National Republican., 1883-02-27
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
His Career as a Statesman Treated by Hon.
George B, LOring.
An Eloquent Lecture Delivered In All
Souls, Church.

Hon. George p. Loring, commissioner of
agriculture, delivered an extremely interest
ing lecture on Washington rs q Statesman "
at All Souls Unitarian church last night be-
fore an audience large in numbers and en-
bracing very many distinguished people. The
lecture was most attentively listened TO and
was frequently interrupted by applause.
The speaker commenced by alludng to the
circumstance which induced Washington to
support American independence. He rapidly
sketched the events which transpred in
Washingtons history prior to his selection to
the Virginia house of burgesses where his
great reputation in early life was won. He
sketched his course here, the opening con-
test in tho life of Washington on the first
time ho was called upon to decide between
his colony and tho government under which
he lived The speaker then referred Mt
length TO the events which led mp 60 the revo-
luton, skillfully. showing throughout his
argument the vast powers Of statemanshp
then developing Washingtons caresr in the
Cont mental congress, in the constitutional
convention the time when Washington ap-
peared as an advocated of the adoption of the
constitution. Coming down step by step in
the history of Washington, and reaching the
point of his election to the presidency, DIR.
Loring said Ho entered upon his
work as president with determination
TO sustain the union under the con-
BtltutlOn against MI beCIlOnhl uelnhnub anu
antagOnsms; TO administer the government
in the cause of freedom to assert the federal
authority TO establish on sound basis the
public finances; to preserve neutrality, and to
place the United States in honorable relations
with all foreign powers. In connection with
Hamilton, who was applying his remarkable
powers to the Organization of the Treasury
department., he turned his attention at an
early day to the adjustment of the finances,
the disordered condition of which had largely
led to the adoption of the constitution. An
uncertain revenue, an unfundod debt, clamor-
Gus creditors, an Insufficient currency, all de-
mandcd aud hill received the immediate con-
sideration of the administration.
During tho war Washington had at various
times protested against all attempts to force u
deprecated paper currency upon the people
as an equivalent of coin. His mind, however,
was ready to accept any wisely-adjusted plan
of finance by which the war debts of the states
incurred in common cause should be as
sumed, and by which the national creditor
should receive his dues, national honor should
be preserved and private contracts be honestly
fulfilled. Controlled by these motives, he
Joined Hamilton in adjusting the debt on an
equitable basis in providing for the expenses
of the government and the liquidation fdebt
and interest due, by imposts on foreign
merchandise, "as ahording at the same
time encouragement and protection to
domestic industries" and in providing
currency alike adapted to tho wants of the
government and the people" From his pur-
pose in this respect he was not to be deferred
by abstract theories of human right, or fine
spun interpretations of the constitution, or
the pressure of local interests. The division
of his cabinet by sectional lines on this ques-
tion had no effect on his Judgment. He went
not with his state" on this vital question,
but surveying his country and all its diver
sity of resources aud interests, confident of
the capacity of her increasing and industri-
Gus people to meet all honorable obligation.
Looking on into her future greatness of pros
perity and power, he gave his sanction to
financial policy which has served at all times
and in all emergencies to meet the wants of
the American republic in peace and in war.
The foreign relations Of the United States
received his early aud earnest attention He
indicated at once that the republic AS stable
power was entitled to treaty stipulations
with Great Britain, and his demands were
recognized and negotiations were established
as between two equal nationalities. With
France, whose civil system was convulsed
with revolutions and whose declarations APP
pealed with great force to doctrinaires on
both sides of the Atlantic, he assumed that
"every nation had right to govern itself as
ii chose, and that other nations were bound
to recognize and respect the existing au-
thority, whatever form 1t might assume"
The proclamation of neutrality, one of the
most important measures of Washington's adj
mnistration, established foreign policy,
whose benefits have to this day been fully
understood and appreciated and whose in
tluence served to teach violent and i'm
pressble French minister that he could not
involve this country in war ON account of
sentimental obligations, and to teach the ar
dent and enthusiastic admirers of the revOlu-
tionists in France that their methods and
measures had no place in growing republic
planted on social order and humanity, and
not on social anarchy and blood.
The Indian policy of Washington can be
presented in his own words addressed to the
Seneca chiefs who visited him in 1791. In
concluding his speech he said: "When you
return TO your country tell your nation that
il is my desire to promote their prosperity by
teaching them the use of domestic animals
and the manner that the white people plOw
and raise so much corn and if upon considera-
tion, il would be agreeable to the nations at
large to learn those arts, will find some
means of Teaching them at some places within
their country as shall be agreed upon" An
Indian policy which if followed to this day
would have saved much Of the honor, blood,
and treasure of this country.
The craftsmanship of Washington, which
have briefly and hastily portrayed, and which
extends over period of more than thirty
years during the most critical era of the
American nationality, was based on the most
patriotic impulse governed by unerring judg
ment, solemn determination, sure under
standing and unfaiing integrity, During all
the period of the war he was guided by the
sternest motives of duty and the loftiest sem
timents of devotion. He never drew his
sword for place or power. Before'his mind
was one controlling purpose, to the accom-
plishment Of which he dedicated all his facul-
ties. In civil life he labOred constantly for
his country, not for theory or dogma-for
government and not for a party, Involved
in the most complicated political problems,
surrounded by the btterest personal cOntro-
versics, he always appears as the judge and
the peacemaker, never as tho partisan The
views which he entertained on all the great
political questions of his day were
reached with entire impartiality and
were pronounced with frmness and
precision and maintained with religious en-
thusa,m. His deliberations always com
manded respect, his decisions carried convic-
ton, his conduct inspired others with courage,
his determination was pursued with irresisti-
BILE force which, If occasion required, was
ardent and impeTiOus. He who bore himself
with the majesty of cold belief was inspired
for his work by the heat and zeal of adevotee,
and by an aTdOT of soul without which he
would have been disheartened and destroyed.
And how ailectisnate was his nature, how
gentle his greatness His domestic relations
were charming. Among his companions he
was amiable as well as dignihed. In counsel
ho was always considerate, patient Of Opposi-
tiOn, and minister of harmony and peace
Among the brave he was the bravest among
the wise he was the wisest, among the great