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

tdbllgninR manners ana preceuentS VII '''N 80
ders of an UNEMPLOYED country which were des-
ton OF America.
Washington illustrates the situation perfect
IT, He was born Of a good English family
which. from the start. had taken rank III VIZ
GINA among the best. In his youth there seemed
little promise OF great fortune for him. but in
hertance and marriage put him early at the head
OF valuable estates. and after the experiences a.
a surveyor. which famous In his history ne
turned his attention TO the interests OF a man OF
substance a proprietor a soldier and politician.
In the latter capacity he quick to perceive
that he would have to use the arts OF MS tn'e III
order to get on. His first candidature Tor the
Virginian House Of Burgesses failed IN 100 De-
cause he had made himself obnoxious To the pun
licans. writing adjutant OF one OF the iou'
military districts Of the commonwealth 10 III
form the Governor that the soldiers were peine
debauched by the "vanous behavior OF those
tipping house keepers" Mr.. Ford tells concise
" the outcome of Washington's defeat by cap
tain Thomas Swearingen. One year later ne
took a leaf from his enemy's book. ana Io"sh'
them with their own weapons The friendl! a'u
of the county boss Colonel John Wood. was Sc
cured as also that of Gabriel Jones' man I'll
much local force and popularity. Scarcely less
important were the SlHtWS VI wal
Mr.. Ford describes them noting that 'the voters
of Frederick enjoyed at Washngtons charge
more gallons of rum punch. wine. brandy beer
"cyder royl' and other intoxicants than IL Is
possible TO set forth in this place. In a note TO
Wood written after his election. the candlda'e
writes: Il hope no exception was taken to any
that voted against me- but that all were alike
treated. and all had enough. My only fear Is that
wifi ring hand Inc sig
nifcance OF this episode lies in it's indication or
the candidates possession of just such shrewd-
ness and human weakness as are commonly oe-
MED to him. OF course, 1t would be short-sight-
ed to draw sweeping conclusions from the oc-
currence It does not convict Washington OF
lifelong devotion to the devious ana corrupt
ways Of the baser sort of politician. But 1t does
convict him. one is almost glad to ADMIT Oh WoN-
ing among his contemporaries with MS eyes "iue
open his wits ready. to adapt themselves 10 eN-
listing conditions and his genius quite unaided
by any Of those flashes OF lightning which are SO
dear to the rhetorical idealists.
When he returned from his first cam
paign the unfortunate expedition to the ONO
he proceeded to do what he could with his regi-
ment in quarters at Alexandria. Though IN
disguised frame Of mind because OF the niggard-
" treatment he had received during the AFFAIR
at the hands Of the Burgesses. he was too much
of a gentleman. too proud patriot. to immedi-
ately resign. But soon the energetic Dinwiddie
more jealous than discreet. carried a measure
which transformed the next force TO march upon
Fort Duquesne into ten Independent Companies
with no officer in the lot holding rank higher
than that of captain. Professor Wilson notes
that the Governor intended by this move to ailay
any bitterness about rank which might arise be-
he this not
the kind of diplomacy to use with military men,
especially with an officer so aturated with mill
tary feeling as Washington. The latter resigned
instantly. He had scorned the pay assigned to
him on the march to the Ohio. In Professor Will
sons words 1t was deemed unworthy gentle
mans acceptance" and he asked permission tn
serve as volunteer without remuneration DIN
widde's egregious bunder in the formation OF
the Independent Companies was more than
Washington thought himself called upon to bear
and it is not at all certain that he would nave
made the disastrous campaign with Braddock
If the latter knowing Of his resignation
had not invited him to go as member
of his staff Even then. with the English
General throwing in several vacant ensignci's
to he at Washingtons disposal, the spirited
young man most fastidious in his recep-
ton of the offer THE letter OF invitation,
says Professor Wilson. written by Captain
Orme aide-de-camp was couched in terms or
unaffected cordaty. Washington very gladly
accented in a letter that had just touch Of the
Young provincial in II. so elaborate and over
long was its explanation Of its writer's delicate
position and self-respecting motives. but with
so much more Of the proud gentleman and reso-
Lutte man that the smile with which Captain
Orme must have read it could have nothing OF
disrelish in It,"