The times., 1899-12-10

by the Continental Congress during the
entire time of the War Of the Revolution
was the selection OF General Washington
as Commanding General Of the Army. Had
the commission been given 20 any other
than George Washington, the result might
have been disastrous to the AmericaE
arms. Even while he was attending the
sessions OF Congress at Philadelphia.
Washington was In command OF the miii-
tia Of Virginia and when he occupied his
seat he was clad In his military uniform.
His services at Fort DUquesBe To- saw
ing BraddCcks army from utter anuihi-
latiOn proved his military ability and his
vaior. As a tribute 70 his prowess and
military genius although he was 40 the
time but boy OF twenty-five years. the
Governor 81 Virginia selected him I'm pref
erenCe 90 many older candidates lor a deli
cate mission to the Indians and The French
commander at Venango. To properly full
NIL such a commission required a man
With q cousummate knOwledge OF human
nature as we'll as Of wOodCraft a courage
that no threats could disturb and an in
I teilIgcuce so clear that iJ cou,s not De-
I hoodwinked ny treachery. Washington was
such a man. Not alone did he bring great
credit 20 himself. but he accomplished his
mission splendidiy. and received a high
compliment from the Virginia Governor.
While Washington had but little book
learning. he possessed rare common
sense and the facility OF discerning the
facts that were essential and Of properly
Interpreting these facts There were iu
the Continental Congress many men OF SUI
PeriOr elOquence and learning bus, said Pa
trick Henry III you want a man of solid
information and sound judgment, Colonel
Washington is by all odds the greatest man
on the floor Thus early In his career
ditioH TO his sCundHess OF Judgment Wash
ingJOn possessed TO remarkable degree
the power OF self-cOntrOl His nature was
not an ordinary or commonplace one that
a small amount Of will-pOwer could guide
His passions were fiery and intense. Wheu
once aroused, his anger appeared 90 be so
7 intense that even strong men cOwed before
it like frightened children. His viii of
iron, however, continually kept in bonds
I this unfortunate animal nature. His i'm
pstuOus temper was thus held in check
and he became a man Of rare virtues and
attributes. His devotion TO public duty
was whole-sOuled, his integrity iueorrupti-
bic, and on the whole his nature was such
that 10 appeal TO vanity OF ambition could
touch it.
John Adams suggested the name Of
Washington, and strongly urged that he be
appointed 20 the command OF the Colonial
army, and when on June 10. the nomination
was formally made in the Congress at
Philadelphia by Thomas Jefferson, Wash
ington arose, and with the greatest emo
tion. said:
since the Congress desires, will enter
upon the mOmentous duty and exert every
power l possess in their service and for
the glorious cause. But ] beg it may be
remembered by every gentlemen in the
room, that this day declare. with the Ut
most sincerity, I do not think myself equal
TO the command I am honOred with"
The following characteristic story Of an
incident in WashingtOn's life, appeared in
an Alexandria, Va, newspaper, August ..
1874.
In 1854. when Washington. in command
of the Virginia Rangers. was waiting at
Alexandria the arrival Of Braddock's forces.
an exciting election contest occurred be
tween Mr.. Fairfax and Mr.. Payne for the
House Of Burgess. Washington, with much
zeal and high words passing between him
and PAYNE in the market square at Alex
andTia, Payne struck Washington a blow
which brought him to the earth. The
troops rushed from their barracks and
would have made short work Of Payne had
Washington not paciied them, assuring
them that he knew the proper course to
/ take in the premises. Duels were not then
under the ban of public opinion
/ All supposed that a fight was immi-
nent Next morning. however, Washing
sent out for Payne, and when the latter
I entered the room, he saw on the table
not pistols. but a decantsr of wine and
/ two glasses. Mr.. Payne said. Washing
! ton, to err is human; l was wrong yester-
/ day, but if YOU have had sufficient salts
/ faction, let US be friends. Weems relates
! that from that day. Washington was
/ PayDe's idea Of true manhood. The mag
nanimity Of Washington will be better ap-
I preciated when il is reCOllected that az
I that time. there was a cloud upon his mill
/ itary prowess. Is he had been a few
months before compelled by the French
10 capitulate Fort Necessity, and had as
\ yet done nothing TO redeem his fame.
[ Colonel Payne was admitted to member
! ship in Alexandria Lodge F. and A. NJ.
/ February 20, 1884, and was one of wash
ington's pallbeaTers.