The Washington herald., 1909-08-08
Credit Due to Gen. Washington
Now Too GrudgingLy Given

There has recently arisen in Boston 8
claimant for the lands given TO Gen.
Washington by the country in recogni-
ton OF his services as a patriot A ply
sicicn Of Boylston street states he has
positive proof that ne is a descendant
OF the family Of Washington, and thinks
''lhs land is worth striving after so has
put in a claim for all the land given
/ TO George Washington by this country. %
and has begun a legal ngnt 10 obtain
title and possession.
A cynical writer once declared that the
goddess OF Fame was kind 10 the
first President in denying him posterity.
in view OF the utter selhshness OF this
latest claim, the declaration might be
amended to a wish that the great general
might have resembled ToDsy IN having
Just growed," and therefore enjoyed a
paucity Of relatives also.
The whole idea Of making gain out OF
the land he loved was entirely foreign
to the character OF Washington. as is
shown by many incidents OF his varied
career. When he rejected the anonymous
proffer of a crown and reouked the act
so scornfully and with such sincerity
that the fomentor OF thi some and only
conspiracy against Washingtons honor
wrote IN remorse. You are in my eyes
a great and good man"
John Adams. a son OF Massachusetts.
who understood the character Of Wash
! ington-he lived nearer the light. TO be
sure-in a maner beyond the comprehed-
sion Of the present-day Boston claimant.
wrote as early as l774 10 his friend. FL
bridge Gerry. who died in this city while
Vice President. his estimate OF Washing
tons disinterestedness In speaking OF
the patriotism which induced Washington
70 turn from the peace and plenty OF a
very cOngenlal life al Mount Vernon "a
face difficulty, danger. and possible death
/ for the love OF his country, Adams says.
There IS something charming 20 me IN
the conduct Of Washington. A gentleman
Of cne OF the first fortunes upon the con-
tinent. leaving his delicious retirement
and family and friends. sacrificing his
ease. and hazarding all In the cause OF
his country. His views are noble and
disinterested. He declared when he ac-
cepted the mighty trust that he would
lay before US the exact account OF his
expenses. and not accept a shilling for
pay"
Lately the country at large seems 10
be suffering from reaction from the period
OF generalization OF the character and life
Of Washington, and Is hardly giving him
the credit that belongs 90 him. Admirers
sometimes wish the first President had
been more pliabIe. anable. and willing 20
curry favor 10 a larger extent with the
people; but II Is 10 be remembered that
he was a republican. and a consistent
one. and probably the last except Lafay-
cite, Of the school Of Milton; a very diff
ferent propositin from the repUblicanism
OF to-day which would have been con-
sicered very democratic, indeed. BY Gen.
Washington.
Again. much OF WashinCton's early life
had been spent in the solitude of camp
and in lonely surveys. Then when fame
came 10 him IL came in such great meas
ure that II brought with IL the isolation
OF those in high place. knowing that his
temper was high when aroused. and be
ing a Just man. Washington seemed al
ways 70 be holding himself with a tight
rein, ali Of which made for repression
and killed any charm Cf spCntaneity he
may originally have possessed. Washing
ton was a good houSeEeepr. though nor a
generous one. and from this distance
IL seems 20 Us small that the mind which
could plan a successful campaign and
carry II through In the face Of storm,
wild country. and an empty war chest.
should give directions as 20 the number
OF candles the household might use and
what curtains were 10 be put IN the
first executive mansion; still this atten-
ton 20 detail made him a dependable
quantity. There is no record Of his ever
breaking a promise. and those who had
business dealings with him forgot his
susteritics in his integrity II was The
custom OF Virginia planters living on tide
water 10 ship their crops direct from
their estates 10 London. Bristol or 10 the
West Indies. and II is an historical fact
that Washington's farm products were so
well put up and quantity and quality SO
strictly Up 10 requirement. that the iiour
bearing the brand OF George Washing
ton, Mount Vernon. Virginia" was ex-
empted from the customary inspection in
the British West Indian ports.
Washington was possesset OF q pune
tiiious mind. If one might be allowed the
expression; he seemed 10 think out every
possible situation in advance. This robbed
his actions Of grace. gave a cut-and dried
manner 10 everything he did. Mrs Alex
ander, Hamilton, who owned his silver
wine coolers when she lived here on II
street, and often told her young friends
OF little characteristics OF the great man
and anecdotes she came IN possession OF
when her husband was aid 20 Washing
ton and she was with her friend, Mrs.
Washington in camp This lady said
Washington never received with Mrs.
Washington at her receptions during the
days OF the republican court" but was
always in attendance as a caller 10 pay
HIS respects, dressed IN the proper cos
tune for visiting and wearing a dress
sword and carrying his lace-trimmed