New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-13

the Farewell Address passed. RECEIVING oo' :
rections from many hands before Washihs.o"
finally revised it and sent 1t to the people rs
makes his discussion of this and similar epsooe'
illustrative in the portrayal of the man ny re-
vealing the latters invincible caution. WASH
ington was often audacious to the point VI ie'N
lessness in the field. but he was more than
careful civilian. and If his character as a mem
her Of society in general is to be summed up in
ore word it is 50 summed up in the word sys'eh'
the eternal safeguard of cautious temperaments'
ts yalked Mechanically through life. with
respect for the opinions Of others that "oue'"
criticism has mistaken for artificiality. Where
all people are formal to be informal Is 10 De ar
tincial Washington had a not temper anu
sometimes INDUCED it, but in the maih ne kept
1t under perfect control. as ne adml'teu WIG"
General Lee vexed Mrs. washington ny quot"s
the remark of Gilbert Stuart that Washington
had a tremendous temper lie was one vi
the first horsemen of his time. and nurtureo
the great vigor that resided In his tall frame
nv constant riding to hounds. by constantly
living ont of doors as all his fellow Firginians
lived But he took the closest of his gar
mcnts ard Professor Wilson points out mat
while Washington was always dressed In good
taste prcferring clothes rather plain than gaud!'
ne was nevertheless. most attentive 10 this mat
ter and sought the latest fashions az well rs
tbe finest materials Mr. Ford quotes descrip-
ton Of Washington as he appeared AT one OF
his levees when President He was clad In
black velvet. his hair in full dress. powdereo
and gathered behind in a large silk bag; yellow
gloves on his hands: holding cooked nat WITH
n cockade in IT, and the edges adorned with
black feather about an inch deep. He wore knee
and shoe buckles. and long sword. with
finely wrought and polished steel ht. which
appeared at the left hip: the coat worn over
the sword so that the hilt and the part below
the coat behind were IN view. The scabbar-
was white polished leather
A decorative image. surely and TO the super
fetal eye IT may seem to add one touch more
To that calm but somehow tn .atrical or rather
posed and classical portrait which the years
have drawn. Nothing. however. could he more
unfair Washington disclosed in this costume
Of his simply his central virtue of always doing
exactly what was expected of him according to
the laws which governed the manners OF MS
time. 1t was natural for him 10 appear officially
in such guise as that pictured In our citation
and OF this much we may feel certain that for
all his dignity Of carriage he wore his gay
feathers with as much grace marked his APP
pearance in military garb. That is saying
much for as a soldier the impression he left
universally one of majesty combined with
ease He had himself no Illusions in regard to
the customs he observed but he took them
seriously. as il BELTS every civilized human to
do and if IL Is his unique abilities as a soldier
and statesman that make him great. 1t Is no
less certainly his intimate identification Of him
self with his countrymcn that makes him the
most beloved Of Americans. He was truly typi-
cal in the that he went with all the
a,,l licb ,fb IL
and raised them to a higher power. showed how
he could express better even than his com
Tades the high aims. the rectitude the patient
devotion which gave US the Declaration Of In
dependence and won for us equality and true
liberty.