The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-09-23
(CONTINUED.)
Shadow Powers Of conoress.

maintained, despite desperate incom-
petence on the part Of the congress
aud o hopeless indifference among the
people; and a government to be kept
presentably afoot, despite lack % mon
ey and lack of men.
The articles Of confederation pro-
posed at the heart of the wartime
November Is, 1777 had at last
been adopted March 1, 17SD. In
season to create at least a govern
ment which could sign. treaties and
conclude wars. but neither soon
enough nor wisely enough to bring or
der out of chaos. The states, glad to
think the war over. would do nothing
for the army, nothing for the public
credit, nothing even for the mainten-
ance of order; and the articles OF
confederation only gave the congress
written warranty for Offering advice;
they did not make its shadowy power
real.
Washington Keeps His Command.
II was beyond measure fortunate
that at such a critical time as this
Washington still kept his command,
still held affairs under the steady pres g.
sure of his will.
His successes had at last given him
a place of authority in the thoughts
and affections of his countrymen In
some sort commensurate with his ca
pacity and his vision IN affairs. He
had risen to a very safe footing OF
lower among all the people as the
war drew towards its close, filling
their imaginations, and reigning
among them as securely as among HE
troops. who for 50 long had felt his
will wrought upon them day by day
His very reserve, and the large dig
nifty and pride of his steady bearing
made him seem the more like hero
In the peoples eyes. They could I'm
derstand q man made In this ample
and simple kind. give them but time
enough to see him in his full proper
tons. II answered to their thought
of him to find him too proud to dis
semble, too masterful to brook unrea
sonable faults, and yet slow to grow
impatient, though he must walt
whole twelve-month to see plan ma
tire. or coax half-score states to
get q purpose made good. And they
could not deem him cold. though they
found him self-possessed. keeping HE
own counsel; for was not the country
full of talk how passionately he was
like to act at a moment OF crisis and
in the field?
A Fearless Leader.
They only feared to lose q leader
40 reckless Of himself when danger
was sharpest Our army love their
general very much" one Of his officers
had said, but they have one thing
against him. which is the little care
he takes of himself In any action;
for he had seen how Washington
pressed at Trenton and at Princeton to
the points that were most exposed.
thinking of his troops, not OF him
self
NO Power to Raise Money.
Washington would have assumed
the offensive again, would have crush
ed Clinton where he lay In New York;
and the congress was not slack-as
slackness was counted therein sus-
tanning his counsels. But the con-
gress had no power to raise money,
had no power to command
The states alone could make II pos
sible to tax the country to pay tn
army; their thirteen governments
were the only civil authority, and they
took the needs and the discontents
OF the army very lightly. deemed peace
secure and war expenses unnecessary,
and let matters drift as they would.
They came very near drifting to an
other Tevolution-a revolution such as
politicians had left out of their reck-
oning. and only Washington could
avert.
Washington Helps Congress.
After Yorktown, Washington spent
four months in Philadelphia, helping
the congress forward with the Dusi
ness Of the winter, but as March OF
the new year Q7S2) drew towards Its
close, he rejoinef the army at New
burgh. 10 resume his watch upon New
York
He had been scarcely two months al
ms post Hucu icttof "oS PaoSoo ~
his hands which revealed. more FULLY
than any observations OF his own
could have revealed It. the pass to
which affairs had come.
An unWelcome Letter.
The letter was from Colonel Lewis
Nicola. an old and respected orlcer.
who stood nearer than did most Of his
fellow officers to the commanderin'
chief In intimacy and affection. and
who felt Il his privilege to speak plain
ly. The letter was calm In temper,
grave and moderate In tone. with
something OF the gravity and method
OF a disquisition written upon abstract
questions Of government; did not
breach its meaning like q revolution
airy document. But what II proposed
was nothing less. when read between
the lines, than that Washington should
suffer himself to be made king. and
that 80 an end should be put to the
incompetency and ingratitude Of a
band OF weak and futile republics.
An Overwhelming Rsbvks.
Washington met the suggestion with