The Irish standard., 1899-12-16


is George Washington!
1t was when he was member OF the
second congress, which assembled on
the 10th OF May, 1775, that Washington
was appointed commander-in-chief OF
the army. An expression of John Ad-
ans indicated in way, too plain to be
misunderstood, that though her own
sons were in the field, and had conf
der,. - their commander, still she
wS1hA >sectional pride to gen.
e'~soei,tota b.. '.'e name of man
in whosH lik 'ence univer-
sal confdenc. 1clted would be
presented to cong. Washington,
who had foreseen what he desired to
avoid, rose from his place and retired
from the house, to leave their proceed
ings unembarrassed by his presence. A
day was fixed for entering into the Sc
lection, and on opening the ballot box.
into which the band of devoted patriots
had cast their suffrages, not another
name was found but that of George
Washington.
You know the history OF the war that
followed. You have appreciated, as you
ought, his prudence, his valor, his cour
age, his privations and his endurance.
YOU know what materials he had to
mould into an army-men who, in gen.
eral, bore devoted hearts, but who were
unused to discipline and not always pa
tient Of restraint; men whose unshod
feet often marked their track with their
blood upon the frozen road, and whose
tattered garments in the cold of winter
showed that they needed all the fervor
of their zeal for freedom to keep them
warm in its defense. Brightly do they
shine, that galaxy OF sons OF the soil
from every state OF the old thirteen, that
clustered in so mighty multitude around
that calm, steady and glowing light that
outshone them all, and yet seemed to
add to their effulgence. Well did they
redeem that noble pledge that was made
by men OF every religious denomina
ton! 1t was released, indeed, with the
loss of many a life and with the ruin
Of many noble fortune, but by the
preservation of their sacred honor.
With that honor they also preserved
and improved their liberties and un-
shackled industry from the bonds OF
colonial restriction.
I Washfngton's was not an ambition OF
glory. He sacrificed no masses of hu-
man beings in brilliant charges, that he
might gather laurels from the spot en-
riched by their gore; or that he might
indite dispatches filled with periods
rounded by the swollen phrases of de-
struction. He weighed the value of
every life entrusted to his discretion,
and would shudder at the useless ex-
posure Of even one. This course was
dictated by prudence, as we'll as by
humanity and justice. His affection for
his men caused him to feel keenly for
those whom the enemy held as pris-
oners. At first the British officers un-
dertook to treat them as rebels; indig-
nifty, llarsll1Iess and severe confinement
W&re inflicted, and it was said that these
endurances would be followd by an ig-
nominious death. In one instance the
British prisoners were marked out by
him. as victims OF retaliation. They
were on their march, under an escort,
to the place Of confinement, when they
were overtalSen by an express, who an
nounced that General Washington could
not permit himself to do what even the
usages of war sanctioned; that he could
not punish the innocent for the guilty.
He appealed to the nobler principles of
the British commander and frequently
succeeded; but his anxiety and his ex-
ertion on this score were unceasing and
laborious.
The exquisite tact which he possessed
was exhibited, together with his spirit
of moderation and respect for the feel
ings Of his brothers in arms, at the sur-
render of Yorktown. He dearly loved
and greatly esteemed the valuable men
who shared in his tolls and dangers.
His big heart distended with unusual
emotions when, on the 4th of December,
1888, he entered the room in New York
to bid final adieu to the principal Off
GERS, his companions in arms. The tear
flowed on each manly cheek. He
grasped, in succession, those hands that
had sustained, with him, their country's
cause. The embrace was that of gen.
erous soldiers and firm friends-not a
word was spoken.
And now, covered with the benedic-
tions OF his country and the admiration
OF the world, he retires again to private
lie; and there after comparatively
brief respite from the tolls OF office, he
bowed his head in resignation to the
summons which called him from this
transitory state and passed to another
world, leaving after him, not the empty
sound of what is called an immortal
name, but the mighty monument of that
freedom which we enjoy, and the glo-
rious bulwark OF that constitution by
which it is protected.
| Fellow citizens, can speak no eulogy
| Of Waeh;pr T1,oro1, t,J f-o.,,