The Irish standard., 1912-12-28
GEO. WASHINGTON
Last Years Of Life Of a Great and
Good Man.

Good Man.
1t was only month after the evac-
uation Of the last OF the British enc
my from New York under the di-
recting orders of the gallant Irish
American patriot, Major General
Knox, Washington's friend and COM
panion in all his battles, when tho
great Commander-in-Ch Chief resigned
his commission as leader of the coun-
try's defenders and retired to private
life. lie had rejected the offer of a
| kingly crown with a majesty of M
selfish devotion to the cause oil free
dom to which history has furnished
no parallel
When, week after the evacua-
ton, he met the officers Of the army
to bid them farewell, his tenderness
and depth of feeling were most affect
ing When his old companion, Gen.
Knox. who stood nearest to him,
came to grasp his hand, the Com
mander-in-Chief drew him to his
heart and kissed. while the tears
flowed down the cheeks Of each
When the other officers followed the
affectionate embrace was removed,
while their emotions were too deep
for utterance.
Washington proceeded from New
York to Annapolis, where Congress-
was in session. in order to surrender
his commission az COMMANDMENT.
Chief. He arrived with his wife on
the 18th, and informed Congress of
his determination. 1t was decided by
that body that it should be doue
at public audience, and the 23rd
was fixed for that purpose. A great
concourse was assembled when Wash
ington entered the Senate Chamber,
leaning on the arm of the venerable
lrishman, Charles Thomson, Secre-
tary of the Congress. who led him
to chair. The president, Gen. Milf
fin, informed him that "the United
States, in Congress assembled, We're
prepared to receive his communica-
tions.''
| The Chief arose and addressed the
body in brief but most feeling adj
dress, full of tenderness, patriotism,
and religious sentiment. In closing
he said: II consider it as an indis.
pensable duty to close this last act
of my official life by commencing
the interests of our dearest country
to the protection of Almighty God,
and those who have the superintend.
ence of them to His holy keeping.
Having now finished the work assign.
ed me, I retire from the great theater
of action. and, bidding an affection.
ate farewell to this august body, un.
der whose orders I have so long act.
ed. I here offer my commission. and
take my leave of all the employments
of public life"
The reply Of the presiding officer
was marked by deepest feeling, and
the whole scene was most affecting
No person present on that occasion
perhaps, thought of what the future
was to bring forth: that the beloved
Commander would be soon called up
on to lead the Nation in peace as he
had laid it's foundations and defended
it in war. When the ceremony was
concluded Washington and his lady
set out for his home in Mount Yer
non and, like Cincinnatus, returned
to the cares of his estate.
All the way his journey was a ,tri
umphal march. greeted by the wild
est demonstrations of affection and
veneration on the part of the people
The disinterestedness of his motives
and the purity OF his patriotism, as
evidenced by his conduct at this
time, created profound feeling all
over the world. s.
Even the great English Minister
Ear! Russell, could not refrain from
paying his tribute of admiration tc
the grandeur OF Washington's char
acter. In his Life and Times oil
Charles James Fox" he says:
J George Washington, without the