The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-14

to Philadelphia to see that the evil was
remedied. In other ways, quietly and mod
estly, Washington performed active du-
ties as lieutenant general and command
er-in-chief of all the armies of the United
States, solely because of the deep interest
he still felt in the peace and prosperity of
his beloved country.
It will be remembered that 1 once had
a spirited controversy with the late Gen.
Henry C. Wayne, through the Morning
News, on the character of Washington's
acceptance of the commission rendered,
Gen. Wayne contending that he never ac-
cepted the lower rank of lieutenant gem
eral," but simply accepted the title of
''commander-in-ch While it Is true
that Washington, in his formal acceptance
did not refer to the rank of lieutenant
general, using the words commission of
commander-in-chief," it is also of record
that in his army service he designated
himself officially as lieutenant general
Then it is a well known fact that in the
army titles are always founded upon rank,
like those of chaplain, surgeon, paymaster,
ETC. Washington could not be commander
in-chief without any military rank, as for
example the President becomes comman-
der-in-chief by virtue of being President.
There can be no question of the fact-be-
cause it is hstory-that Washington ac-
cepted unhesitatingly the lower rank of
lieutenant genearl with the title of COM
mander-in-chief of all the armies of the
United States.
And now comes the browning glory of
Washington's pure and unselfsh patriot
ism. There were men even in those early
days who felt that a military chieftain
should not accept a subordinate or lower
rank than he formerly held So Con-
gress passed another act, making WASH
ington full general-a rank never be-
fore created in the United States army.
Col. H. L. Scott who was inspector gen.
eral of the army in 1868, claims that
President Adams was angered by this ac-
ton of Congress, which he considered the
putting of a general over a President.
But my reading of history shows no such
state of affairs. President Adams said
he would gladly make Washington Presi
dent in his own stead, in that crisis. if
he had the power, and, therefore, Col.
Scott errs when he claims that the Presi-
dent refused to commission Washington
as a full general. 1t was Washington
himself who refused to accept the COM
mission, and he very wisely did it upon
the ground that it would trench upon the
prerogatives of the President" Now II
was not Adams but Washington, who
took this ground
l have not time to discuss this import
ant point more than to say that the title
of general and admiral have no place in
q
ours, the President, by law, being the
general-admiral of our land and naval
forces Washington not only displayed a
wise and common sense craftsmanship in
his view of the matter, but he left on rec
ord by his sublime conduct in refusing ths
higher rank rendered, a lesson that, while
If failed to have due effect upon some
generals in modern times stands as the
gr4ndest monument that the Father of
His Country" erected for himself in the
hearts of his grateful countryman. Gen.
Knox refused a lower rank, even when
rendered him by Washington, but the no
bile Gen Pinckney Of South Carolina
gladly accepted it. And So to-day Maj.
Cen Joseph Wheeler, U. S. ", once the
most dashing lieutenant general in the
Confederate armies, accepts the lower
rank of brigadier general and cheerfully
goes off 20 the Philippines to serve under
newiv-made major generals who were his
subordinate officers in the Santiago cam
paigns This is patriotism-this IS sink
ing ones own SELF IN the country wei
fare and safety.
Grant and Sherman and Sheridan went
10 their graves with ali the honors of the
rank of full general, but Washington, the
''Father of His Country" he who was
FIRST in war first in peace and nrst ~
the hearts OF his countrymen," died mold
ing the lower rank of lieutenant general,
and was buried with the military honors
due thar lower rank. Il VIII be well for
all our people, old and young. military and
civil officers to bear this fact in mind.
He never sought the honors or emoluments
that follow in the steps OF selfish ana am
bitious men. but served his country i'm any
posltion. however humble and burdensome'
"a which he was called. His browning
act of unselfish subordinate service in
~ declining years, II seems 70 me, Is the
brightest page in all the history OF his
long. useful and honorable career, and
essows him to have been the grandest
American this republic con boast Of and
pay homage 10 in memorial tributes Ike
those which occur tomorrow.