The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-02
y =
AN AMERICAN KING.
O'rom Our First Century," by r.

O'rom Our First Century," by r.
NJ. Devens.)
With the return of peace. and tho
achievement of Independent nationals
ity. the wisdom and patriotism Of
Washington were to be severely test
ed. and in a most unexpected manner
in connection with the form of gov
eminent to be adopted by the United
States. The English government was
regarded by many OF the strongest
American minds as. in most respects.
a model one: and by many persons
the English form of constitutional
monarchy was decided. especially by
some of the army officers. to be tho
most promising. and thus far the
most likely to he adopted by America
upon due elaboration. Universal dis
satisfaction was felt with the pro-
and conduct of congress as
a governing power. and therefore
some agency superior to that. and of
controlling provocative. was proposed
ID head, like the English sovereign.
with proper safeguards against usurp.
alton. Circumstances. Of course. in
Dictated Washington as that head. and
the next question naturally arose
under what official title should such
a head rule: The officers around
Newburgh who were associated in
this scheme called a secret meeting.
and finally determined on the title
of king, and Washington was inform.
cd of the fact. He spurned the gilded
hribe of "A kings crown. and prompt
~ and sternly rebuked the abettors
of the scheme in the following letter
addressed to their leader:
Sir: With a mixture Of great Sur
prise and establishment I have read
with attention the sentiments you
have submitted to my perusal. BE as
sured sir, no occurrence in the course
OF this war has given me more pain.
full sensations than your information
OF there being such ideas existing in
the army as YOU have expressed. and
which ] must view with adherence
and r%eprehend with severity. For the
present. the communication of them
Will rest in my own bosom, unless
some further agitation Of the matter
shall make a disclosure necessary. l
am much at a loss to conceive what
part Of my conduct could have given
announcement to an address which
mischiefs that can befall my country.
II l am not deceived in the knowledge
OF myself. you could not have found
a person to whom your schemes are
more disagreeable. At the same time,
In justice to my own feelings. I must
aou, that no man possesses q more
serious wish to sec ample justice done
to the army than I do: and. as far as
my power and influence. in a con-
stitutional way, extend. they shall be
employed TO the utmost of my abili-
ties to effect it.. should there be any
occasion. Let me ~conjure you, then,
If YOU nave any regard for your coun.
try. concern for yourself or posterity,
or respect for me to Danish these
thoughts from your mind, and never
communicate. as from yourself or any
one else. a sentiment Of the like ma
ture."
In perfect keeping with the spirit
IN which Washington treated the day-
cling offer thus so Unexpectedly set
before him was the simplicity Of his
conduct in bidding adieu to his com.
rades-in.arms. and then presenting
himself before congress. there to de-.
liver up his sword. and voluntarily
divest himself Of the supreme COM
mand-in the serene and thoughtfui
phraseolosy Of his own words, ito
address himself once more. and that
for the last time. to the armies Of the
United States. however widely dis
persed the individuals who compose
them may be. and to bid them an
ahectiOnate and long farewell,