The Ordway new era., 1913-11-28
InstaIIment 26


Affairs fell very quiet again as the
last year of his presidency drew to-
wards its close. Brisk trade under
the new treaties heartened the coun.
try more and more. the turbulent
Democratic clubs that had so noisily
Affected French principles and French
modes of agitation were sobered and
discredited. now the Reign OF Terror
had come and wrought its bloody work
In France: the country turned once
more to Washington with its old con
hdence and affection. and would have
had him take the presidency a third
time. to keep the government steady
In Its new ways.
His Farewell Address.
But he would not have the hard Of
fice again. On the 18th of September.
1876, he published to the people a
farewell address. quick with the sol
emn eloquence men had come to ex-
pect from him. He wrote to Hamilton
aud to Madison for advice as to what
he should say. as In the old days OF
his diffident beginnings in the great
ofice-though Hamilton was the arch
Federalist and Madison was turning
Democrat-took their phrases for his
thought where they seemed better
than his own; put the address forth
as his mature and last counsel to the
little nation he loved.
TT was designed" he said, "in
more especial manner for the yeoman-
~ Of the country" and spoke the ad-
vice he hoped they might take to
heart. The circumstances which had
given his services a temporary value.
he told them, were passed; they had
now a unified and national govern
ment. which might serve them for
great ends. He exhorted them to pre-
serve 1t intact. and not to degrade 1t
In the using; to put down party spirit.
make religion. education and good
faith the guides and safeguards Of
their government. and keep 1t nation
/ sl and their own by excluding foreign
Influences and entanglements. Twas
. noble document. No thoughtful man
could read 1t without emotion, know
Ing how It spoke In all its solemn sen-
teuces the great character Of the man
whose career was ended.
People Show Their Love.
should resign his office to John Ad-
AIMS. the great civilian who. was to
succeed him, there Was scene which
left no one In doubt-not even Wash
lngton himself-what the people
thought of the leader they had trust
I'd these twenty years.
A great crowd was assembled to see
the simple ceremonies of the inaugu-
ration. as on that April day in New
York eight years ago; but very few
In the throng watched Adams. All
eyes were bent upon that great figure
In black velvet. with light sword
slung at his side. No one stirred till
he had left the room. to follow and
pay his respects to the new president.
Then they and all the crowd in the
streets moved after him, an immense
company. going as one man. "in total
silence" his escort all the way. He
turned upon the threshold Of the pres.
Ident's lodgings and looked, as II for
the last time. upon this multitude of
nameless friends. mo man ever saw
him SO moved" The tears rolled un-
checked down his cheeks, and when
at last he went within, a great smoth
cred common voice went through the
stirred throng, as II they sobbed to
see their hero go~fron their sight for
ever.
AS soon as possible he was at his
beloved Mount Vernon once more. to
pick up such threads as he might of
the old life again.
Il begin my diurnal course with the
I,o tv, .1p,y ftYIt
to friend; IF my hirelings are. not
in their places by that time. l send
them messages of sorrow for their in
disposition; having put these wheels
In motion l examine the state OF
things farther: the more they. are
probed the deeper l find the wounds
which my buildings have sustained by
an absence and neglect of eight years;
by the time have accomplished
these matters breakfast "a little after
seven o'clock, about the time, ! pre-
sumo, that you are taking leave OF
Mrs. McHenry) is ready; this being
over, l mount my horse and ride
round my farms, which employs mo
until it is time to dress for dinner.
The usual time Of sitting at
the table, a walk. and tea bring me
within the dawn of candlelight; previ-
Gus to which, il not prevented by COM
pany, l resolve that as soon as the
glimmer'ng taper supplies the place
of the great luminary l will retire to
my wrjting-table and acknowledge the
letters / have received; when the
lights are brought feel tired and
disinclined to engage in this work.
conceiving that the next night will do
as well. The next night comes. and
with it the same causes for postpone
ment, and SO on. Having given you
the history Of a day. 1t will serve for
a year. and l am persuaded that you
will not require a second edition Of 1t"
He had kept his overseers under his