Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-02-20

that 1. known in history. II II still easily
tr.t, even after the age of Lincoln. There
II u certain wholcness and unsullied
brightncs. abou, the public character 81
the Father of His Country tina, surIasses
belief and realization. Here for more
than century the gafe Of biographcrs.
historian. aud critics has been hIcd upon
him, but they have found no blot or flaw
his character Is absolutely hawless. His
truthfulnc-s was asinvariable as the law
IL gravitation. IL u strongly probable
that ~ child and boy and man he never
told an untruth In his life. IL II also
probable that this cannot be said Of any
other American.
His honesty was equally unassailable.
Not the slightest touch of intrigue or
double dealing has ever besn DISCOVERED
In the man from the first Ia the last. ia
one cas-. he makes charge against tho
government, of Is, expended In scndins
q spy into the eneiny's lines for In.
formation. For prudential reasons he
make- the entry without giving th. name
Of the person sent on the dangerou. mis-
sion. After some time he forgot the
name and could not recall II. Al the
bottom he says. after an astsriski This
expense was incurred In sending mes.
ssnger into the enemy's line. The name
was no, given lest he might H. discoy-
cred. deem II just. therefore. since !
canno, recall the name, 10 charge the
sum io myself." To this day the gov
eminent Of the United States IL indebted
to the heirs u Washington for the .uin
paid TO his unknown spy.
Washington was NJ honest as be was
truthful. Perhaps the two things go to-
gether. Perfect sincerity wa. also an
ingredient in his character. In straight
forward dealing the record does not
show him ever To have deviaici u hairs
breadth from the perfect line. lie seems
never TO have been once Ia his life .n.
gag-i In dubious transaction. In fact,
by the time he reached his maturity his
rvputaiion for integrity was - well 80
tabli.hed and the severity Of his manner
o. we'll known that none durst approach
him with the suggestion Of the doubtful
thing.
The marvellous fact about this great
character was. and u. that u surrounded
itself with n .ort Of sacred circle within
which no profans thing could enter.
Corruption cams not near him. All In
trigus stool aloof and flew back frum his
counienance. In-incerity was driven
away by the wind of his presence. There
wAs something august. really magnih.
cent, IN the serene majesty of Washing
tons face aud expression. lie was look.
Ell upon with awe. not only by his init.
mate friends and the public men u the
epoch. but by all the people. In the lat.
ter year. Of his life there was virtual
unanimity with respect % the elevation.
strength AMI perfection Of his character.
This is said In particular of his public
life. the record Of which shows com.
pleteness ~ singular n II Is glorious.
Another marked attribute OF Wash
ington Was his dignity. This was In
nate and was also DEVELOPED by the VI.
cissitudes and surroundings OF his life.
No other man Of American birth has
equaled him In dignity. His personal
bearing was superb. Though by no
means vain In anything. Washington was
personally proud to = degree. No severe
aud unrelenting were his aspect and
manner as 10 make him tie most unap
proachable figure Of modern history. No
man had the hardihooi to approach him
with freedom and familiarity. In his
whole life he never had friend who
ventured upon familiar manners with
him. lie kept all aloof. not indeed OF
purpose and intent, but by the Unborn
and unrelenting severity Of his counie-
nance and pose.
Asillustrative OF the awe which Wash.
ington 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 at one of the recep-
tions Of the first chief magistrate. IL
was In New York. The reception was
ON, and the guests were coming In.
| Washington stool after his dinner at one
end Of the hall. His expression was lofty
and serene. Some members OF the cabi.
net, military officers and Others con.
yersed In an animated way. referring to
the matches dignity Of the president.
A dispute arose, and wager Of c5
was laid that Hamilton would not dare
10 indulge In an act Of familiarity with
the president. The secretary VI the treas.
ury, brilliant and audscious ~ he always
was, was called mp and informed OF the
wager. lie hesitated TO make the trial
for those who had complimeutei him
with the bet. but at length consented 20
do 10. Shortly afterwArd, while all were
watching him intently. he went forward
| to pay his compliments 10 Washington.
laid his hand upon his shoulder familiar.
| iy and said. MY dear general. how well
you are looking this EVENING" The pres
ident, without word OF change Of coun-
tsnsnce. drew back and gave Hamilton
Q iook-that was al. Shortly Afterwsrd.
the secretary. returning 10 his friends.
said. II won your bst for you. bat
would not try it again for 81 .0o0."
JoHN CtARK RiDrAfH.
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