Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-03-18

white men," on that mission which Edward
Everett recognizes as ''the first movement
# a military nature which resulted in the
establishment of American Independence.
vt twenty-five he has flashed his maiden
sword-has heard the bullets whistle and
found something charming in the sound"
md soon he is Colonel of the Virginia regi-
'nent in the unfortunate affair at Fort Ne
'essity, and is compelled to retreat after
losing a sixth of his command. He quits
che service on point of military etiquette
md honor, but at twenty three he cap
pears as Volunteer Aid by the side of Brad
lock in the i'll starred expedition against
Fort Du Quesne, and is the only mounted
'fficer unscathed in the disaster, escaping
with four bullets through his garments, and
after having two horses shot under him.
The prophetic eye of Samuel Davies has
now pointed him out as ''that heroic youth,
Col. Washington, whom I can but hope
Providence has hitherto preserved in so
signal manner for some important service
fulalled. The ss1se year he is in command
If the Virginia frontier forces, arduous con-
hicts of varied fortunes are ere long ended,
and, on the 25th of November, 1859, he
marches into the reduced fortress of Fort
Du Quesne, where Pittsburgh now stands,
and the Tltans Of Industry wage the eternal
war of 'roil-marches with the advanced
guard of his troops, and plants the British
flag over its smoking ruins.
That If same year Wolfe, another young
soldier of Britain, has scaled and triumph
ed on the Heights of Abraham, his fame of
valor quenched as it lit the blaze of victory;
Canada surrenders; the seven years war is
done. Tue French power in America is
broken, and the vast region west of the
Alleghanies, from the lakes to the Ohio,
embracing its valley and tributary streams,
is under the sceptre of King George. Amer
lea has been made whole to the English
speaking race, to become in time the Great
er Britain.
RETIREMENT.
Thus, building wiser than he knew,
Washington had taken no small part in
cherishiDg the seed of nascent nation.
Mount Vernon welcomes back the soldier
of twenty seven, who has become name.
Domestic felicity spreads its charms around
him with the agreeable partner" whom he
he has taken to his bosom, and he dreams
of "more happiness than he has experienced
in the wide and bustling world"
Already, ere his sword had found its scab
bard, the people of Frederick county had
made him their member of the House of
Burgesses. And the quiet yea,s roll by as
the planter, merchant and representative,
superintcnds his plantation ships, his crops,
posts his books, keeps his diary; chases the
fox for amusement, or rides over to Anna
polls and leads the dance at the Maryland
notwithstanding between these private
pursuits-and serving his people as member
of the Legislature and Justice of the Coun-
ty Court,
REVOLUTION.
But ere long this happy life is broken
The air Is electric with the curients of revu-
lntion England has launched forth on the
fatal policy of taxing her colonies without
their CONS. mt. The spirit of liberty aud
resistance is aroused. He is 10th to part
from the Mother Land, which he still calls
home" But she turns deaf al to rea-
= IL The first Colonial Congress is called.
He is delegate and rides to Philadelphia
with Henry and Pendleton. The blow at
Lexington is struck. The people rush to
arms. The sons of the cavaliers spring to
the side OF the SOUS of the pilgrims. "Un-
happy it is" he says, ''that brothers
sword has been sheathed in brothers
breast, and that the once happy plains Of
America are to be either drenched in
blood or inhabited by ,laves. Sad alterna-
tive! But how can a virtuous man hesitate
in his choice? He becomes commander-in-
chief of the American forces. After seven
years. war, he is the deiverer of his coun-
try The old confederation passes away
| The Constitution is established. He is
twice chosen President, and will not con-
sent to longer serve.
Once again Mount Vernon's grateful
shades receive him, and there he-world-
| crowned Hero now-becomes the simple
citizen, wishing his fellow men ''to see the
whole world in peace, and its inhabitants
ore band of blothers, striving who could
contribute most to the happiness of man.
kind"-without a wish for himself, but "to
live and die an honest man on his farm" A
speck Of war dots the sky. John Adams
calls him ferth as Lieut. General and Com
mander-in Chief to lead once more. But
the cloud vanishes.
PEACF-DEATH.
Peace reigns. The lark sings at Heav-
ems gate in the fair morn of the new nation
Serene, contented, yet in the strength of
manhood, though on the verge of three
score years aud ten, he looks forth-the
great farmer from his pleasant fields-the
loving Patriarch from the bowers of home
looks forth and sees the work of his hands es-
tabished and a free and happy people. Sud-
denly comes the mortal stroke with severe
c,ld. The agony is soon over. He feels
his own dying pulse-the hand relaxes-then
he murmurs, SIT is well," and Washington
is no more. While yet Time had crumbled
never stone, dimned the lustrous surface,
prone to earth, the might column fell.
Washington, the friend of Liberty, is no
more.
The SOLEMN cry filled the universe
Amidst the tears of his People, the bowed
heads of kings, and the lamentations of the
nations, they laid him there to rest upon
the banks of the river whose murmurs were
his boyhood's music-that river which, ris-
ing in mou tain businesses amongst the
grandest works of nature, and rejecting in
its course the proudest works of man, is a
symbol of his history, which, in It's cease
less and ever widening flow, is symbol of
his eternal fame.
| CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON