The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-03-12

Let Us Celebrate Our Escape from
Monarchy,


Monarchy.
Since the Worlds Fair at Philadelphia in
1876 we have had so many centennial celc-
brations that the public has grown weary of
them. Some Of them were devised to crafty
the vanity of obscure neighborhoOds or to
mako little men prominent, to serve the ends
OF spectators in land, and to increase the
profits of trades. Very few Of them engaged
the general interest. Even those commemo-
rativc of tho most important struggles and
triumphs of the Revolution failed to arouse
deep and widespread patriotic feeling, be-
cause the field had already been overworked
There is, however, one centennial celebra-
ton yet to be held which must appeal to
every patriotic heart and stir up enthusiasm
In the breast of every man and woman by
whom republican institutions are loved and
priced. 1t will commemorate u great event
In our Revolutionary history, and at the same
time celebrate our escape from q terrible
danger.
After the victory at Yorktown WASHING
ION removed his headquarters to Newburgh,
on the Hudson River, and there remained for
. year and half. BURaoYNE's army at the
North had been crushed. CORVALLIS had
surrendered at the South. CLINTON was
Bhut up in New York. where he was under
the close observation of WASHINGTON. AS
time passed on it became more and moro
evident that the war was over, that peace
was at hand and that new perils, those in
eident to the stable foundation OF an indie
pendent Government, awaited the patriots.
The army distrusted and hated Congress-
which had persistently neglected ii and made
itself odious by reason of alleged corrupt
practices. The patience and long suffer-
ing of the army are almost exhausted"
WASHINGTON wrote to the Secretary of War.
What would happen il the troops should be
disbanded while they remained in this state
Of exasperated feeling, "sourcd by penury
and by what they call the ingratitude of the
public, involved in debts, without one far
thing to carry them home, after spending the
flower of their days. and many of them their
patrimony, in establishing the freedom and
Independence Of their country? p when l
consider these irritating circumstances" he
continued, without one thing to soothc their
feelings or dispel their gloomy prospects, I
cannot help apprehending a train of evils
will follow of very serious, disturbing
nature"
The army, indeed, was ripe for rebellion
against Congress. Officers high in rank
were holding meetings nightly to discuss the
form of government which should be adopted
when peace had been secured. They had
been fighting it must be remembered, not
for republic, not for any defined system Of
government but simply to throw off de-
pendence on Great Britain. A large part of
the people were, in truth, monarchical in
their sympathies Property holders gen
orally were Of that way Of thinking. They
are ever the slowcst to advocate any change
In the form Of public institutions. They are
intolerant of novelty. The military organ-
Hation, too, is always friendly to aristocratic
rule. The theories and principles OF the two
are akin.
All this WASHINGTON well understood. He
could not be ignorant Of the feeling prevail
ing among his officers, and his letter shows
that he knew and shared the disgust and
uneasiness Of the rank and file. And he was
himself a representative OF the Handwriting
class, from which also many OF his sub
ordinates We're taken. Congress was dis
trusted, and the army was not imbued with
republican ideas. A modified monarchy was
most generally favored both by military
men and by conservative civilians.
AS the result Of many discussions, it was
decided among the officers to declare WASH
INGToS Dictator, with the design Of ulti-
mately making him King. A paper an
nouncng this purpose was drawn up, and
Col. NICOLA, an officer much esteemed by
WASHINGTON, was commissioned TO present
It to him.
Mr.. JOHN 7. HEADLEY, who has prepared
sketch Of the events which then took place at
Newburgh, for the purpose of awakening in
tercst in the proposed centennial celebration,
tells us how this proposition was received by
WAsHlNGToN. The paper presented by Col.
NICOLA had been prepared with great DELHI
Grafton and after discussing different forms
Of government, came TO the conclusion that
that of republic was the most unstable and
insecure A constitutional monarchy, like that
OF England, was what it favored. Finally, II
offered to place WASHINGTON at the head Of
such a government, with the title OF Pro-
tector, or the like Popular prejudice against
tho name OF King would prevent his assum-
Ing that title at once, though ultimately it
was to be adopted.
How did WAsuINGTON receive this offer Of
a crown The anxiety and distress that
deepened IN WAsHINGToN's face as he went
on over the topics one after another" says
Mr., HEADLEY, gradually assumed Il more
serious aspect, but when he came to the offer
20 make HIM King 1t blaHcd with terrible
light, and he exclaimed:
"'sir with u mixture Of surprise and astonishment
have read with attention the sentiments you have sub
mittoI my perusal be assured sir occurrence in
tho course OF the wGr has given painful
lions than your Information n there being such ideas
existing in the army sou have expressed and must
vteo w abh0IreHcc AID reprohend with severity AIN
much at loss to conceive what part Of my conduct could
have given encouragement to an address which to
seems big with the greatest mischief that brfa my
country. II am not deceived IN the knowledge OF my
sslf, you could not have found person whom your
schemes more disagro cable Let me couure you,
Men y1u have any regard for your country for your.
SET postcry, respect for me, to Danish these
thoughts from your mind"
This noble and patriotic speech put an end
at once to the efforts to make WAsuINGToN
King, to establish here an hereditary mon
arGhy in place OF the republic which was
sfterward founded. But the wrongs suffered