The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-08
WASH|NGT0N'S RULE
Henry Watterson's IlIumlua-
ting Tribute to Him.
Nature put Scepire in His Grip Whose Mag c
Power Surpassed That Of Emp.rors
and Princes.
louisville Courier Journals


character and achievements of Georg,
Washington, the subject seems mex
haustible, and CLEANS of new lights are
constantly falling upon the most interest
ing and commanding figure in American
history, If not of any history. The only
statues in the Pantheon of heroes thai
even approach his in the combination OF
warrior, statesman and patriot are vii.
liam OF Orange and r. E. Lee, and of ali
rulers of the earth one thing may be
said of him which can be said of none
other; he exercised the same power over
lbs country and directed their destiny
as absolutely when in retirement, a mere
private citizen, as he did when Conn
niander-in-C Chief of the Continental Army
or when at the head of their Civil Gov
eminent. And this he did by his agrees
s!ve and commanding spirit. Hannibal
became fugitive from Carthage; Caesar
was assassinated while in the pride of
his power, and Napoleon persisted in
exile, chained Prometheus- like to bar
rem rock with the beak and claws of a
thwarted ambition gnawing at his vitals.
But Washington at Mt. Vernon remained
king of men, though he had refused
commission and declined longer to serve
as their Chief Magistrate.
And today-observed rather than yes
terday in honor of his birth--it is appro-
pirate to give an illustration of the
methods by which he achieved results so
unique and almost incredible, command
ing the voluntary and absolute subsection
of the American people to the last mo-
ment of his life; and, to great extent,
after his remains had been sealed in the
vault that still contains them. 1t mat
tiers not how unpopular was the policy
he espoused, he sat at his writing table
and prepared letters to those he wished
to advocate it, or sent messengers to
those he desired to persuade personally,
requesting their presence at Mt. Vernon.
In this way he secured the adoption
of the Constitution; and in this way he
secured the ratification of Jays treaty.
The latter was an odious measure in
almost all parts of the country. Jay
was burned in effigy in every State in
the Union. The newspapers foamed and
ragged in denunciation of Il. 1t was a
base surrender to England, they said. 1t
was treason against our hard-won liber-
ties. But Washington, though aware of
its severe conditions, knew it was the
best we could do at the time; and, pene-
trating the future with the clear, pierre
ing vision of the true prophet, foresaw
that If we could but keep peace with
England until the infant Hercules could
wax strong. the young Republic would
be able to dictate its own terms and de-
mand the justice it was then denied. He
-, -
the country and made known his wishes.
He summoned some of them to Mt. YER
non. He had met Major John Marshall
at Valley Forge, Alexander Hamilton in
producing the latter to the great chief.
With quick discernment he saw that
Marshall was a man of uncommon abili-
". and, although he had resigned his
commission before the end of the war
and had begun the practice of law in
Richmond-possibly regarded by Wash
ington as evincing some lack of patri-
otism-he kept his eye on the young bar
rister. Accordingly, he sent a servant
with a note inviting him to spend
week at Mt. Vernon. Marshall arrived
late one afternoon despatched with mud
from the wretched Virginia roads, and
with the appetite of gaunt and hungry
wolf. There was good cheer awaiting
him. The table was burdened with the
best viands and vintage, for there were
bottles here and there, and servants in
plenty ready to fill the tinkling glasses
as they became empty. The feast over,
the dishes and cloth were removed, and
the ladies retired-and it was we'll they
did.
baI coil a ch N o.
face assuming its gravesc aspect, when
you return to Richmond / want you To
run for Congress and defend Jay S
treaty"
Marshall was thunder-struck. He had
a family; he was just establishing NM
self at the bar in Richmond, and the
pay of a Congressman at the time was
not more than a thousand or twelve nun
dred dollars, not the half of what ne
was making in his profession, lie urged
these reasons for declining to make the
sacrifice, but Washington would take nc
excuses.
at is your duty, sir" he sair sterly
'the situation is a grave one, and the
country requires your services.
Marshall protested, and the argument
waxed warm. Finally the old warrior
blood was stirred by the refusal and,
bringing his great fist down hard on the
mahogany table and with a lace req
with anger, nc exclaimed:
Sir. you say you cannot make tne
sacrifice?" What have l been doing all
my life hut making sacrifices Tor my
country Have l allowed family OF lot
tune or tho comforts of my home, whlch
arc so dear to me, to interfere with mT
public duty? l have grown gray IN the
discharge of that duty, and, II need pc
l would still die in its discharge You
arc Young; your life is before you; you
have time TO repair any sacrifice IN
viewed. But, sir, 1 tell you that no man
has right to consider such SACRIFICES
when his country calls him to serve II,
and if you have any patriotism you VIII
not think OF them" And he again
brought that huge hand-which Lafay-
cite said was the largest he ever saw
on human being-down savagely, as
If he would make splinters of the ma
hogany.
In the account which Marshall gave
of the scene years after. he said that
Washington went on and abused him
until he felt like escaping under the