Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-03-08
WASHINGTON'S MAGNANIMITY
He Agreed with the Man Who he-
fused to Stop I'm the Road
to Let Him Pass.

Here is an incident in WashingtCn's
life in my possession, illustrating his
magnauimity, which has never been
given TO the general public;
Some years ago, in Monson, Mass, at
a Fourth of July celebration, in re-
Spouse to sentiment concerning
George Washington, Rev. Alfred Ely,
D. D., related the following incident,
of which he was an eyewitness. give
it in his own words:
when boy L resided in West
Springfield, Mass, and worked on
farm. In the autumn of the year 1859
l was engaged with my employer III
gathering a load of eornstalks from
a field not far distant from the Connec-
ticut river. My employer had driven
the loaded team from the 10; and left
me as usual to put up the bars. While
thus occupied l noticed the approach
of four fine horses and large vehicle.
There was no driver upon the carriage,
but astride the nigh horse OF each span
was a young mulatto position. There
were also two outriders and footman.
The yehicle-in which was seated q
gentleman whose striking personal APP
pearance impressed me-was called In
those days a chariot. 1t was entirely
unique and unlike anything now in use,
except its running part. saw the out
riders gallop on in advance Of the char
lot and hold a parley with my employ
err, who occupied the entire road with
his loaded cart. The roads at that time
were so narrow that two teams could
not pass unless one yielded the way to
the other. 1 perceived that my EN-
ployer Yielded none Of his right to the
road, and that the chariot was detained
by the cart until they reached turnout
where the cortege passed by soon
overlook my employer and inquired
who the distinguished parsonage was
who had just passed us, and was In
formed that it was George Washing
ton. 1 obtained permission to run on
and see If could catch another glimpse
of the great chieftain whose deeds dur
ing the war had so filled my wondering
fancy. AS there was no bridge across
the Connecticut river at that time' L
hoped that the ferry boat might be on
the opposite side, and that l might
roach the bank before it arrived. IN
this was not disappointed. l tound
Gen. Washington standing on the bahk
of the river, dressed in a snutf-colored
surtout with long lapelled vest OF the
same color and material and IL small
clothes and boots, and the most maJes-
tic and dignihed looking man he was
that ever saw.
"While l was gazing upon him, one OF
his positions drove up and, dismount-
ing and uncovering his head, said IN the
most deferential manner, and with an
expression of injured dignity;
"'Your excellency, as we were dr1V-
ING along. a little way back, we over
took man with loaded cart, who oc'
cupied the entire road. I asked him &c
ston his team that we might pass by
He declined. then told him that Pres
Ident Washington was in the chariot
He again refused and said that ne
would not stop-that he had as good
right TO the road as George Washing
ton had
"The simple reply of Washington
was: And so he had! The position
after a moments look of wonder ann
astonishment at the condescensiOn Of
the president Of the United states I, Is.
quietly put on his hat and mounted T. MI !,
horse l watched the cortege until Il
was out of sight, but my impression
and memory of Washington are as yivic
and distinct this moment as If hae
seen the great man only yesterda,. -
Rev. Frederick Alvord, in n. T. lnue
pendent.