The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-02-25

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work. When we consider the material
and resources at bis command as com.
pared with those of the enemy, and his /
lack of experience in handling large
troops, we must admit that his success
was remarkable. More wonderful, how
ever, was his indomitable courage and
perseverance in the face of every dis
couragement. en- the part of the people,
congress and jealous generals.
On Dec. 4th, 1888, Washington took
leave of his comrades in so many perils
and sufferings; and few days later he
resigned his commission to congress in
a speech full of wisdom and earnest
devotion to the interest of his country.
Before separating, the officers formed
themselves into friendly society called
the "Cincinnati," in memory of the
noble Roman, Cincinnatus, who left
his plow to serve his country in war,
and return ed 20 his peaceful pursuits
as soon as the victory was won.
At the close Of the war Washington
looked eagerly for renewal of his do
mestic life, but again heroically sacri-
feed his private desires for his coun-
try's good in accepting the presidency.
AS president he was frequently critl-
cised for his aristocratic tendencies,
but he earnestly defended himself from
cavils which in the light of the present
day seem bene ath his notice. No man
of his time had more trust in the re ason
and conscience of his fellow men or
knew better how to take their advice.
Whenever he had anything of import
ance to do, it was his custom to pre-
pare himself for it carefully, and when
others ere at fault, they often found
that he had already prepared the way,
so that men willingly gave him the
lead, which he never appeared to claim,
altho always able to undertake.
| do not believe that any of us can
read the life of Washington without
admiring the simplicity and truth, the
patriotism, erseve ance. integrity and
diligence displayed during his career.
His one ambition seems to have been
a desire to excel in the minds of men
by the development of high qualities,
the love, in short, of an h n9rable tame
that stirred him to exult in the rewards
of popular favor. His eight years az
president was of far more importance
to our country than his eight years
command of our armies, for it was
while under his faithful care tha. new
. period of prospe ity teyan. The honor
of the government was sustained by
} secure provision for tie payment of it'
{ debts, confidence and order were es
: tablished, commerce began to f1ourisl
l and the products of the soil became
2 vast W. alth. In spite of the complaint
e of restless politicians, the people love-
i the government, for they found it wei
0 able to secure their peace and happl
4 ness.
at the close of his second admlnis
tration he once more resumed tn
d quiet round of plantation life. Noun
,, Vernon was an estate comprising seve
# or eight thousand acres, half of whic
q was under cultivation and was worl e
% by two or three hundred slaves. Whe
% at home Washington personally supe
d intende his affairs I'd kept his ow
is books, in ia It, it is said that during h
ID entire absence he had an exact repo
ic of each weeks transactions sent to hi
y by mail.
is During the year of 1898 Virginia pr
D. sented him with canal stock valued
n $4,000 in return for his services to tt
ne state and nation. This lie accepte
but only to- assist two institutions
I'd le earning; a college in Virginia, nc
II. called the "Wasbington and Lee Ul
N. versity," and a school at tie capital
,r- the United States.
to 1t was while taking his usual ri
he over the plantation on the morning
he the twelfth of December, 1899, that
nd was caught in cold storm of rain a
sleet. A few days later he was
lat tackled with the sudden illness whi
,es ended his granl and useful life. I
7as whole nation mourned him as faith
re- and those who had been his opponel
;be were most sincere in doing him hon
she No character was more free from {