The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-02-22

Iiamsburg with the French answer
His marriage with the widow Mar
that Custis took place in January,
1859. and those who are wont TO ac-
cuse Washington of lacking sentiment
may be advised TO study carefully all
that can be learned about the romantic
AFFAIR. Military life seemed over for
him. and he settled down as a gentle
man farmer. serving his colony in the
House OF Burgesses, where he was
formally thanked for his exertions in
the public behalf, but was too modest
10 be able to reply; looking after the
interests Of his parishes in the local
vestrfes. dispensing hospitality in true
Vfrgfuian fashion. and experimenting
his estates in a thrifty fashion pecu-
IfarIy his own: and last but not least
keeping up his spirits and his health
by frequent indulgence in the manly
sport of fOx-hunting. At the age of 90
he was plainly the greatest soldier in
the colonies, the man to whom all eyes
would turn should any public danger
impend: and if no danger came, he
would nevertheless be one of the
weaIthiest and most prominent citizens
Of the Ancient Dominion" He had
thus little 70 wish for. except children.
But If children come. his life was
destined TO be filed with higher love
and more absorbing cares. He was 10
be the Father of his Country. He was
no TevolutiOnist but neither was he
afraid TO trust the conclusions Of his
own mind; and If he was no orator. he
was at least not the man to mince his
words. Caesar himself did not more
thoroughly see the necessity for one
man rule at Rome than Washington
saw necessity for public independence
in America. He declared at Williams
burg. in 1774. that he was ready 70
raise a thousand men. support them at
his own expense. and march them TO
the relief of Boston. 4 few weeks later
he rode on horseback with Patrick
Henry and Edmund PendletOn to at
tend the first Continental Congress at
Philadelphia. He was, by the confess
sion Of Henry himself, easily the great
est man among the delegates. The sec
ond Congress saw him again in atten-
dance. and ready to give his life for
his country. But although he could not
face praise. and he left the chamber
when John Adams nominated him TO
be commander-in-chief of the Cont
mental forces. The next day he accept
ed the position, while protesting his
own unworthiness and refusing to ac-
cept any pay beyond a reimbursement
of his expenses. No Roman of old ever
came forward to save the state with
purer intentions or with more favor
able auguries of success. Although to
weaker spirits the prospect was appall-
ing strong men drew happy Omens,
not from the fight of birds and the en-
trails OF victims. but from the justice
of the common cause and the character
of Washington.
Nor did they mistake, nor do we now
mistake when we assigne the success |
OF the Revolution to these two causes. |
AS we retrace the weary years that
have elapsed between Washington's
taking command July 3. 1879. and his
laying down his Office December %,
1888 we perceive clearly that under
Providence the issue of the mighty
struggle depended on him. 1t is idle to
deny that he was the soul of the Rev
oIution. and it is equally idle to ask |
whether or not he was great general |
Whether he was. technically speak |
ing. a master of the art of war. students |
OF that art may decide. though it is |
well TO remind them that Frederick the |
Great praised his Trenton campaign as
a masterpiece of strategy. But that he
is worthy 70 rank with the supreme |
commanders of history no mar of /
sound Judgment and capable magma |
tion will deny.
Yes. Washington the general is a |
supremeIy great man. and those who |
deny the fact do so because they have |
not been able to survey his career from |
the proper point of view. 1t is hardly
an exaggeratiOn 10 say that to the
trained student his greatness is even
implicit in his pTOclamations 10 his
soldiers from first TO last. He was no
master of style but certainly for di
rectness and vigor OF phrase. for pa
triOtic purpose. for clear-sighted con-
tent. his circular letter 70 the govern
ors of all the States June s. 1889 is
unsurpassed among the political docu-
ments OF tho world. His entire CORE
spOndence from the time he retired
from command of the army till he re-
entered the service of his country as
its first President. is monument to his
modesty. his magnanimity, his pru-
dence and his wisdom.
He served this cause still further by
presiding over the convention of 1877,
and in 1879 he entered upon the presi
dercy of the nation. assuming new
role for which he was admirably fitted
and in which he was destined TO
achieve magnificent success.
Dignity. steadfastness. uprightness.
serenity. benignity. wisdom-these are
the characteristics of Washington
craftsmanship. whether we regard his
firm policy of resistance to the inso-
lence of revolutionary France. or his
refusal TO plunge his country into a
second war with England, or his cor
dial acceptance of the financial meas
ures of Hamilton, or his steady ac-
CentuatiOn of the national principle. |
or his noble efforts to reconcile his
Cabinet, or his strong but humane pol
icy toward the Indians or his prompt
crushing of the Whisky Rebellion. or,
finally. his progressive views on the
subjects of slavery and national edu-
cation and his prophetic comprehen-
sion OF the importance of the West. |
What shall we say OF such a man. save
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