The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21
WASHINGTON AT HOME.
MATTERS PERTINENT TO THE GEN.
TENNIAL OF HIS INAUGURATION.
He Grew Creator at the Close OF the Rev.
olutionary strugglo-H How He With
stood Ardpons Labor-His Secluded
Home Retreat.
Eugene Lawrence. h Hnrper,s pa,nr.


gle the real greatness OF Washington's in
tellect begins moro than ever to appear.
He was the master genius OF his age, be-
fore whom kings statesmen, mobiles, seem
to sink into Lilliputian ieebleness. His
greatness lay in his power of looking into
futurity far beyond other men, and OF pur-
suing with unequalled resolution the gen.
erous, unselfish aims he had set before
him. Already in the war, by intense and
ceaseess study, he had made himself the
most accomplished general OF his time. He
had shown his desperate yet rational cour-
age at Trenton, his patience and unbend-
ing flrmness at Valley Forge or German
town, his wonderful and complete mastery
OF tho art OF war at Yorktown. But now
in l7Si.SS there lay before him still
greater task, and the rare powers OF his in
telloct and will were never shown in all
their unrvalled strength until he became
the founder Of the Republic. lie at least
saw far in the future a splendid vision OF
freedom, of new era Of progress for his
country and for mankind, and once more
directed all the energy OF his nature to its
pursuit and its attainment.
The years l7s4.7 were full OF disasters
and encouragement Samson-like, WASH
ington seemed TO stand overwhelmed, but
not dsmayed, amidst the wrecks OF the
royal governments he had chiefly helped
to destroy. Everywhere was disorder. an
archy, almost despair. Congress had lost
all power Of command; the separate States,
plunged in poverty and debt, refused to
pay their shares Of the public encum-
brances and the national expenses. The
soldiers OF the disbanded army murmured.
France claimed the return OF the money
II had lent the colonies. Spain held the
Mississippi, and tempted the people Of
Kentucky TO rebellion. England retained
the forts on the northern border, and plot
ted against the freedom Of the disuniied
States. Tho Tories who had come back to
New York and Philadelphia talked openly
Of restoring the English rule, or at least Of
calling over an English King Everywhere
instruction and lawlessness disturbed the
country. New York. Massachusetts, Con
necticut, and even Rhode Island, felt the
shock Of a new prole,arian rising; Yer
mont, discontinued, was intriguing with
The English In Canada; Kentucky was al
most hostile territory; New York, fearful
Of the power Of New England, refused e
suffer Massachusetts, troops 10 cross Its Dor
ders. Patrick Henry and Butler proposed
a Southern Coniederacy; the divided coun.
try was an object OF ridicule and scorn e
European rcactionists. "Whcn You hav,
a government" said the English diplo
matists 10 the American commissioner
I'VE will treat with you"
II was at this period that Washington
had retired 10 his homo nj Mount Vernon
hoping TO enjoy for a few years at lels
the domestic peaco he had NO loved an,
longcd for. Here for time lac seems {,
have found H. But hc was evidently no
fitted for any long repose; Washington
mental and physical organization SCENE,
TO require constant action. lie was one o
the highest type Of what we arc accus
toned to call the English or Anglo-Saxol
race. His tall, almost gigantic form, wa
symmetrical, sinewy, aud OF exiraordinar
strength. lie could leap, run, or vauI
into his saddle more swiftly than any q
his rivals; his long, nervous arm coul
throw an iron bar far beyond them. Ii
, wrestling hc east his strongest opponents
, lie was a natural athlete, whose unusua
: yigor had been early tested in the will
\ woods and forest clad mountains, slecpin
|, in tho SHOWS aud wading rivers. lie wa
u almost always on horseback, lover {
= horses OF the rarcst breed, patronized race
, 10 the last hunted with the hounds tire
c times a week, was proud OF bis stable, an
J. never without ten or twelve fine horses i
: II, even In tho cities. Erect, vigorous, ma
iesiic, his tall figure, even In youth, IL
y spired respect, aud no one seemed 10 je,
9 with him. His light hair, gray eyes, an
J. fair complexion might have suited a Mons
hero and Viking. Ills fine open count,
nance disarmed ioar; but awoko submi
sion aud reverence.
b. Ruled by unworthy passions, this poy
criul frame might have made him a scourI
~ Of the human face-an Attila OF Alexaf
BE- der. But his moral organization was ~ lin
healthy and symmetrical as his physici
g and mental. He was an example OF VIII
ng men recognize as virtue from his you'll
his woll-orlorod mind kept him from a
as excess. II Is not likely that lac was who'll
ic free from faults, but no never failed
amend them. Honor and honesty came
% him naturally anything mean, low
A. Ieachcrous hc swept aside like a demigo,
To-. lie was apparently 10 calm, temperate az
~ sclfrcstriincd that careless men though
.m him weak and even timil. lie was gov,
Gus, yet prudent, humane, rcsolule, lir
nc friend, placablo foe. 80 sensitive that
N. wcpt bitter tears over his sicp-daughteI
doath.bcd, knccling at iis side, or saw vii
~ passionate grief the fate Of the garrison
Fort Washington, whom he could not say
Tears the strong man seems 10 have Oft
Vi. shod. lilo was 90 charitable, NO human
that hccould never bear 10 inilicl oven INC
NV tied punishment, and stcccd himself TO h
gh death OF Andrc and other spicA lilo wou
have set free all his slaves, like jaw, had
~ been possible. Ills power VI soli.rcsirai
10 was nnriyallcd, the bitior tauns Of l.
aud Conway he speaks Of In his lott,
w with calmnessthat seems almost incro,
far bic, and In the. dfrAd moment Of defeat
was as confident OF success as In victor
>" Yel his passion OF anger was fierce nj
nd terrible whon Il onco had overcome
sclfrcsir.lnt, M wien he drove back l.
he ut Monmouth, or, sword In hand, wi
81, fierce words, threw himself among /
cowardly troops At kipp's BAY.
ier In his secluded homo at. Mount Verne
-. Washington lived from 1883 TO 1857. I
charming wife, the fair widow Gus,
us whom ho had married IN 1859, was "
M, fitted TO share his peculiar aud olovai
~" lot. She studied and coniofmod TO all
In necessities. As Martha Daadridgo 4
had boon q Virginia bcloand beauty. /
al seventeen marriod Daniel parko Cusl
Iccs a young man OF great wealth, aud app
non entity Of amiabls character. They. h