New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-30


for them to be patterns OF industry and to prac
use self-sacrifce.
Indeed, one OF the best things about Miss
Warriors book Is its convincing demonstration
or Martha Washington's patriotism. There, at
least. she was a noble if not spectacular figure
Beside the fame OF her husband she seems n
colorless woman. and. il the truth is told, she
was such n woman: but 1t is not necessary to
deny to her qualities of notable unselfshness
and courage. In 1874. when Washington was
leaving for the Congress in Philadelphia. his
friends Patrick Henry and Edmund PendletoD
were at Mount Vernon for Il day and n night
fendeton wrote to a friend soon after: Il was
much pleased with Mrs. Washington and her
spirit. She seemed ready to make any sacrifice
and was cheerful though know she felt anx-
ious. She talked like Spartan mother to her
son on going to battle. L hope you will all
stand irm-I know George Will she said. The
dear little woman was busy from morning until
night with domestic duties. but she gave US
much time in conversation and afford'ng us en-
tertainment. When we set off in the morning
She stood at the door and chccrcd us with the
good words. God be with YOU gentlemen. ="
After the war had begun. " hen Washington ana
his wife were separated by distances that in
those days were serious indeed. there talk
Of the possibility that Mrs. Washington might
be abducted 10y the enemy, and she was advised
to retire some miles into ;he country She
persuaded finally to take the precaution, but
she was absent only night. She had no
fear and was impatient to so 10 her husbands
camp. once there. as we have seen, she threw
herself into the spirit Of the Revolution with
tact as well as with enthusiasm. and she seems
TO have impressed every one with n sense of
her wise and generous loyalty. Il thank God
shant want men," she writes TO her sister
from Philadelphia; and while she fond of
her quiet country life at Mount Vernon she was
during the war and during her husbands Prosi-
dency exactly the helpmeet ne required.
exactly the woman for the position to which she
had been called. Had she possessed genius, in
diViduality, she might have impressed herself
upon American history in some striking way.
Being what she she appeals TO us always as
a subsidiary individual touching the magma
tiOn in minor. subsidiary ways. Yet il must
be supposed that she was without a certain de-
cisive spirit She had. really. a very clear
notion Of what was fitting under most circum-
stances. and. FOR all her rlacdity, she invariably
held her own The story is told of the sudden
arrival Of some distinguished guests at Mount
Vernon just after dinner had begun. Some
young ladies had come to the table in their
morning dresses. Mrs. Washington appeared
not to notice the misdemeanor. but when the
offenders proposed to change their costumes
hearing the names of the visitors announced
She calmly replied: NO. remain you are
what is good enough FOR General Washington is
good enough fo- any guest Of his" The anecdotc
is triling. but it is very characteristic. 1t
touches particularly that pride in her husband
which was one OF Martha Washington's most
notable traits
Brissot de WarVille, abiding &c the menage
at Mount Vernon, observes that Mrs Wash
ington superintends the whole, and joins to the
qualities Of an excellent housewife that simple
dignity which ought to characterize woman
whose husband has acted the greatest part
the theatre of human affairs" There is a
pathetic strain in her reply to the request OF
Congress for permission to remove the remains
tai. Deeply engaged her private affections
were she nevertheless was conscious to the last
OF what she owed TO Washington the public
man as distinguished from her husband. Writ
ing from Mount Vernon. in 1899. she says to
Congress:
While I feel with keeneSt anguish the DiSpO-
sition Of Divine Providence | cannot be insen-
sible TO the mournfui tributes Of respect and
generation which are paid to the memory Of
my dear deceased HCSband-and his best SER
vices and most anxious wishes We're always de-
voted TO the welfare and happiness of his coun-
trv-to know that they We're truly appreciated
and gratefully remembered affords no ncon-
siderable consolation
Taught the great example which have SO
long before me never to oppose my private
wishes to the public will must consent to the
REQUEST made by congrcSS-which you have had
the goodness transmit to me-and in doing