The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-01-21
THE SUBJECT FOR A PIIILIPPIC nY
A FRENCH GENERAL.
HIS OPINION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
LAFAYETrE'S ERlGID RECEPTION Il,
THE CONGRESSMEN.
AFTERWARDS MADE A MAJOR GENERAL
THE LETTER ADDRESSED TO HIN DY
THE GENER

Gen. Rebillot has written an article on
Washington. published in the Nouvcle
Revue, which is of interest in this coun-
try. The writer seizes the opportunity
to inveigh against democracy, the United
States, England and Anglo -Saxons gen.
enrally. He has the most utter contempt
for pariaments and for citizen soldiers
and believes that standing army is the
best means to keep the multitude under
He is evidently rabid anti-Dreyfusite.
He says in part:
Washington had Il correctness of bear
ing, habits of order and prejudlces for
the forms Of Christianity which in
France would have promptly brought
upon him the cordial antipathy 81 many
Republicans who today are ultra-pancgy-
rists of his virtues. Do you see Il pres
ident of the republic at Paris who would
permit himself to go every Sunday to
religious service in a carriage drawn by
four horses? Furthermore, Washington,
who only, undertook to utter the truth
never pretended to political eloqucncc
Among all kinds of great men, the
great politician is he who has tho least
self-distrust and who has sufficient
contempt for the judgment of intelligent
people never to be incenscd at what is
foolish and commonplace. Such Il man
is sure to please.
Washington, creator and commander
of the army, had often to suffer from the
incurable mistrust and difficulties that
deliberative assemblies introduce into
military affairs. His adroit firmncss,
however, and the need they had of him.
caused him to triumph over the Amcri-
can congress without sacrificing any
thing that was essential. In Il word, he
never compounded with INSTRUMENTATION.
No one ever abused power less than hc
and showed more respect for liberty;
but in critical situations no one ever rc-
sisted more immovably the whims and
private interests that are opposed to the
less a slave to idle scr,lplcs of form and
legality.
He had, furthermore, to combat the
tenacious prejudice which is felt against
standing armies by dcmocracics whose
chmerical idea 1t is to replace them by
militia, national guards, etc. At the
beginning of the war Washington told
congress again and again that II standing
army, organized on the European model,
well paid and we'll fed, and subjected
to severe discipline, must, under pain OF
losing all, be opposed to the English
troops. In that, he said, was safety; and
as congress resisted: "ro think" eX-
claimed Washington, that once the FIRST
enthusiasm has passed away, SO many
men are going to listen to any other call
than that of self-interest, is to expect
what has never been seen and never
will be seen. Congress is wrong to count
on that. The number of those who act
disntcrestedly is SO small that 1t might
be compared to n drop of water in the
ocean; besides. as the officers will have
an opportunity to think that they are
rendering n service rather than receiving
one, there will be a complete relaxation
of discipline"
He also uttered the following words
that deserve the most careful consider
alton: "If ! was called on to answer
on oath the question have the militia
been useful or harmful to us?' / should
not hesitate to give the latter opinion. "
And, in fact, he had never been able
to use militia without having all military
spirit destroyed in the souls of his al
ready too timid soldiers by their contact.
The troops, dcmoraizcd by their cx-
ample became cowardly and brutal, and
took to pillaging; they fled when they
behcld the enemy and were never more
cntcrprising than when they looked up
on the property and persons of their fell
W-citiZens.
But at last fear of tho English, which
every day became more menacing, pre-
vailed In congress over mstrust; its
members conferred the dictatorship up
on Washington for a period of six
months. He did not abuse this power,
but the demagogues, faithful to their
character, were able to discover In his
octs encrOachments on their rights, and
pretexts to attack his motives. The
dictator used his authority only for the
advantage of the army, which he equip
ped with an ample supply of arms and
provisions. Having the sentiments of
an aristocrat, he rc-organized the staff
of officers.
What must more than all else be
avoided in the choice of officers said he,
is that officers and soldiers be men Of
too similar condition Of life; when for
mere military service does not enter in-
to consideration the rule should be that
the candidate be one who can be re-
garded as a gentleman, who has repu-