The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-02-22

knew that he had gone, he had march
ed his army across New Jersey and
had passed Philadelphia on his way to
Virginia.
1t was too late for the enemy to fol-
low or to interfere with his purpose.
CORVALLIS, closed in by sea and land,
was forced to surrender his army Of
1000 men. This victory virtually clos
ed the war and it was made possible
by the keen perception, the diplomatic
tact in securing the cooperation of the
French fleet, the skillful management
SO as to keep the English forces from
uniting. the promptness of action, the
splendid energy displayed in swift
concentration of forces at Yorktown
Of Washington.
When Washington became president
he showed himself to be broad-minded
and far-seeng as statesman, as he
had previously shown himself to be
able as a soldier. We must remember
that he was the first president. He
had no precedents to guide him. He
must blaze his way through an I'M
known wilderness. denser and more
dangerous than that which, rs n boy
surveyor, he had to penetrate when
he mapped the wilds of Western vir-
ginia and the Ohio Valley And the
discretion. the high and noble CON
ception of his country's destiny which
lie manifested during those eight diff
ticult years, place him deservedly in
the very front rank of administrative
statesmen.
The capital had to be agreed upon,
the executive departments had to be
organized. state policy must he formu-
lated. a system of national finance
needed to be developed, the rela-
ton of the national government to
the states, so far as those relations
were not determined by the Consti-
tuition, must be considered. the rela-
lions of the United States to foreign
gOvernmentS-theSe and other cues
tons of vast Importance to the subse-
qucnt welfare of the young republic.
had to be ultimately determined by
Washington himself.
In one or two particulars Washing
ton, when president, rendered the re-
public services of incstimable value.
He did much to develop the idea of
nationality. To him. also, rather than
the president whose name it bears.
should be ascribed the announcement
or the principles that undcrle the
Monroe Doctrine" In his farewell
address he warned his colntlymcn
against the ''insidious wiles' of for
cIgn nations and urged them to beware
or entangling alliances During his
entire administration also he constant
~ insisted that foreign nations sho,,ld
not Interfere in American affairs, In
'hesc two attitudes are found the el
emrntS of the "Monroe Doctrine"
writers and speakers of all countries
nave phncGyri2cd Washington MS rul.
en- rs laWGivcr and as soldier. in all of
winch he appeared as star of first
magnitude in the galaxy of human
greatness. Yet it WAS as soldier +h,t
'l's great qualities show most rcsplcn-
dent since il was here that he was
most sorely tried ana had most nh.
Stacles to overcome.
Against him We're opposed soldiers
ana generals who had covered thom-
selves with honors in battles with pick
ed armies of the continent of Europe.
Then as now the foremost nation of
Europe. Great Britain. had unlimited
money and men at her command.
TO meet these Washington had un-
disciplined farmers. who were ill-fed,
ill-paid and whose families sorely
needed them at home.
Besides there were cabals formed by
rival commanders who sought his
place, the innctOn and but too fire.
uuently the Incompetence Of congress,
the treason of Arnold. the opposition
of tories. and general discomfort the
result of q long war.
In the midst Of these trials Washing
ton moved with serene front. In that
dread winter at Valley Forge. when
foot and had to sleep under ground, he
preserved his courage. No general
who has lived overcame so many OBJ
stacles as Washington.
Count D'Estang said there was not
another man in the world who could
have held together that army Mt Valley
Forge, ragged. as 1t was, and hungry
and houseless and unpaid.
At no time in the seven years did
Washington doubt of final Victory.
With sublime faith in the justice of
the cause. he waited and trusted and
planned. He would accept no defeat.
Compelled again and again to decline
battle because of the paucity of his
numbers and the limited supply Of am
munition, he persisted in his purpose
until he wore out the enemy. More
than once, by the sheer force Of his
genius, he snatched victory from de-
feat.
His courage, his patience, his SUI
preme faith inspired faith and hope
in others. He was the dog star Of the