The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1906-02-23
WASHINGTON AS A
CONSTRUCTIVE PATRIOT
CBy Katherine Pope.)

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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
Hsh aggression followed one after an
other, realized submission had ceased
TO be a virtue When the first CONT
mental congress met, in 1774, he ac-
cepted election as delegate, and in
company with Patrick Henry set out
for Philadelphia. That congress met
in Carpenters hall with closed doors,
but the great papers that it prepared
and issued form a 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 IOrdships look at
the papers transmitted to US from
America, when you consider their de-
cency, fTmness and wisdom, you can
not but respect their cause, and wish
to make it your own. For myself I
must declare and avow that in all my
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 if con-
clusiOn, under such a complication Of
difficult circumstances, no nation or
body Of men can stand in preference
to the general congress at PhiladeI-
phiap The precise part taken by
Washington within the closed doors
Of Carp enters hall is nowhere record
ed, but the testimony Of one Of its
most distinguished members cannot be
forgotten. When Patrick Henry re-
Nt1rned home from the meeting and
was asked whom he considered the
greatest man at that congress- he 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, Colonel Washington is IN
questiOnably 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 a 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
forgivabIe, essential part Of a force
full personality Of the present day.
The two years lapsing between
CORVALLIS surrender and the treaty
Of peace was a period marked by
more distinguished patriotism on the
part Of Washington and by his poll
teal wisdom and foresight The cOun-
try was in a most troubled state, Of
ficers and men suspicious that the
army was to be disbanded without
congress making provision for meet
ing the just claims Of the troops. Both
officers and men began to distTust a
republican form Of government Nat
tiers 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 a firm government The agt ut
ret with 4 severe rebUa; this Wash
ington's answer to the suggestion:
Il am at a loss to conceive what part
Of my conduct could have given en-
couragement to an address which to
me seems big with the greatest mis-
Giafef that can befall my country If
am not deceived in the knowledge
q myself, you could not have found
q DCAS0AA ~ NAAOAAA , Jul SATELLITES d
more disagreeabie- . Let me cOnjure
you, then, II you have any regard for
your country, cOncers for yourself or
posterity, or respect for me, to Danish
these thoughts from your mind, and
never communicate, from yourself or
anyone else, a sentiment Of like na-
ture."
The discomfort and apprehension
continued, a meeting Of officers was
arranged and there were issued the
'sNewburg Addresses" intended to
arouse the army to resentment. Wash
ington, unlimited, attended the meet
ing and made an address, in which he
declared the claims Of the army would
not be desregarded, and begged mis-
hearers ''to express their utmost hor-
ror and detestatiOn Of the man who
wishes, under any speciOus pretense,
to Overturn the liberties OF our coun-
try. and who wickedly attempts to
open the hoodgates Of civil discord
and delgue our rising empire in
blood The result Of his appeal, resO-
Iutfons were unanimously adopted
concurTing in the policy he proposed.
Shortly before the dissolution Of the
army Washington addressed a letter
to the governors OF the states, urging
upon them realization OF the four
things essential to the existence and
Eell-being Of the United States;