Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-02-26


and o1v the sea. with every equipment
then known to warfare; and being
commanded by leaders Of distinguished
?bility II presented a formidable front.
Washington's army necessarily took
the defensive, and from his mastery
retreat from Long Island, which excit.
cd the surprise and admiration of the
British, he proved his ability and re-
stored the public confidence in the
cnuse Of liberty. The arrival Of Lafay.
cite with his gallant troops, che sue.
cessful work Of FRANKLIN in Paris ne.
gotiating loans, all tended to give the
people courage.
Repulsed by powerful army at
Brandywine. he showed the great re-.
sources OF his military genius at Ger
mantown. The chivalry and magnan.
unity Of Washington wss-shUwn at the
siege Of Red Bank. Here the German
troops under the gallant Dunop were
repulsetl with terrible slaughter and
the leader wounded and captured.
Washington sent an officer TO the
wounded man with assurance of his
sollcituic and offeftO convey f!m safe.
ly to the British lines. Dunop's famous
reply was as follows:
Convey. sir. to Gen. Washington. the
deep Impression Of my gratitude. My
situation admits not at this time of a
personal acknowledgment: but the first
moment OF my recovery. should such
lte the will Of heaven. shall he to place
before Him. the homage of my heart"
This testimonial from the lips Of the
enemy SURPRISES all culogy.
Passing to the last scenes Of the war.
the capture Of the British at Yorktown.
we find the same wisdom. prudence
and judgment. The same valor. tllel
same unda united. intrepid spirit that the
great soldier displayed at every point
during the eight years Of continued
warfare.
The rights Of the country had been
maintained. Her independence was nc.
knOwle,lged by all nations. Peace then
spread her wings over our land.
His farewell address to the army ere
ntcd the profoundest impression
throughout the country. 1t II classic
In American literature; n bulwark Of
wisdom. It has been translated into
every language and read by every pee.
pie. -
lie retired to private life carrying
with him 20 Mount Vernon the hearts
Of his cOuntrymcn. the respect ana al
mi"atlOn Of the world.
But his work was not finished. The
unity Of the States through the COnsti-
tuition must he effected. and In the
framing of that great paper Washing
ton was made chairman Of the cOnvcn.
/ tlon. ana afterwards named President
Of his country and unanimously elect.
ed. In the eight years which lie nell
this great office he set an example Of
future generations.
When the news of his death reached
France Napoleon caused the French
flag to bc lowered and draped. Funeral
OratiOns and culOgics were delivered IN
! the churches. In London the prof0unu-
est respect was shown his memory.
| The press ana the pulpit We'd with
each other In their culOgies. An extract
from a London paper OF DecrMbcr.
100. contains these words:
1.-THE whole range Of history does no,
present to our view charactc: oh
which we can dwell with such entire
and unmlxcd admiration. The long life
Of Gen. Washington II not stained by
u single blot. He was indeed man Of
such rare endOwments aud such for.
tunatc temperament that every action
that he performed was equally cXrinp,
from the charge Of vice or weakness.
Whatever he said or did or wrote was
stamped with striking peculiar pro.
prlety.
placed In circumstance Of most try
Ing difficulty NJ the commencement Of
the American contest liz accepted that
situation which was pre.eminent In
danger ana responsibility. Ills pcrsc.
verance overcam me every obstacle; his
moderation conciliated every OPPOSE
tiOn; his genius supplied every re-
source; his enlarged view could Dlan.
revise and improve every branch Of
civil and military operation.
HE had the superior courage that
could act or fOrlear to act. Gen. Wash.
lng,on IL not the idol Of the day. hut the
hero Of ages. His fame bounded by no
country Will be confirmed to no agc.
Tho character Of Gen. Washington.
which his contemporaries respect and
admire, will be transmitted to pOsteri-
ty. and the memory Of his virtues,
while patriotism and virtue are held
sacred among men, Will remain undl.
minished."
This was the tribute Of England"
our mother country.
In all ages from time immen0rlal
man has paid homage to tho heroes III
his country. To-day the traveller sdops In
wonder ana awe before the great pyra,
m!ds Of Egypt lost In contemplation OF
their origin AMI their age. lie fingers
In meditation before the tomb Of NapO
leon In Paris; he sees In retrospect the
battles that made France famous
among nations. He visits Westminster
and there tnds the last resting place OF
the Iron Duke--WelllngtOn. But when
his footsteps take him to Mount We;
non, on the hanks Of the Potomac, and
he stands before the marble that c,ll
tailss the remains of Washington, hs
feels the Inspiration that freedom