The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-14

George Washington.
When the first President Of the United
States died on Dec. IL 1899. the voice of
partisan rancor, which even he had not es-
capped, was hushed, aud an outburst OF
gratitude and sorrow on the part OF oil his
countrymen bore witness to the grandeur
Of his services and the nobility OF his char
ncter. A hundred years have passed away
and not few names once Respondent havo
faded In history's perspective, but the hg-
ure OF WASHINGTON stands forth like
mountain peak that gains isolation from
distance and from its isolation borrows
seeming increase of altitude. AS we look
back across a century we can discern what
was hidden from some OF his contempt
raries, that this mans personality was in
dispensable to the Nations birth, that,
without 1t, tho Revolution might have
failed. and, without it, the Constitution
might not have been launched successfully.
II this be true 1t Is no marvel that, in Time,
which rusts so many regulations, the fame
OF WASHINGTON has found friend
Not only while WASHINGTON was living,
but now and then since his death, there
have not been wanting men to play the
his claim to the august position which he
holds in the national heart. The most
adrot detractors are wont to praise his
moral qualities at the expense OF his intel
lect. It is, In truth, impossible to lay too
much stress upon the part which the conf
dence in wAsHISoToN's integrity played In
the development OF his incompatible infu-
eucc. How essential high-mindedness and
probity and an answering patriotism were
II the country was to DO carried through
the trials OF an eight years war, is plain
enough to those who recall the treachery
of ARNOLD, the populations attributed to
other eminent Generals, the willingness
evinced by many officers to subordinate
the general good to their personal advance
ment and the shocking decentralization OF
the Continental Congress, which, at one
period, was described by GoUvERSEUR Nor
R1s, as gang OF scoundrels.
Nor was it only by Aawless integrity,
but also by a spirit OF self-sacriice that
WASHINGTON served the patriotic cause. 1t
Is certain that II he had given way to the
natural feelings OF a high-mettled man, and
had suffered himself to be swayed by right
eous indignation and just resentment at
the time Of the Conway cabal he would
have surrendered his commission OF Com
mander-in-Chief, and would have suffered
Congress to supersede him with GATES, who
was soon to give the measure OF his talents
by leading the Continentals to disast rous
defeat at Camden. Had there been n faint
OF self-seeking in his nature; had he
been, In other words. OF the stuff
whereof CROMWELL, or NAPOLEON, OF
BOLIVAR was made. no would have given @
different reply to Che letter addressed tc
him by the officers of the Continental
Army assembled at Ncwburgh, who, after re-
citing the grievances OF which they justly
complained, expressed their desire for "a
mixed government with him at its head
and their belief that "the title OF king
would be Objectionable to few, and OF ma
terial advantage to tho country. 1t was
In no wagering, ambiguous words. but II
stern, and even angry accents that WASH
INaToN put away the crown. By that act
which became known forthwith throughout
the colonies, he SGT the seal upon the faitf
which his countrymen reposed In him, ant
transformed his individuality intoa mighty
political force such rs has never since ex
listed In the American commonwealth.
Not by ethical merit alone however Is
man fitted to conduct triumphantly a Ions
war against tremendous odds, and IL wa,
not for his virtues that WASHINGTON wa
commend I'd by tho highest military author
ity then living, that Is to say, by FREDERICK
the Great. 1t did not escape the eye OF TIN
illustrlous Prussian that, though tn
American commander, like himself, some
times suffered defeat he never once SUI
rendered an army; that he knew how L
rebound after reverses, to make an enemy
victory sterile, and wrench from him tn
fruit OF campaign When we consido
the materials OF which WAsHINdToN's leyie
wore composed, we can SEQ that il reouIre,
consummate talent to hold them togethe
at all, after the first impulse Of patrIoti
zeal had spent itself and they were in tn
grip Of hardship and privation
The battles OF Trenton and Prinoetor
which detractors have described as Skin
mishes, were appreciated by FREpERIo,
the Great at their true value; he perceive
that by those engagements, and by tn
subsequent establishment Of camp a
Morrlstown, WASHINGTON had compelle,
the British to evacuate almost the whole O
New Jersey, and had, practically. place.
them where they were at the outset of tn
campaign Those who have sought to be
little WAsHINGToN's military achievement
overlook the success of his siege Of Boston
which compelled Gen. GAGE, at tho head c
strong British force, to retire from tina
town to Halifax; and they dwell upon hi
inability to defend Long Island and Mania,
tan Island. which was an impossibility |
view OF the fact that not only a larg