Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-23
wASHINGTON'S MAGNANIMITY.
An Incident of His Passage Through
West Springfield in 1883.

Rev Frederick Alvord in the Independent.
An incident IN Washington's life in my
possession illustrating his magnanimity.
which has never been given to the general
public. has special value at the time OF the
one hundredth anniversary Of his death,
which occurred on December II. Some
years ago, in Monson, Mass, at Fourth
Of July celebration. in response to a senti-
ment concerning George Washington, Rev.
DR.. Alfred Ely. for sixty years pastor Of
the Congregational Church in that town.
and whose death occurred in 1866, related
the following incident, of which he was an
eyewitness. l give it In his own words:
When boy l resided IN West Spring
field, Mass, and worked on a farm. In the
autumn of the year 1889 I was engaged
with my employer in gathering load of
cornstalks from field not far distant from
the Connecticut river. Ny employer had
driven the loaded team from the lot and
left me, as usual to put up the bars. While
thus occupied l noticed the approach of
four fine horses and large vehicle. There
was no driver upon the carriage, but
astride the nigh horse of each span was a
young mulatto position. There were also
two outrders and a footman. The vehicle,
in which was seated a gentleman whose
striking personal appearance impressed me,
was called in those days a chariot. 1t
was entirely unique and unlike any
thing now in use, except its running part.
| saw the Outriders 8allop on in advance
of the chariot and hold parey with my
employer, who occupied the entire road
with his loaded cart. The roads at that
time were so narrow that two teams could
not pass unless one yielded the way to the
other. l perceived that my employer
yielded none of his right to the road, and
that the chariot was detained by the cart
until they reached a turnout where the
cOrtege passed by. I soon overlook my en-
ployer and inquired who the distinguis he'd
parsonage was who had just passed us. and
trrac info nod no tnroG
ton. 1 obtained permission to run on and
see if / could not catch another glimpse of
the great chieftain, whose deeds during the
war had so filled my wondering fancy AS
there was no bridge across the Connecticut
river at that time. 1 hoped that the ferry
boat might be on the opposite side and that
| might reach the bank before it arrived
In this was not disappointed. l found
Gen. Washington standing on the bank of
the river. dressed in snuff colored sur-
tout. with a long-lapeled vest Of the same
color and material and in small clothes and
boots and the most majestic and dignified
looking man he was that I ever saw
while l was gazing upon him one of bis
positions drove up. and, dismounting and
Lncovering his head, said in the most defer
entail manner, and with an expression of
injured dignity:
Your excellency, as we were driving
along, little way back, we overlook mar
with loaded cart. who occupied the entire
road. I asked him to stop his team that we
| might pass by He declined. I then told
him that President Washington was In the
chariot. He again refused, and said that
he would not stop-that he had as good a
right to the road as George Washington
had
The simple reply of Washington was
And so he had" The position, after mo.
ment's look Of wonder and establishment a,
the condescenson of the President of the
United States. quietly put on his hat and
mounted his Horse. / watched the cortege
until it was out Of sight, but my impression
and memory OF Washington are as vivid
and distinct this moment as IL had seen
the great man only yesterday