The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-07-04

the American rebels all the way across
the Atlantic ocean, by catching that
terrible contagion-domestic felicity
which, like the smallpox, or the
plague, a man can have only once in
his life, because it commonly lasts him
lat least with us in America-I don't
know how you manage such matters
in France) for his whole lifetime"
Ten months of deep but quiet agi-
tation-the forces of opinion in close
grapple-and the future seemed to
clear.
The constitution was adopted, only
two states dissenting.
II had been a tense and stubborn
fight; In such states as Massachusetts
and New York, the concerted action
of men at the centers of trade against
the instructive dread of Capitalization
or change in the regions that lay back
from the rivers and the sea- in states
like Virginia, where the mass of men
waited to be led the leaders who had
vision against those who had only the
slow wisdom of caution and PRESENT.
ment.
Virginia MAINTAINED the Initiative.
But, though she acted late in the
business, and some Housekeeping
spirits among even her greater men
held back, Virginia did not lose the
place of initiative she had had in all
this weighty business of reform.
Something in her air or her life had
given her in these latter years an ex-
traordinary breed of public men-men
liberated from local prejudice, pos
sessed of a vision and an efficacy in
affairs worthy of the best traditions
of craftsmanship among the English
race from which they were sprung,
capable of taking the long view, of
seeing the permanent lines of leader
ship upon s:eat qUt stions, and shap-
ing ordina~y views to meet extraor-
binary ends.
Even Henry and Mason could take
their discontinue gracefully, loyalty,
like men bred to free institutions; and
Washington had the deep satisfaction
10 see his state come without hesita-
lion to his view and hope.
Country Demands Washington.
The new constitution made sure Of,
and a time set by congress for the
elections and the organization Of
new government under it, the coun-
try turned as one man to Washington
10 be the first president of the United
States.
I'VE cannot, sir, do without YOU"
cried Governor Johnson Of Maryland,
"and l and thousands more can ex-
plain to anybody but Yourself why we
cannot do without you"
To make any one else president, 1t
seemed to men everywhere, would ts
like GROWING a subject while the king
was by.
Washington Holds Back.
But Washington held back, as he
had held back from attending the con-
convention. He doubted his
civil capacity, called himself an old
nan, said at would be to forego re-
pose and domestic enjoyment for
:rouble, perhaps for public obioquy.
"The acceptance" he declared
would be attended with more diff
ience and reluctance than l ever ex-
oerienced before in my life
But he was not permitted to de-
cline. Hamilton told him that his at
enhance upon the constitutional con-
1ention must be taken to have pledged
lin in the view of the country to
AXE part also in the formation OF the
''In a matter so essen"
ial to the well-being of society as
he prosperity of newly instituted
said the great advocate,
a citizen of so much consequence as
yourself to it's success has no option
out to lend his services, If called Tor.
Permit me to say it would be inglor1-
JUS, in such situation. not to hazard
he glory, however great, which he
might have previously acquired"
Yields to Popular viii.
Washington. of course yielded, ike
he simple minded gentleman and sol
lier he was. when it was made thus
matter of duty.
When the votes of the electors were
opened in the new congress, and II
was found that they were one and all
for him, he no longer doubted. He did
not know how to decline such CALL
and turned with all his old courage to
the new task.
The members of the new congress
we're so laggard in coming together
that it was the 9Th of April, 1889, be-
fore both houses could count
quorum. though the 4th of March had
been appointed the day for their con-
vening.
Washington Notified.
Their first business was the opening
and counting of the electoral votes;
and on the 7th Charles Thomson, the
faithful and sedulous gentleman who
had been clerk of every congress
since the first one in the old colonial
days fifteen years ago, got away on
his long ride to Mount Vernon to no
tify Washington of his election.
Affairs waited upon the issue OF his
errand. Washington had for long
known what was coming, and was
ready and resolute, as of old.
There had been no formal nomina-
lions for the presidency, and the votes