The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-12-16
(CONTINUED.)

We cannot, sir, do without you"
cried Governor johnson Of Maryland,
"and I and thousands more can ex-
plain to anybody but yourself why we
cannot do without you"
To make any one else president. II
seemed to men everywhere, would be
like browning a subject while the king
was by.
Washington Holds Back.
But Washington held back. as he
had held back from attending the con-
stitutional convention. He doubted his
civil capacity, called himself an old
man, said ut would be to forego re-
pose and domestic enjoyment for
trouble, perhaps for public obloQuy."
THE acceptance" he declared,
would be attended with more diff
dence and reluctance than ever ex-
perienced before in my life"
But he was not permitted to de-
cline. Hamilton told him that his at
tendance upon the constitutional con-
vention must be taken to have pledged
him In the view of the country to
take part also In the formation Of the
government. I'm a matter so essen
tial to the well-being of society as
the prosperity Of newly instituted
government" said the, great advocate.
"a citizen of so much consequence as
yourself to its success has no option
but to lend his services. II called for.
Permit me to say 1t would be inglori-
GUS, In such a situation. not to hazard
the glory, however great, which he
might have previor sly acquired"
Yields to Popular viii.
Washington, of course. yielded. like
the supplemented gentleman and sol
matter Of duty.
When the votes of the electors were
opened in the new congress, and 1t
was found that they were one and all
for him, he no longer doubted. He did
not know how to decline such a call.
and turned with all his old courage to
the new task.
The members Of the new congress
were so laggard in coming together
that it was the 9Th of April. 1873, be-
fore both houses could count a
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
of the electors had lain under seal till
the rev congress met and found
quorum; but II was an open secret
who had been chosen president. and
Washington had made up his mind
what to do.
Bids His Mother Farewell.
Mr.. Thomson reached Mount Yer
non Ou lut lfln, anu lOuhu -"
ton ready to obey his summons at
once.
He waited only for a hasty ride to
Fredericksburg to bid his aged mother
farewell.
She was not tender In the parting.
Her last days had come. and she had
set herself to bear with grim resolu-
ton the fatal disease that had long
been upon her. She had never been
tender, and these latter days had add
ed their touch of hardness.
But 1t was a tonic to her son to
take her farewell. none the less to
hear her once more bid him God
speed and once more command him.
as she did, to his duty.
On the morning OF April IS Wash.
ington took the northern road as 80
often before, and pressed forward On
che way for New York.
The setting out was made witts' a
very heavy heart; for duty had never
seemed to him so unattractive as II
seemed now, and his difference had
Fever been so distressing.
For myself the delay may be com
pared to a reprieve." he had written to
Knox. when he learned how slow con.
gress was In coming together. "for In
confidence ] tell you that my move
ments TO the chair OF government will
be accompanied by feeling not unlike
those of a culprit who is going to the
place OF execution"
Departs with Heavy Heart.
When the day for his departure
came. his diary spoke the same heavi-
ness of heart About ten o'clock"
he wrote, 81 babe sdieu to Mount Yer
non. to private life. and to domestic
felicity; and with a mind oppressed
with more anxious and painful sensa-
lions than have words to express. set
out for New York"
He did not doubt that he was doing
right: he doubted his capacity In civil
AFFAIRS. and loved the sweet retirement
and the free life he was leaving be-
hind him.
Grief and foreboding did not In the
least relax his proud energy and
nromnt ness I'm action He WAS not n