The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-02-21

in gaining a knowledge of facts. Such
was the nature Of the man that lie drew
to him the most efficient help Of many
Industrious and capable workers. They
gathered around him with extreme fidel
ity and served him with affection and
confidence. Some Of these were older
than himself in years. Not q few con-
sidered themselves more brilliant. Some
thought themselves more ardent patriots
But such was the situation and such the
personality of the leader that he COM
manded s great and faithful following
among the ablest of his countrymen. In
such cases it appears that society seeks
and finds some average intellect capable
of carrying outfits mandates. and having
found it flies thereto with all complaints
and troubles and gri6fs. confident of OBJ
tanning the needed solution and rescue.
Tt was not the ashingronian mind
that IS, the Intellectual ability-of the
great first president that gave to him his
fame and Immortality. IS was his char
acter. The character Of Washington isl
without doubt the most exemplary and
high that we have known ia our Ameri-
can annals. Aye, more; it is the best
that is known in history. 1t is still easily
first even after the age Of Lincoln. There
is q certain Wilderness and unsullied
brightness about the public character Of
the Father of His Country that surpasses
belief and realization. Here for more
than a century the gaze of biographers.
historians and critics has been fixed upon
him, butthey have found no blot on flaw
his character is absolutely hawless. His
truthfulness was as lnyariaDIe as the law
of gravitation. 1t is strongly probable
that as child and boy and man he never
told an unruth in his life. tit is also
other American.
His honesty was equally unassailable.
Not the slightest touch Of intrigue or
double dealing has ever been discovered
in the man from the first To the last. TIA
one case he makes a charge against the
government of 50. expended i'm sending
spy into the euemy's lines for in-
formation. For prudential reasons he
makes the entry without giving the name
of the person sent on the dangerous mis-
sion. After some time he forgot the
name and could not recall it. AT the
bottom he says after an asterislI. ''Ihis
expense was incurred in sending "a mes
senger into the enemy's lines. The name
was not given lest he might be discov-
cred. i deem it just, therefore, since Il
cannot recall the name, to charge the
sum to myself" To this day The gov
to the heirs of Washington for the sum
paid to his unknown spy.
Washington was as honest as he was
truthful. Perhaps the two things go to-
gether. Perfect sincerity was also ana
ingredient in his character. In straight
forward dealing the record does not
show him ever to have deviatad a hairs
breadth from the perfect line He seems
never to have been once in his life en-
gagged in dubious transaction. I'm fact,
by the time he reached his maturity his
reputation for integrity was so Wen es-
tabGshed and the severity Of his manner
50 well known that none burst approach
him with the suggestion of the doubtful
thing.
The marvellous fact about this great
character was, and IS. that it surrounded
itself with sort Of sacred circle within
which no profane thing could enter.
Corruption came not near him. All i'm
trigue stood alOOf and few back from his
countenance Insincerity was driven
away by he wind of his presence. There
was something august. really luagniti-
cent, IN the serene majesty Of Washing
tons face and expression. he was look
ed upon with awe, not only 10y his init
mate friends and the public men Of the
epoch. but by All the people. ia the lat-
ter years Of his life there was virtual
unanimity with respect % the elevation,
strength and perfection Of his character.
This is said in particular Of his public
life. the record OF which shows "A com
pleteness as singular as il IS glorious.
Another marked attribute Of Wash
ington was his dignity. This was in-
nate and was also developed by the VIE
ciasitudes and surroundings of his life.
No other man of American birth has
equaled him ia dignity His personal
bearing was superb. Though by no
means vain ID Lyrhing. W ashingtOn was
personally proud to 4 degree. $50 severe
and unreleuting were his aspect and
manner as to make him the most unap-
prcachable figure of modern history III
man had the hardinood 20 approach him
with freedom and familiarity la his
whole life he never had b friend who
ventured upon familiar manners with
him He kept all aloof not indeed %
purpose and intent, but by the Unborn
and unrelenting severity Of his counte-
nance and pose
Asillustrative of the awe which Wash
ingfou inspired and of The restraint
which he enforced upon all in inter
course. the story may be repeated OF the
wager which was made and won among
some high officials ut one of the receu-
tons of the first chief magistrate. 1T
was In New York The reception was
on. and the guests We're coming in.
W ashingtOn stood after his dinner att one
end of the hall. His expression was lofty
and serene. Some members of the caDi-
net, military officers and others COM
versed in an animated way, referring to
the lnatchless dignity of the president.
a dispute arose, and q wager of s.
was laid that Hamilton would not dare
= - -,.7-.1 40. g., ,, not ~ -.--t1