American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-07-01
THE REPUBLIC IN PERIL

The Project That Was Formed to Make
Washington King, and HIS Indi gnant
Reply 60 the ProposaI-Interestfne
Centennial Aemini.cenees.
From an article by Joel T. Headley,
on "Washington's Headquarters at
Newburgh" in the July GALAXY, we ex-
tract the following:
During this last summer G17s21 there
was much discussion among the officers
respecting the form of government that
shou1d be adopted at the end of the
war, which now seemed near at hand.
1t was finally decided that, for the sta
bility of the country as well as for their
own protection, Washington should be
at the head of the Government, a King
in fact, though at the first under a diff
ferent title A paper embodying these
views was drawn up, and 10 give it
greater force Colonel Nicola, an officer
universally respected and much beloved
by Washington, was selected to present
it. Riding up to this old building, he
dismounted, and entering the room with
seven doors and one window, was re-
ceived by his chieftain with frank
courtesy, to whom he handed the paper.
1t began by describing the wretched
state of affairs in the country, and
showed how useless it was to hope for
any relief from Congress. Washington
had heard all this before, and hence his
attention was not particularly arrested
till he came to the comparison of the
different governments of the world, and
read the startling announcement that a
republic was the least stable of them
all, and that the English Government
was the nearest perfection that could
be obtained. Then his usually immova-
BILE countenance began TO show signs of
agitation, which increased as he read
on: "Such being the fact, it is plain
that the same abilities which have led
US through difficulties apparently insur-
mountable by human power to victory
and glory, those qualities that have
merited and obtained the universal es-
>taaH AnA zeneration of the army would
be most likely to conduct and direct us
IN the smoother paths of peace''-in
short, that he and he alone could up-
hold the nation that he had sayed.
They made no appeal to his personal
ambition, OF which they knew him to be
incapable, but to that patriotism which
had made him endure the great sacri-
ices he had already made for his coun-
try. But when he came to the follow
ing sentence his blue eyes fairly blazed
with that dangerous light SO rarely wit
messed: Sowing to the prejudices of
the people, it might not at first be pru-
dent to assume the title of royalty, but
II AL other things were once adjusted,
we believe strong arguments might be
produced for admitting the title of
King" As be sat with the open letter
in bis hand the light died out of his
eye, and look of inexpressible sad
ness stole over those noble features.
The emotions that crowded his heart
may be gathered from his reply. With
what suppressed resentment and stern
severity he commences,
Sir, it is with mixture of surprise
anu a$kofzie41nlenCf n1vCraaQ the SentI-
ments you have submitted toNy peru
sal. Be assured, sir, no occurreLees in
the course of the war have givea me
more painful sensations than y9ur in
formation of there being such ideas ex-
listing IN the army as you have express
ed, and I must view with adherence
and reprehend with severity
1 am much at loss to coaceiye what
part of my conduct has given
encouragement to an :ddress which
to me seems big with thetgreatest mis-
chief that can befall my Country. FL
am not deceived in the 1eayledge of
myself, you could not find a perse.a- TO
whom your schemes are more disagree
able, Let me eoniure you,
then, if you have any regard for your
country, concern for yourself or pos
terity, or respect for me, to Danish these
thoughts from your mind, and never
communicate as from yourself or any |
one else sentiment of the like nature" |
To one acquainted with Washington !
character there is something painful in :