Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-02-21
GEORG E2NNSF nNGTON~

without an adequate provision by Con-
gress for meeting the claims of the
troops, these discontents manifested
themselves in audible murmurs and
complaints, which foreboded serious
consequences. But spirit still more
to be dreaded was secretly at work
In rejecting on the limited powers Of
Congress, and on the backwardness Of
the states to comply with the most
essential requisition, even In support
of their own. interests, many of the
officers were led to look for the cause
in the form Of government, and to
distrust the stability of republican in
situations. So far were they carried
by their fears and speculations that
they meditated the establishment of
new and more energetic system. A
colonel in the army, Of highly re-
spectacle character and somewhat ad-
vanced in life, was made the organ
for communicating their sentiments to
the commander-in-chief. In a letter
deliberately and skilfully written, after
describing the gloomy state Of affairs,
the financial difficulties, and the in
Vulnerable endorsements in which
the country had been involved during
the war on account of it's defective
political organization, the writer adds
This must have shown to all, and
to military men in particular, the
weakness of republics, and the exer-
lions the army have been able to make
by being under proper head. There
fore little doubt that, when the ben
efits of mixed government are point
ed out and duly considered such will
be readily adopted. In this case 1t
will, believe, be uncontroverted, that
the same abilities, which have led us
through difficulties, apparently insur-
mountable by human power, to victory
and glory, those qualities that have
merited and obtained the universal es-
TEEN and generation of an army, would
be most likely to conduct and direct
us in the smoother paths of peace.
Some people have so connected the
ideas Of tyranny and monarchy as to
find it very difficult to separate them.
1t may therefore be requisite to give
the head of such constitution as l
propose some title apparently more
moderate; but, If all other things were
once adjusted, l believe strong argyll
ments might be produced for admitting
the title Of King, which l conceive
would be attended with some material
advantages"
To this communication, as uneXpect-
Cd as it was extraordinary in its con-
tents, Washington replied as follows:
"Newburg, % May, 1882.
"Sir-With mixture of great sur
prise and establishment l have read
with attention the sentiments you have
submitted to my perusal Be assured,
sir, no occurrence in the course of the
war has given me more painful sensa-
tions than your information of there
being such ideas existing in the army
as you have expressed, and | must view
with adherence and reprcheaa with
severity. For the present, the COM
munication of them will rest in my
own bosom, unless some further agi-
tation of the matter shall make dis
closure necessary
what part of my conduct could have
given encouragement to an address,
which to me seems big with the great
est mischiefs that can befall my coun
try. If am not deceived in the knowl-
edge of myself. you could not have
found person to whom your schemes
are more disagreeable. AT the same
time, in justice to my own feelings, |
must add that no man possesses a
more sincere wish to see ample justice
done to the army than l do. and as
far as my powers and influence, in a
constitutional way extend, they shall
be employed to the utmost of my abil-
tiles to effect it should there be any
occasion. Let me conjure you. then.
If you have any regard for your coun-
try, concern for yourself or posterity,
or respect for me, to Danish these
thoughts from your mind, and never
communicate, as from yourself or any
one else, sentiment of the like ma
ture. am, sir, etc.
George Washington"
Such was the language of Washing
ton, when, at the head Of his army and
at the height of his power and popu-
larity, it was proposed to him to be-
come a king After this indignant re-
ply and stern rebuke, it is not prob
able that any further advances were
made to him on the subject.
II r. & Il