Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-02-28
ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON.
His Life and Death.


ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON
His Life and Death.
SOME INTERESTING DATA.
WAS HE BLEED TO DEATH
The Literary Society met on Saturday even
ing, February 81, at the spacious residence OF
Prof. Gallaudet, at Kendall Green, where, In ad-
dition to good attendance Of the members he
entertained a large number of distinguished
was to be devoted to the exhibition Of relics Of
Washington, and to discussion of his life and
achievements and kindred topics.
Of the society,"
by Miss E. B. Johnston reading carefully pre-
pared paper, presenting In graphic a nd eloquent
Language the noblest traits Of this greatest of
great men. The other members who took part
spoke extemporaneously, except Miss Cary
long, who had reduced her well-coneetved
thoughts to writing. Mr.. sponord presented an
unpublished manuscript journal OF Gen. Wash
ingtOn covering the period of the convention
which met In Philadelphia and which drafted
the constitution of the United States. Mr.: Spot
ford, In addition to reading occasional extracts,
detailed many incidents illustrative of the life
and character of Washington. He also alluded
to his being entrusted with the selection Of the
Mr.. Dwight, the librarian Of the State depart
ment, gave very interesting account OF the
manuscript treasures In that department in the
handwriting of 1.-THE Father OF his Country"
The letters and memoranda of letters and state
papers in his own handwriting fill 122 volumes,
In which they have been bound for preserva-
ton. Besides, there are numerous diaries and
anAuals OF personal memoranda In small pocket
books, covering the greater period of his life,
which are of great interest to the historian and
Chief Justice Drake spoke Of the uniform
sound judgment and superior wisdom which
characterized the public career of General
Nnn Itr Nff elite 49, I,
seat Of government was an illustration Of this,
which the experience Of century fully con-
firms.
Mr.. S. 81. Kaufman spoke briefly of the
monument which the patriotism of the people
was causing to be erected in this city. He
directed attention to the criticisms that had
In course Of construction, which complained
that 1t had nothing original about 1t; and ad-
ventured that while that might be true, yet it
originality worthy Of consideration had been IN
offered in its stead He said that nearly every
thing that had been proposed as substitute
else, and exhibited number of photographs
and drawings Of well known structures In diff
ferent parts Of the world In confirmation of his
statement.
DR.. Toner was also among those who spoke
extemporaneously, but we propose to give the
substance of his remarks further on and more
In detail The president, Senator Garfield,
closed the exercises Of the evening with some
very happy illusions to the great men Virginia
had given to the country, mentioning the names
OF quite number who were among the Leaders
In the various avocations and professions In life
during their day. DR.. Toner began his remarks
by saying that Gen. Washington was a man of
reserve and courtly manner, undemonstrative,
and rarely speaking or writing Of himself, or of
his performances, and were It not for the jour-
nails he kept with such regularity we should
know but little Of his private life. Even with
the aid of these and the industry and genius of
his many able biographers, his military life
and achievements are what engross most OF the
pages that have been written to Illustrate his
military leader, he was equally great or greater
as civil ruler. The students OF the history of
Washingtons life will, little by little yet bring
corded that viii serve to em6eliish his charac-
ter, until In the future it will stand unrivaled
In the annals of history. He was not public
this account Of him. On taking his seat as {,
member OF the house OF burgess, in Virginia.
after his success as commander OF the
had been concluded, a resolution acknowledg-
Ing his ability and the obligations of the colony
to him was passed. The General was so en-
6arrassed by this compliment as to be unable
adequately to express his appreciation OF the
honor, which the Speaker OF the House OBJ
serving, came to his rescue, saying: 'Sit down
MT d;,N washington [Y your modesty equals YOU
guage." Washington was early recognized by
his contemporaries as man of large views and
wellinformed on all matters relating to state
policy, and a man OF action and unwearylng
aS5idutty In the discharge of whatever engaged
his attention, and although always preferrlng
the even tenor OF planters life. he was never
theRss constantly sought after and given lead
Ing public positions. His being sent to the Con-
ttnental Congress in 1774, and mis- election to the
command OF the continental armies about to
engage in momentouS struggle with Great
Britain fOrtther rights, which ended in their in
dependence are matters as familiar as house.
hold words.
THE FIRST COMPLIMENTARY RECOGNITION
rryy,fo
army received was the resolution OF satisfaction
by Congress in their own name and the name of
the thirteen united colonies, at the capture OF
Boston. To commemorate the event Congress
directed gold medal to be struck. 1t is inter-
eSt1ng to note The earliest date at which special
honorable notice was given to him by the pub
Lie. His birthday was celebrated in WInches-
ter Va. Feb. 18th, 1919, brief account OF which
tsgiven by Richard Call, Esq, in letter to Col.
Theodore Bland. bearing date Winchester. Feb.
i, 17ts Ssee ,, Bland papers, p 115 The General
occurred about the middle period Of the Revolu-
ton, and is conf1rmatory Of the high esteem in
which he was held by his cotem poraries.
Gen. Washington and his brave Officers and
heroic army received on many occasions the
hearty Communications OF Congress. but 1t was
reserved for the occasion Of the ratification OF
the peace which secured independence of the
colonies, for Congress to express its special sat
tSfactiOn and the admiration in which he was
derfng unanimously, on the It'll of August, 1873,
10 states being preSent,an equestrian statue, in
bronze 10 be erected at the place where Con-
gresS shall elect to meet" 1t was directed that
the statue should be made by the best artist In
Europe and bust In plaster OF the General
was made by Mr.. Wright, to serve as model.
What has become OF this bust? 1t is matter
OF history that the execution of this order was
neglected until 1888, when fifty thousand dol
lars was appropriated by Congress for the pur-
pose and Clark Mills employed to execute the
statue, which was erected on Pennsylvania
avenue In Washington, and dedicated on the
22d OF February, 1860. But the statue of Wash
fngton was not the only order intended to honor
great merit and daring deeds OF patriotism on
the part of officers in the revolution which
remained so long unexecuted as to have been
almost forgotten.
The monument directed to be erected at
yorktown to commemorate the victory at that
place by the combined armies OF the United
States and France, over the British, remains to
be erected The first monument ordered by
Congress was on the 25th OF January, 1I76 to
the gallant Gen. Montgomery, who fell at Que
bee, and this was the only one erected. 1t was
set up In front OF st. PauPs church In the city
Of New York.
MONUMENTS ORDERED By CONGRESS.
1t may not be remembered that Congress Or
dered monuments to be erected to Gen. Joseph
Warren, Gen. Hugh Mercer, Gen. David
nf