The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-07-11

! Something in her air or her life had
given her in these latter years an ex
traordinary breed of public men-men
sessed of 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 great questions, and shap-
ing ordinary 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
to see his state come without hesita-
ton 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 a
new government under it. the coun-
try turned as one man to Washington
to be the first president of the United
States
I'VE cannot, sir, do without you"
cried Governor Johnson of Maryland,
land l and thousands more can ex-
plain to anybody but yourself why we
cannot do without you
To make any one else president it
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 "it would be to forego re-
pose and domestic enjoyment for
trouble, perhaps for public obloquy."
THE acceptance" he declared,
dence and reluctance than l 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
LlIllt Ill lAC Wow vi IAC NOOhbAy ~
take part also in the formation of the
government. "In matter so essen
tial to the well-being of society as
the prosperity of a newly instituted
government" said the great advocate,
"a citizen of so much consequence as
yourself to it's success has no option
but to lend his services. If called for.
Permit me to say it would be inglori
Gus, in such a situation, not to hazard
the glory, however great, which he
might have previously acquired" 4
Yields to Popular Will.
Washington, of course, yielded, like
the simple-minded gentleman and sol
der he was, when 1t was made thus
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, 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.
tons for the presidency, and the votes
of the electors had lain under seal till
the new congress met and found a
quorum; but it 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 on the 14th. and found Washing.
ton ready to obey his summons at
once.
He waited only for 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 it was 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 16 Wash.
;rpfon took the n0rfhern road 40 or