New-York tribune., 1906-06-25
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A DEFENCE OF WASHINGTON.
Reply to an Attack on His Character and
Churchmanship.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
| Sir: speaker at the dedication of the Pennsyl-
vania Bay at Washington Memorial Chapel. Valley
| Forge. faulted Washngtons churchmanship and so
| forth, praising the man. If his education was
| 'meagre,' a pupil should follow his example in
making the most of his means of education, if they
J are limited
| As to winning battles consider his position and
| duty. and Alexander Hanilton's estimate of his
actions. Hamilton, whom Guizot named as one
who contributed powerfully to every element of
order, of force Of duration in the Constitution of
the United States" wrote: IF the government be
adopted it is probable General Washington will be
President of the United States. This will insure
wise choice OF men to administer the government
and good administration" He speaks of the
universal popularity" of Washington. C'Life of
Alexander Hamilton" by his son, John c. Hamil-
ton' Vol II, pp. 556. 557 note. and $50. 1922
The mutny. concerning payment of troops in
Philadelphia of new recruits" during session of
Congress forcing that body to go temporarily to
Princeton CLife of Hamilton" II. 220223, the
trouble as TO financial matters with foreign gov
ernments. and the differences of opinion as TO the
points Of the Constitution and state rights made
oflciaI life hard in the early history of our gov
ernment
Washington was brave enterprising and eau
tous" His officers inexperienced His ad-
versary excelled him in numbers and disciplne and
Fabian policy needful. Too much enterprise
would have hazarded his cause. His integrity over
rode prejudice. cabal and intrigue c'Marshalrs
Life. Vol V. pp. IA 775 and 777D
Slave holding is criticised Washington wished IN
free his slaves, but the dover slaves of his wife
S,s ere Legal ehstafe that kept him from action in
Jersey - eNSS wanna ana Ne"
As 10 property. while his wife and Lawrence
Washington did much for him. his faithful manage
ment OF Mount Vernon and his knowledge of West
with his fortune His refusing a sum. then fort.
Gne 3a from virginia and giving it to public uses
rShG Washington was not confirmed yrginas first
Years D 6S @ Thsn Th FstSs1 % on about eg
The Bishop was president of William and MAJ
College, Williamsburg and may have made few
Church Cyclopsdia, s. F. Hotchkin's article "'Vir-
ohsfSh bs R own PFssSgssFlan FsqGgst
life Of the Bishop states @ H that r he bifa did W noi
commune com when attending Christ Church Phiiadei-
washington was vestryman in Pohick Church
Truro Parish Fairfax Parish, and in Christ Church
going TO ruin, but the place where Colonial Vir-
on horsebacE has been restored n baye Ta9
ago attended the Alexandria church. with lis
ssIIrong congregation Both are several miles from
1t was needless TO speak of Washington's vestry
troubles, vestrynen are rot angels and fan1iIy
differences are not for the public Let his patience
Colonel Temple frequently. in the French and
snqian sqSnre wan ara knew that Washington read the
the chaplain was absent CWeems's washington,
His rector, the Rev, Lee Massey. testified to his
constant attendance at church with a reverence
that anected the congregation. When he had
guests they were asked TO join him. As President
IN Philadelphia, his attendance at church was
constant and cheerful
Chief Justice Marshall speaks Of Washington's
hospitality and benevolence (Vol. V. pp. 77D This
was great and abundant "
. Chief Justice Marshalls volumes are valuable
Tor ne knew Washington. I passed the iulge's
old brick house. in Richmond. with the yenerate5
Or fiaiEht an assistant minister Of Trinity
Church New York and the good man lifted his hat
tice ' e1 JUS
Marshalrs Life Of Washington" Vol V n ST
giving Washingtons address the Governors Of
the states, in A D. 1873. contains the Christian
words to demean ourselves win that charity
huTnlllty and pacific temper Of mind which were
the characteristics of the Divine Author Of o1r
blessed religion, without humble imitation Of
whose example in those things we can never hone
70 be happy nation" Washington was a daily
Bible reader by his mothers influence
NO people can be bound to acknowledge and
adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the AZ
fairs or men more than those of the United States
First Inaugural Address.
Registrar of the Diocese of Pennsvivania
Rustleton. Philadelphia
Note Washington's western lands were bought
before his marriage.-Sparkss Life OF Washf5et
ton Vol I. PIP. l05 1861 -s
Washington Irvings Life Of Washington says
that ne was communicate Vol l. n S13) Anpie-
tons Cyclopedia also asserts it.
The Rev. Lee Massey, Washington's rector his
family said. gave testimony that Washington was
a communicant. Bishop Meade's ''Old Churches
and Families of Virginia" Vol II u 2SA Otbars