The Ordway new era., 1913-11-14

blunder and fail. The compulsion OF
his will grew often a little irksome to
the minority In congress; and the op-
position slowly pulled itself together
as the months went by to concert .
definite policy Of action.
Washington saw as plainly as any
man what was taking place. He was
sensitive to the movements Of opin-
ion; wished above all things to have
the government supported by the peo-
Pies approval: was never weary Of
writing to those who were in posi-
tion to know. to ask them what they
and their neighbors soberly thought
about the questions and policies under
debate; was never 30 impatient as to
run recklessly ahead of manifest pub
lie opinion.
He knew how many men had been
repelled by the measures he had sup
ported Hamilton in proposing; knew
that reaction had set In; that even
to seem to repulse France and to re-
fuse her aid or sympathy would sure
ly strengthen It. The men who were
opposed to his financial policy were
also the men who most loved France.
now she was mad with revolution
They were the men who dreaded a
strong government as a direct menace
to the rights alike Of individuals and
of the separate states; the men who
held a very imperative philosophy Of
separation and OF revolt against any
too great authority. II he showed
himself cold towards France. he would
certainly strengthen them in their
charge that the new government
craved power and was Indifferent to
the guarantees Of freedom.
But Washington's spirit was of the
majestic sort that keep a great and
hopeful confidence that the right view
will prevail; that the STANDARD to
which the wise and honest will repair"
is also the standard to which the
whole people will rally at last. II 1t
be but held long and steadily enough
on high to be seen OF all. When the
moment for action came he acted
promptly. unhesitatingly. as II in In
difference to opinion. The outbreak
of war between France and England
made 1t necessary he should let the
country know what he meant to do.
war having actually commenced
between France and Great Britain" he
wrote to Jefferson In April, 1893. 1T
behooves the government of this coun-
try to use every means In its power
to prevent the citizens thereof from
eAnbroiling us with either of those
powers. by endeavoring to maintain
q strict neutrality. therefore require
Hh-N xr,tII extv tho a,,hfart otv,vo
consideration, that such measures as
shall be deemed most likely to effect
this desirable purpose may be adopted
without delay. Such other
measures as may be necessary for US
to pursue against events which It may
not be In our power to avoid or con-
troll. you will also think Of and lay
them before me at my arrival in Phil
adelphia: for which place shall set
out tomorrow"
He was at Mount Vernon when he
did not take him long to reach the seat
of government. to consult his cabinet.
and to issue proclamation of neu-
trality whose terms no man could mis-
take. 1t contained explicit threat OF
exemplary action against any who
should presume to disregard 1t.
Genet Comes From France.
That very month (April, 1899 Ed.
mond Charles Genet. youth still In
his twenties whom the new republic
over sea had commissioned minister
to the United States. landed at
Charleston. 1t pleased him to take
possession Of the country. as II 1t were
Of course an appenage of France. He
was hardly ashore before he had be-
gun to arrange for the fitting out OF
privateers, to issue letters of marque
to American citizens. and to author
ize French consuls at American ports
to act as judges OF admiralty in the
condemnation of prizes.
AS he journeyed northward to Phil
adelphia he was joyfully confirmed in
his views and purposes by his recep-
ton at the hands Of the people. He
was everywhere dined and toasted and
feted. as II he had been favorite
prince returned to his subjects. His
speeches by the way rang in a tone
of authority and patronage. He
reached Philadelphia fairly mad with
the sense Of power. and had no con-
ceptIon Of his real situation till he
stood face to face with the president.
OF that grim coutenance and cold
greeting there could be but one inter.
pretation; and the fellow WINGED to
feel that at last he had come to a
grapple with the country's govern
ment II was. no doubt. in the eyes of
the sOberinR man u strange and start.
ling thing that then took place. The
country itself had not fully known
Washington till then-or its own dig
nifty either. It had deemed the proc.
lamation OF neutrality party meas
ure. into which the president had been
led by the enemies Of France, the par
tisans of England.
But the summer undeceiyed every.