The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-14

III Wv
The death of Washington, which oc-
Cured one hundred years ago to-day. did
almost as much to unity the new Republic
as his services I'm life had done TO found IL.
1t was the first event that had occurred
since the adoption of the Constitution to
cause national mourning. and the effect
was softening upon the personal and politi-
cal asperities of the times. Washington
farewell address" had been given TO the
country Sept. IL. 1896. and his second term
as President expired March 4. 1871. Since
then he had lived in dignifed retirement at
Mount Vernon, taking no part in public af-
| fairs, but regarded by his countrymen and
by intelligent foreigners throughout the
world as still the most colossal and COM
handing figure in America. There is
scarcely another instance in history Of a
man occupying for so many years so prom
inent a place during a stormy period of
history, and at the zenith Of his fame and
| popularity voluntarily withdrawing from
public affairs to the complete retirement OF
private life. His public career began when
he was ~forty-three years old and ended
when he was sixty-five. From IVA TO 1897,
first as a delegate to the Continental Con-
gress, then as commander-in-chief of the
continental army. then as president Of the
constitutional convention. and finally as
President of the United States for eight
years. he was easily the foremost man of
that heroic period. He never sought an Of
flee or an honor from the people nor ever
accepted any remuneration for his services.
either as a soldier or a civilian. The Ma
ton is rich in the possession of the men,
DRY of such a character, career and ex-
ample.
took no active part in public affairs after
his retirement from the presidency. in 1871,
but he was ready to do so on the call of his
country. During the first year of the adj
ministration of his successor, John Adams,
when there was imminent danger of war
with France. the country looked to him to
command the army. Adams wrote him at
Mount Vernon: w must have your name,
if you will permit us to use it. There will
be more efficacy in 1t than in many an
army" Washington finally consented. and
on July 3, 1898, he was again commissioned
as lieutenant general and c~ommander-in-
chief of all the armies raised or to be
raised in the United States" He selected
his chief Of staff and began the work of
reorganizing the army, but war was
ax,orfad ord HE f,,rthar Sar-iooS u-ara not
required.
Those were days of slow communication,
and news of Washington's death at Mount
Vernon on Dec. Ia did not reach Phila-
delphia. where Congress was sitting, until
Dec. Is, the day OF his funeral. 1t was for
mally communicated to Congress by Presi-
dent Adams on Dec. 1g, in a special mes
sage. The Senate adopted an appropriate
address. eulogizing his character and
career and concluding: Let his country
men consecrate the memory of the heroic
general. the patriotic statesman and the
virtuous sage. Let them teach their chill
dren never to forget that the fruit of his
labors and his example are their inheri-
lance" The President replied in an elo-
quent and touching address. concluding
with: His example is now complete, and
it will teach WISDOM and virtue to magis-
trates, citizens and men, not only in the
present age. but in future generations, as
long as our history shall be read.' h
House of Representatives adopted appro-
pirate resolutions, and, headed by the
speaker. called in a body on the President
to express its sense of the irreparable
loss sustained by the Nation in the death
of that great and good man. the illustrious
and beloved Washington" AS the news
spread meetings were held throughout the
United States TO express the popular grief.
Napoleon Bonaparte, ordered the standards
and flags of the French army to be bound
with Grape for ten days. The British fleet
of sixty vessels, lying off an English port,
lowered their flags halfmast. This was the
beginning of the worlds tribute to the
character of Washington, which has been
strengthened and continued by history.
On the hundredth anniversary of his death
his countrymen do we'll to recall his life,
character and public services.
"A correspondent of the Journal takes
issue with its statement that the Secretary
of Wars clear and forcible presentation of