Graham guardian., 1912-02-23
WASHINGTON'S VISION
What the Father Of His
Country Saw More Than
a Century Ago
published by request.)

. 9
The last time saw Anthony Sherman
was on the 4th of July, lS49, in Inde-
pendence Square. He was then ninety
one years old and becoming very feeble;
but though so old, his dimming eyes re-
kindled as he looked at Independence
Hall, which he said he had come to
gaze upon once more before he was
gathered home.
what time is it?" said he, raising
his trembling eyes to the clock in the
steeple and endeavoring to shade the
former with a trembling hand What
time is it? | can't see so well as ] used
to.
"Half past three. Come, then," he
continued, ''let us go into the hall.
want to tell you an incident in Washing
tons life, one which no one alive knows
of except myself, and if you live, you
will, beforelong, see it verified. Mark
me, am not approximations, but you
will see it verified"
Reaching the visitors room, in which
the sacred relics of our country are
preserved, we sat down upon one OF
the old-fashioned wooden benches, and
my venerable friend related to me the
following narrative, which, from the
peculiarly of our national affairs at
the present time, / have been induced
to give to the world. / give it as
nearly as possible in his own words:
when the bold action Of our congress,
in asserting the independence Of our
colonies became known in the world,
we were laughed at, and scoffed at, as
silly, presumptious rebels, whom the
British granadier would tame into sub
mission; but, undaunted, we prepared
to make good what we said. The keen
encounter came and the world knows
the result. 1t is easy and pleasant for
those OF the present generation to talk
and write OF. the days of rs, but they
little know, neither can they imagine,
the trials and sufferings of those fear
full days.
"And there is one thing | much fear,
and that is, that the American people
do not appreciate the boon of freedom.
Party spirit is becoming stronger and
unless it is checked, will, at no distant
day, undermine and tumble into ruin
the noble spirit of the republic. But
let me hasten to my narrative.
From the opening of the revolution
we experienced all phases of fortune
now good, now i'll; at one time victorious,
at another, conquered. The darkest
period we had, however, was, / think,
at Valley Forge, where he resolved to
pass the winter of '76. Alb, have
often seen the tears coursing down our
dear commanders care-worn cheek, as
ho he,
tial officer about the condition of his
poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard
the story of Washington going to the
thicket to pray. Well, it is not only
true, but he used often to pray in
secret for aid and comfort from God,
the interposition of whose divine provi-
dence brought US safely through those
dark days of tribulation.
Zone day. remember well = the
chilly wind whistled and howled through
the leafless trees, though the sky was
cloudless and the sun shining brightly,
he remained in his quarters nearly the
whole afternoon alone. When he came
out, noticed that his face was shade
paler than usual, and that there seemed
to be something on his mind of more
than ordinary Importance. Returning
just before dark he dispatched an order
to the quarters of the officer / mem
toned, who was presently in attendance.
After preliminary conversation which |
lasted some half an hour, Washington,
gazing upon his companion with a |
strange look of dignity, which he alone
could command, said to the latter: |
do not know whether it is owing to the I
anxiety of my mind or what, but this |
afternoon l was sitting at this very /
table, engaged in preparing dispatch,
something in the apartment seemed to
disturb me. Looking up, / beheld
standing exactly opposite me, singu-
larly beautiful figure. So astonished |
was |, for had gwen strict orders not
to be disturbed, that it was some mo-
ments before found language to en-
1uire the cause of her presence. A
second, third and fourth time did re-
peat the question, but received no an
,wer from my mysterious visitor. /
began to feel as one dying, or to ex-
oerience the sensation which / have
imagined accompanied dis
did not think, reason, or
move; all were alike impossible. / was
'nly conscious OF gazing fixedly, vacant
y, at my companion. Presently heard
! voice saying: Son of the Republic,
ook and learn, while at the same time
ny visitor extended her arm and fore
niger eastwardly. / now beheld
leavy white vapor at some distance
Using fold upon fold. This gradually
disappeared and / looked upon a strange
Gene. Before me stretched out in one
'ast plane all the world Europe, Asia,
africa and America; saw rolling and
ossing between Europe and America
he pillows Of the Atlantic, and be-