River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-02-15
WASHINGTON
AS A
CONSTRUCTIVE
PATRIOT
BY KATHERINE POPE


Some men support the interests of
their country by defending the land
they love- Washington was both de-
fender and builder, soldier and states
man. Let us dwell on his work as
builder.
Naturally conservative, Washington
was not in favor of counting trouble
with old England; but as acts of Eng
lish aggression followed one after an
other, realized submission had ceased
to be virtue When the first CONT
mental congress met, in IVA, he ac-
copied election as delegate, and in
company with Patrick Henry set out
for Philadelphia. ''That congress sat
in Carpenters hall with closed doors,
but the great papers that it prepared
and issued form proud part OF
American history. Those were the pa
pers and that the congress OF which
Chatham in the house of lords, in his
memorable speech on the removal of
troops from Boston, January 20, 1775,
said: When your lordships look at
the papers transmitted to us from
America, when you consider their de-
cency, firmness and wisdom, YOU can
not but respect their cause, anu wish
to make it your own. For myself
must declare and avow that in AL my
reading and observation-and 1t mas
been my favorite study have read
Thucydides, and have studied and ad-
mired the master statesmen of the
world-that for solidity of reasoning,
force of sagacity, and wisdom of con-
clusion, under such complication OF
difficult circumstances, no nation Or
body Of men can stand in preference
to the general congress at Philadel-
phia.' The precise part taken by
Washington within the closed doors
OF Carpenters hall is nowhere record
ed, but the testimony of one OF its
most distinguished members cannot be
forgotten. When Patrick Henry re-
turned home from the meeting and
was asked whom he considered the
greatest man at that congress, Ire re-
piled: IF you speak of eloquence,
Mr.. Rutledge, of South Carolina, is by
far the greatest orator; but if you
speak of solid information and sound
Judgment, CoE Washington is unques.
tionably the greatest man on that
floor"
Washington was also delegate to
the second continental congress-, the
one which unanimously elected him
commander in chief of the continental
forces. and the one where he declared
the position 'trust too great for my
capacity" To us it is pleasing to
compare the modesty that character
lied Washington throughout his life
with the egotism looked upon as
forgivable, essential part of a force
full personality of the present day.
And Washington was the man to whom
Frederick the Great wrote, the words
accompanying the gift of portrait of
himself: 'From the oldest general in
Europe to the greatest general in the
world"
The two years lapsing between Corn
wallis surrender and the treaty Of
peace was a period marked by more
distinguished patriotism on the part
of Washington and by his political
wisdom and foresight. The country
"
was in a most troubled state, officers
and men suspicious that the army was
bo be disbanded without congress
making provision for meeting the just
claims of the troops. Both officers
and men began to distrust repub-
ncan form of government. Matters
went so far, an army colonel was
sent to communicate with Washing
ton and make suggestion that he as
sumo the title of king and give the
country firm government. The agent
met with a severe rebuke; this Wash
ington's answer to the suggestion:
ST am at loss to conceive what part
Of my conduct could have given en-
coura cement to an address which to
me seems big with the greatest mis-
chief that can befall my country. If
I am not deceived in the knowledge
OF myself, you could not have found
a person to whom your schemes are
more disagreeable. Let me conjure
you, then, if you have any regard for
your country, concern for youself or
posterity. or respect for me, to Danish
these thoughts from your mind, and
never communicate, from yourself or
anyone else, sentiment of like ma
tura"