Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20

were defending the country. He
| asked nothing for himself; did not re-
/, fer to his own privations or the agony
| that was piercing his soul as a knife
that is sliarpened to keenest edge and
driven into the body by a hand of a
rutative dear friend. Knowing that
congress could afford succor if it
would and realize in all its bitterness
the ingratitude of that power towards
those under him, he repreSSed, never
theless, every suggestion of reproach
in his communication, contenting
himself with clearly and graphically
poruraying the dire need for helpful
action and expressing his lively and
profound sympathy for the humble,
heroic martyrs under his command.
How pathetic his concluding words
that his grief was intensified in that
witnessing the agony and bloody
sweat of those under him he yet was
unable to afford them any succor.
The clouds had indeed gathered
thick in his sky. with not single
Jill eau VI SllNCI III CilCll
respecting he saw three years of war
with but a barren victory or two for
the continentals, while the visit re-
vealed his own hosts fleeing again and
again before the common enemy and
nearly all the important places seized
and occupied by the British.
The enemy in large force was
Il 4
liable at any time to move upon him,
yet nearly 1900 of his soldiers had TO
be reiieyeo altogether from duty be-
cause of their nakedness, all OF his
command was physically exhausted
from insutficiency of food. and, to
crown their danger, there was scarce
ly a dozen rounds of ammunition for
the army, while the artillery must
nave remained silent since there were
no powder and no balls.for the hea vier
guns.
Still his great soul was not daunted-
The newspapers charged him with in
action, and demanded winter cam
paign. The pervesity of congress led
it to hold to short enlistments, des
monstranceS, and he was compelled
to witness the steady diminution of
numbers of his soldiers, while re-en-
listments were next to impossible.
In time the slow congress did pro-
vide adequate food and a moderate
supply of raiment, but the sufferings
of the soldiers continued. as a result
of great cold and their previous priva-
tion. Mutterings of discomfort grew
deep and loud in the army-not di-
rected against him. but against the
congress that had shown itself incom-
petent. In their Indignation the Off
GERS, in a petition, urged Washington
to assume complete controls dicta-
tor, protector, king, any role he might
assume, in the confidence that he
would be unanimously sustained by
his army.
Here was supreme power that was
sought to be forced upon him, power
that an ambitious man devoted to self
might have desired above all things
else in the world. But Washington
was moved almost to tears of distress,
The war had been begun and waged
for the priceless boon of liberty: yet
now his loved officers and brave sol
diers were ready to sacrifice liberty
for his aggraudizement. DignIfiedly
he rebuked this spirit and by his
mighty will utterly subdued it,
Complaint, discomfort, disloyalty
and treason were en- every hand. 1t
was known that the king would pres
emily offer extraordinary terms to
those in aTms-an offer and provisions
of which, when finally made known.
would have been sufficient two years
before to induce the colonists to ac-
cept them, and in that case they
might be a dependency of Great
Britain to this day. This discomfort
knew to be general: daily
and hourly prominent and wealthy
citizens were deserting the cause of
liberty and swearing fealty to the
king.
Calm and reposeful he stood in the |
midst of these trials. sharing hard !