The Dickinson press., 1891-11-28

produces shafts so lofty and so
white. His private habit of pray
and his unstudicd reference to
the controlling power of heaven
owe the national fortunes in al
most every evcntful public docu-
ment combine their witness to a
definite practical religious belief.
Such a faith in God he commend
ed to the nation. In every juno
turc he turns to heaven for its
providential guidance. In reply
to an address from one of the de-
nominational bodies of the coun-
try, he expressed the hope that all
such bodies might have occasion
to be convinced that he would al
ways strive to prove a faithful and
impartial patron of genuine vital
religion. In his farewell to his
fcllow-citizens, an address also to
postcrity, he emphasizes religion
as an indispensable support of
government.
Imperfect of necessity is the
analysis l have attempted, even in
its presentation of those signal
features which l have named:
method, a balance of prudence and
courage, a manly decision, a con-
sc%iousncss of dignity and rectitudc,
a judicial cast of mind, a disintcr-
cstcd patriotism and a rcgnant
Christian faith. The supreme inn
preston which Washington makes
is that of one in whom a lofty
character held in adjustment a
roundabout manhood.
In the few moments that remain
| wish to take a.glace at the wide
field of contemporary and present
opinion. And first the contem-
porary, foreign opinion regarding
Washington. Rambling among
the letters or Benjamin franklin
some days ago l ran upon one
which contained much of interest.
1t is addressed to Washington
from some point in France and
bears date of 1880, and is in his
best p%hilosophic and prophetic
vein. After an Introductory allus-
ion to Lafayette, the letter pro-
ceeds, SHOULD peace arrive after
another campaign or two and af-
ford us a little leisure, / should be
happy to sec your Excellcncy III
Europe, and to accompany you, il
my age and strength would per
, NIT, in visiting some of its ancient
and most famous kingdoms. You
) would, on this side Of the sea, en-.
l JOY the reputation you have acquir
cd, pure and free from those little
shades that the jealousy and envy
! of a mans countrymcn and con
temporaries arc ever endeavorin{
to cast over living merit. Here
, you would know, and enjoy, wha'
> postcrity will say of Washington
. For a thousand leagues have near
. ly the same effect with a thousant
years." A definite foreign expires
sion to the military abilities o
f Washington is recalled in conncc
, ton with the sword which Fred
erick the Great sent him just afte
his quick and successful move
ment at Trenton, and which wa
inscribed, From the oldest gcner
n al in Europe to the greatest gencr
al in the world" England her
self seemed to have an Anglo
f Saxon pride in him, SO that GU
i, minister wrote to General Hamil
ton two years before Washington
death, that lit is a common obser
y walton that he is not only the mos
y illustrious but the most meritori
Gus character that has yet appear
ed" And here l must drop til
n almost unanimous European vel
dict of his time, in which l NIGH
include as strong or stronger quo
t t%ations from Erskine and Fox an
Brougham in England, and Fon
tanes and Napoleon in France.
|. The domestic estimate of Georg
Washington was expressed in tn
summons OF his countrymen t
critical positions. His unanimou
election and reelection to tn
h Presidency have not been repeat
ed in the case of any other candi
date to that high position, and &C
: cording to the public statement o
John Marshall at the time of hi
;, death, a third elevation to til
. office, with the universal suffrage
. could not have been doubted, ha'
. he been willing to accept the hon
or. When the news of his dealt
u reached the Senate, it took appro
| pirate action, sending its expires
: sion to the President in which &C
e cured these sentences; "Ancien
and modern names are diminished
E before him. Greatness and gull
t have too often been allied; but hi
/. fame is winter than brilliant" Il
the course of his remarks in tn,
House of Representatives, MI
Marshall said; "However the pub
l lie confidence may change and tn
/ public public affections Auctuat'
: with respect to others, yet with re
spect to him they have in war ant
in peace, in public and in privat'
life, been as steady as his own firm
/. mind, and as constant as his owl
exalted virtues" In letter which
t Mr.. Adams, then President sent t.
the Senate, he offers his own trib
! ute to the wisdom, moderation ant
constantly which marked TIN
4 course of Washington alike in ad
versity and success. He maintain
: cd "that malice could never bias
E his honor and envy made him
singular exception to her univer
-l-i ~ -