The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-08-05

gress were not ended before Virginia
was committed beyond all possibility c,f
drawing back.
The LIST OF June saw her last house
of burgesses convene; for by the Sth
OF the month Dunmore was a fugi-
tive-had seen the anger of a Will
namsburg mob blaze hot against him,
and had taken refuge in a vancouver
lying up the river.
The province was ready for revol,i-
ton, and Washington was ready to go
with it.
1t meant more than Washington
thought that he had come to Phila-
delphia habited like a soldier.
It had not been his purpose to draw
all eyes upon him; it was merely his
instructive expression of his own per-
sonal feeling with regard to the crisis
that had come. But it was in its way
a fulfilment OF prophecy.
When the first Virginian convention
chose delegates to attend the con-
gress of 1774, some of the tickets On
the ballot assigned reasons for the
choice expressed in them. Randolph
should preside in congress; Lee and
Henry should display the different
kinds of eloquence for which they
were renowned; Washington should
command the army, If an army should
be raised; Bland should open the
treasures of ancient colonial learning;
Harrison should utter plain truths;
and Pendleton should be the penmsn
for business"
Self Poise Of the VirginianS-
No wonder the gentlemen from Vir-
ginia, coming with such confidence to
the congress, made the instant i'm
preston they did for mastery and
self-poise!
There are some fine fellows come
from Virginia" Joseph Reed had re-
ported, "but they are very high. We
understand they are the capital men
of the colony"
Washington alone awaited his cue.
Now he was to get it. without expect
ing it.
a Struggling Army.
The irregular army swarming be-
fore Boston was without standing or
government. It had run hastily to-
gether out of four colonies: was sub
iect to no common authority; hardly
know what allegiance it bore; might
fall to pieces unless it were adequate.
ly commanded.
The congress In Philadelphia was
called upon to recognize and adopt 1t.
give it leave and authority to act for
all the colonies. give it commander,
and summon the whole country to re-
cruit 1t.
A Leader Outside New England.
There was an obvious political ne
cessity that the thing should be done.
and done promptly Massachusetts
did not wish to stand alone; New Eng
land wanted the active assistance of
the other colonies; something must be
attempted to secure common action.
The first thing to do was to choose
an acceptable and efficient leader. and
to choose him outside New England.
To John Adams the choice seemed
simple enough. There was no soldier
in America, outside New England-nor
inside either-to be compared, wheth-
or in experience or distinction. with
Washington, the gallant, straightfor
ward, earnest Virginian he had learn
cd so to esteem and trust there in
Philadelphia.
John Adams Names Washington.
He accordingly moved that congress
10 H. OF 70 NH
declared that he bad "but one gentle
man in mind" for it's commands
gentleman from Virginia, who was
among u.s. he said. "and very wei
known to all of US; gentleman
whose skill and experience as an Off
Ger. whose independent fortune, great
| talents, and excellent universal char
acter. would command the approba
ton of all America, and unite the cor
dial exertions of all the colonies bet
ter than any other person in the
union"
Washington, taken unawares, ros,
and slipped in confusion from thu
room.
Washington the Unanimous Choice.
Some of his own friends doubted
the expediency of putting VirgiriiaI
at the head of New England army
but the more clear-sighted among tn,
New Englanders did not. and the Sc
lection was made, after little hes,its
ton. unanimously.
Washington accepted his commits
sion with that mixture of 1nodesty an,
pride that made men love and homo
him. 'eYou may believe me. my dea
Patsy" were his simple words to hi
wife when assure you in the mos
solemn manner, that, so far from seek
ing this appointment, have used ey
cry endeavor In my power to avoi
it. not only from my unwillingness t
part with you and the family, bu
from consciousness Of its being
trust too great for my capacity
: But as it has been kind of destin
that has thrown me upon this servic,
shall hope that my undertaking
is designed to answer some good pul
pose. It was utterly out {
q