The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-12-23
0.lss2. 81 ne .fecL1ssE n.r.s0elaER JNnacAn

how strong the government should be.
It's action must, as Washington said,
be mixed of firmness, prudence and
Cancellation, if it would win liking
and loyalty as we'll as respect. It must
cultivate tact as well as eschew weak
ness; must win as well as compel
obedience.
Gives Dignity to Office.
1t was of the first consequence to
the country, therefore that the man
it had chosen to preside in this deli
cate business of establishing a gov
eminent which, should be vigorous
without being overbearing was
thoroughbred gentleman, whose in
stincts would carry him a great way
toward the solution of many a nice
question of conduct.
While he waited to be made presi-
dent he called upon every senator and
representative then in attendance
upon congress, with the purpose to
sho them upon how cordial and nat
ural a basis of personal acquaintance
he wished, for his part, to see the
government conducted; but, the oath
of office once taken, he was no longer
a simple citizen, as he had been dur
ing those two days of waiting; the
dignity of the government had come
into his keeping with the Office. Hence
forth he would pay no more calls, ac-
cept no invitations.
On a day fixed he would receive
calls; and he would show himself once
week at Mrs. Washington's general
receptions He would invite persons
of official rank or marked distinction
to his table at suitable intervals.
There should be no pretensesof seclu-
sion, no parade of inaccessibility The
president should be a republican Off
Ger, the servant of the people. But he
would not be common. It should be
known that his Office and authority
were the first in the land
Every proper outward form of dig
nifty, ceremony and self-respect should
be observed that might tell whole
somely upon the Imagination of the
people; that might be made to serve
as a visible sign, which no man could
miss. that there was here no vestige
of the old federal authority, at which
it had been the fashion to laugh, but
a real government, and that the great
| est in the land.
| Prestige for Government. ~.
Some thought him stiff, but only the
churlish could deem him unrepublican
so evident was it to every candid man
that it was not himself but his office
he was exalting. His old passion for
success was upon him, and he meant
that this government of which he had
been made the head should have pres
tige from the first.
Count de Moustier, the French min
! lister to the United States, deeming
! America, no doubt, protege Of
| France, claimed the right to deal di-
rectly with the president in person,
as if upon terms of familiar privilege,
when conducting his diplomatic busi-
ness; but was. checked very promptly.
It was not likely man bred in the
proud school of Virginiah country gen
tlemen would miss so obvious point
! of etiquette as this. To demand init
macy was to intimate superiority, and
Washingtop's reply drew from the
count an instant apology.
That the United States had every
reason to hold France in loyal affec
ton Washington gladly admitted will
all stately courtesy; but Affections be
came seryility when it lost self
respect, and France must approach
! tho nrncidnnf Of fho TInifa6 c
every other country did, through the
properly constituted department. I'll
there are rules of proceeding he said
quietly, which have originated from
the wisdom of statesmen, and are
sanctioned by the common assent OF
nations, it would not be prudent for &
young state to dispense with them al
together particularly young state
CHS thought added which foreign
states had despised and might nov
try to patronize.
These small matters would carry
an infinite weight of suggestion witt
them, as he knew, and every sugges
ton that proceeded from the president
should speak of dignity and indepen
dence.
Stricken With Illness.
He had been scarcely six weeks IL
Office when he was stricken with !;
sharp illness. A malignant tumor il
his thigh seemed to his physicians TO
a time to threaten modification.
was three weeks before he could TAX
the air again, stretched painfully a
length in bis coach; even his stalwar
strength was slow to rally from tn
draft made upon it by the disease, an
its cure with the knife,
There was deep anxiety for littl
; among those who knew, 30 likely di'
it seem that the life of the govern
ment was staked upon his life H
(, himself had looked very calmly int
the doctors troubled face. and ha
hidden him tell him the worst wit
that placid firmness that always cam
to him in moments of danger.
II am not afraid to die" ne sait
Whether tonight or twenty year
! hence makes no difference / kno,
that / am in the hands of a good Pro,
idence."