Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1885-08-14
Gbe fa,,faSter 1ntelligenfer.
LANCAsTEn. AUGUST Il, 1885.
The Character Of washington.

1t Is a very wholesome sign OF our liter-
AIRY development, of the prevailing correct
popular judgment and of our continuing
patriotic feeling that the estimate in Prof.
McMaster's History of the American
People," of the character of Washington
has not passed unchallenged.
Mr.. McMaster has performed valuable
work in making his history. 1t is one that
has been long needed and long waited for;
and, despite many blemishes and deficien-
cies, it is creation, or rather compila-
tion, Of enduring value.
But it does not follow that the conscen-
tious critic or philosophical historian need
pronounce judgment upon the most IA
miliar of our great men that is at variance
with that which popularity obtains by the
common consent of mankind, in order to
establish his reputation for discrimination
and impartial analysis.
Washington certainly was not free
and-easy sort of person, who allowed Tom,
Dick and Harry to slap him on the back !;
and it Is true that he had violent temper,
which occasionally got loose from his rein
and made him do and say very emphatic
things; but that Hamilton and Knox were
{" the only two men his cold heart ever
really loyed"; and, that "his fits of anger
or his "rage at st. Clairs defeat" were
more illustrative Of his character than his
nobility in a hundred other scenes of his
life, are judgments not supported by the
facts of history and Mr.. McMaster gains
nothing in repute for historical knowledge
by SO viewing him.
= One of the historians critics on the New
York Times calls attention especially to the
affectionate illusions of Lafayettes s letters
to Washington as affording signs that to
that young man and ardent soul at least
Washington was not :" the cold and for.
bidding character, with whom no fellow.
man ever ventured to live on close and IA
miliar terms" The intimacy of the two
commanders began when Lafayette was
not yet 20 years Of age and when the
- BUS Frenchman was wounded, he
$dt in charge OF the surgeon attached
the generals own person, to whom
Washington said, :" Care for him as you
would for my son 1 love him as SUCH y
1t was years after this that LAFAYETTE
wrote to Washington in this strain:
To one who so tenderly loves you, who
so happily enjoyed the times we have passed
together, and who neper on any part of The
( globe, eVen in his oWn house, could feel him
self so perfectly at home as ia your family,
1t must be confessed that an irregular,
lengthy correspondence is quite insufficient.
beseeeh you, in the name OF our friendship,
Of that paternai concern OF yours for my
happiness, not to miss any opportunity to lei
me hear from my dear general.
And this was in letter from Washing.
ton to Lafayette after what proved to be
their last parting
In the moment of our separation, upon
the road as / travelled, and every hour since,
i have felt all that love, respect and attach
ment for you, with which length Of years,
close connection, and your merits have in.
spired me. y 1t ia unnecessary,
persuade myself, to repeat to you my dear
marquis, the sincerity of my regards and
friendship nor have words which could
express my affection tor you were to at
tempt It.
These are not the sort of expressions that
would pass from and to such character
as Mr.. McMaster makes out Washington
to ohave been.