Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-02
Tried as by Fire.

It is not, We believe, generally
known, that General Washington's
devotion to Republican principles,
was tried by the most most direct
test that could be applied, pro-
position from high army officers to
place him on q throne. Col Nicola
was the usual medium employed by
the officers and soldiers TO convey to
their Commander-in.chief their COM
plants, their troubles, eud their de-
sires. In May, 1887, this officer
addressed letter to him, complain
ing of the condition of the army and
the country and the unsatisfactory
prospect Of improvement and relief
through the action of Congress, and
expressing the opinion that Repub-
lican form Of government was inse-
cure and unreliable, and that the
English form was more stable, and
preferable on other accounts. This
celebrated lie ter ended thus: cit
will, I believe, be uncontroverted,
that the same abilities which have
led us, through difficulties apparent
ly unsurmountable to human power,
to victory and glcry-those qualities
that have merited and obtained the
universal esteem and veneration Of
an army-woull be most likely to
conduct anu direct us in the smooth
er paths of peace. Some people
have so connected the idea of tyran-
ny and monarchy, rs to find it very
difficult to separate them. 1t may,
therefore, be requisite to give the
head of such q constitution as pre-
pose, some title apparently more
moderate; but, if oil other things
were once adjusted, believe strong
argument might be produced for
admitting tho title of King, which I
conceive would be attended with
some national advantage" The fol-
lowing was Washington's reply, pro-
badly, in view of the conduct Of
other distinguished men in the
worlds history, the most to be ad-
mired of all his utterances:
Sir: With a mixture of great sur
prise and establishment, l have read
with attention the sentiments you
have submitted to my perusal. Be
assured. sir, no occurrence in the
course of this war has given me more
painful sensations than your infor-
nation of there being such ideas
existing in the army as you have
expressed, and which I must view
with abhorance 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 q
disclosure necessary. am much at
a loss to conceive what part OF my
conduct should have given encour-
agement to an address which to me
seems big with the greatest mischiefs
that can befall my country. If I
am not deceived in the knowledge
of myself, you could not have found
a person to whom your schemes
ore more disagreeable. At the same
time, in justice to my own feelings,
I must add, that no man possesses a
more serious wish TO see ample JUS
tice done to tho army, than I do,
and as far as my power and influence,
in a 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 your
self or posterity, 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.
The object of the Deputy Mar
shal's bill, vetoed by Mr.. Hayes,