The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1900-02-23

I interest or usefulness, while at times,
it was brilliant and glorious. Warning
first against the Indians and then the
French; serving in the house Of bur
gesses Of his native state; commanding
the continental army through seven
years; presiding officer OF the eOnTen-
! ton which framed the federal cOnsti-
tuition; eight years president-whata
/ life, and how pregnant with memories.
And no Offense had come through
I him All that he had dOne-this his
conscience told-Was for the good Of
others. No man was more free than he
/ from that selfshness which aims to
succeed for the glory OF success. His
had been the ambition to do and dare,
because the times demanded that he
move forward and take others with
him Under ordinary conditions, such
/ the retiringness Of his nature, he would
I have lived his life out, a dignified and
honored Virginia planter, yet practi-
caIly unknown beyond the narrow
limit Of his aristOcratic acquaintance.
Doubtless, too, his had been a happier
/ life in this way; for his nature, while
great, was too gentle to withstand with
equanimity the rude storms which as
sail those who climb to the top Of the
mountains Of glory.
Recalling this life Of busy activity,
ashe frequently did, there came to his
quickened spirit the memory Of the
bitter with the sweet. While preemi-
nently a great man, he was, withal,
essentially human, and it is the weak
ness Tor strength of humanity that it
does not forget wrongs. Forgiveness
Of injury is a Divine attribute, and
Washington was not Divine. It was
asking too much that he love those
who had used him, guiltless, so despite
fully. Yet, In his retirement, he who
had done so much for the people saw
his enemies with a firm hold on power,
while he was seemingly forgotten. 1t
was his to know how easily one may
pass out Of the great public notice, and
become as one that Is dead, although
yet alive and full Of the fire and the
love Of a mighty existence.
Yet, scarcely more than four months
after his retirement lin July, 1T97l,
when there was danger from a foreign
! foe, all eyes were turned towards Wash
ingtOn, and he promptly accepted posi-
ton as head Of the army. The menace
| passed, but he continued to be general
of the army until the the time Of his
death.
Washington was, ever, a busy man,
In private as well as in public life. At
Mount Vernon he made a daily tour Of
his estate and gave personal direction
to its man agement, even to small de-
tails. 1t was he who bought and he
who sold. His the mind that directed
where this kind Of grain should be
sowed, and what kind of fertilizer
| should be used. He was a masterful
| and therefore q very successful farmer
1t was IN the line of duty, making
round Of his plantation during driv-
/ ing rainstorm on the 18th day of Dec
ember, that he contracted a cold, which
eliminated two days later in his death.
He was q royal entertainer. Guests
were at the old mansion day in and
day ont all the year rOund-friends
from the old world, statesmen OF his
| own country, and his old comrades in
arms. Then there were the neighbOr-
ing gentry, friends OF a lifetime. Wash
ingtOn joined in dancing the stately
minuet, or in the recOunting of stories
Of field and food. Dignified ever, be
yet unbent before his guests, being
most genial and lovable of hosts. Here
with his wife were her children and
theirs, all Of whom Washington had
adopted and loved as his own. His
guests, and his loved and the manage
ment Of his large estates, left him but
little time for other things, aud yet
memory was alive aud would evoke
ghosts from the past, which entered
the banquet hall Of the then present.
During q years, 1T76-1797, he had
been the. cynOsure Of all eyes, the fore
most man Of his day and time. Living,
ardent, glowing with vigorous life, ca
pable Of doing yet greater things, he
had stepped aside, aud now was but a
simple Virginia gentleman.
He did not complain. Here at Mount
Vernon, as at Valley Forge and at New
York and Philadelphia, one might see
the greatness Of his spirit and love him
all the more for it.
Most pathetic Of all was his death.
He, the strong man, robust in health,
bled to death for q slight cold that
needed no bleeding. First his .OYerseer
drew away a quart Of the life fluid.
Then Dr.. Cratic, the family doctor,
drew away a quart more, and Drs. Dick
and Brown, arriving later, an addition