The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-09-23

wondered how he had ever dared make
such a venture.
BE assured, sir" said the indignant
commander, no occurrence In the
course of the war has given me more
painful sensations than your informa-
ton Of their being such ideas existing
in the army. =. am much at a
loss to conceive what part Of my con-
duct could have given encouragement
to an address which to me seems big
with the greatest mischiefs that can
befall my country. II / am not de-
cieved in the knowledge Of myself.
you could not have found a person to
whom your schemes are more disa-
greeable. Let me coniure you,
II you have 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."
Cut TO the Quick.
He was cut to the quick that his
own officers should deem him an ad-
venturer, willing to advance his own
power at the expense of the very
principles he had fought for.
His thought must have gone back
at a bound to his old comradeship
with brother Lawrence, with the Fair
faxes, George Mason, and the Lees,
and all that free company of gentle
men in the Northern Neck who re-
vered law, loved liberty, and hated a
usurper.
But he could not blink the Just COM
plants and real grievances of the
army; nor did he wish to.
Though others were angry after a
manner he scorned, no mans grief or
indignation was deeper than his that
the army should be left penniless aft
er all it had suffered and done, and be
threatened, besides. with being turned
adrift without reward or hope Of pro
vision for the future.
Promises Justice 70 the Army.
mo man possesses a more sincere
wish to see ample justice done TO the
army than I do" he had declared to
| Colonel Nicola; land as far as my
power and influence. in a constitu-
tional way. extend, they shall be en-
ployed to the utmost of my abilities to
| effect it,
! The pledge was fulfilled in almost
every letter he wrote, private or pub
lie He urged the states. as he urged
the congress. In season and out Of sea-
son, to see Justice done the men who
had won the Revolution, and whom he
loved as II they had been Of his own
blood.
His Counsel Disreearded.
But even his great voice went too
long unheeded. The spirit Of party.
private interest. slowness. and ma
tional Incidence slacken. suspend,
and overthrow the best concerted
measures" the Able Robin had OBJ
served. upon his first coming with
Rochambeau: and now measures we're
not SO much as concerted until a final
menace from the army brought the
country to its senses.
A troubled summer came and went.
and another winter Of anxious doubt
and Intellectual counsel.
The very approach of peace, as II
grew more certain, quickened the
! angry fears OF the army, lest peace
should be made a pretext, when II
came. to dispense them before their
demands could be driven home upon
the demoralized and reluctant govern
ment they were learning to despise.
Another spring aud the mischief 80
long maturing was ripe; It looked $
II even Washington could not prevent
1t.
A Menace From the Army.
It had been rumored in Philadel.
phia, while the winter held, that the
army had secretly determined not to
hay down their arms until due pro
vision and a satisfactory prospect
should be afforded on the subject OF
their pay" and that Washington had
grown unpopular among almost all
ranks because CT his harshness
against every unlawful means of Sc
curing justice.
His extreme reserve. mixed some
times with a degree Of asperity OF
temper, both of which were said to
have increased of late. had contribute
ed to the decline OF his popularity
SO ran the report-and II grew every
week the more unlikely he could
check the reasonable purposes OF his
men.
springlng the Mine.
In March. 1888. the mine war
sprung: and then men learned, by q
new sign, what power there was In
the silent man; how he could handle
disaffection and disarm reproacb.
An open address was spread broad
east through the camp. calling upol
the army to use its power to obtail
its rights. and inviting meeting o
the officers to devise a way.
Can you consent to be the oni'
sufferers by this revolution
III you can. 20, carry VIII
you the ridicule. and. what is worse
the pity OF the world Go. starve' an
be forgotten. But II you hav
sense enough to discover, and spiri
enough to oppose, tyranny E
awake; attend to your situation. an