,
It. Not, he plainly shows, by following Il
he reasonable advice contained in the q
st dress. He then pledges most solemn
it his utmost ability to see all their wronI
cd redressed, all their rights establishe
lie coniures them to rely on 4
y, plighted faith of their country, and ia
he ing fire as he proceeds, he cxclain
TO- "Let me c~onjure you in the name
IL our common country, as you value 20
nd own sacred honor, as you respect t
he rights of humanity, as you regard t
is, military or national character of Am,
mt lea, to express your utmost horror a