The labor world., 1913-08-09
Words Of Appeal.

I 1eel now mucn l SnaN Scano IN
heed Of the countenance and aid OF
every friend to myself. of every
friend to the Revolution, and Of every
lover of good government" were
'Washington's words Of appeal to Ed.
ward Rutledge, of South Carolina:
and he never seemed to his friends
more attractive or more noble than
now.
Turns to New Duties.
The Inauguration over, the streeta
fallen quiet again, the legislative
business Of the houses resumed, Wash
sngton regained his old seh.possession,
and turned to master his new duties
with, q calm thoroushness Of purpose
which seemed at once to pass into the
action of the government. itself.
Perhaps it was true, as he thought,
that he had been no statesman hith.
erto: though those who had known
him, would have declared themselves
of another mind. He had carried the
affairs of the Confederation upon his
own shoulders, while the war lasted,
after, fashion the men of that time
we're not likely to forget, 50 full OF
energy had he been, so proyident and
capable upon every point OF policy.
His letters, too, since tho war ended,
had shown his correspondents the
country over such an appreciation Of
the present, SO sure forecast Of tho
future, SO masculine an understanding
OF what waited to be done and Of the
means at hand to do it, that they, at
least, accounted him their leader in
peace no less than in war.
But Craftsmanship hitherto had been
only incidental to his duties as q sol.
d1er and a citizen. It had been only
an accident of the Revolution that he
had had himself. oftentimes, to supply
the foresight and the capacity in 40.
ton which the hating congress
iacked.: He had had no experience at
all in actual civil administration. He
d1d~not know his own abilities, or real
tze how rich his experience in affairs
had, In fact, been. He went about his
new tasks with dif1dence, therefore,
but with the full-pulsed heartiness, too.
OF the. man who thoroughly trusts him
self, Tor the capacity at any rate Of
taking pains. Craftsmanship was now
his duty-his whole duty-and it was
his purpose to understand and execute
the Office Of president as he had under
stood and administered the Office Of
general,
! NAAr' %oe. F3>,,%ln.
He knew what need there was for
caution This was to be, in the nrst
instance; in a considerable degree, a
government of accommodation as well
asa government Of laws. Much, was
to be done by prudence, much by con-
Citation, much by flrmness." II walk"
he said, ION untrodden ground. There
is scarcely an action the motive of
which may not be subjected to q
doubles esinterpretation. There is scarce
ly any part Of my conduct which may
not hereafter be drawn into precs-
dent"
But, though he sought a prudent
course, he bad no mind to be timid;
though he asked advice, he meant to
be his own master.
Washington had, no doubt. a more
precise understanding of what the new
government must be made to mean
than any other man living. except.
perhaps, Hamilton and Madison, the
men whom he most consulted. The
Confederation had died in contempt.
desplsed for its want of dignity and
power. The new government must
deserve and get pre-eminent standing
from the first. It's policy must make
the states a nation, must stir the
people out Of their pettiness as, col.
on1sts and provincials, and give them
a national character and spirit. It
was not a government only that was
to be created, but the definite BODY
OF opinion also which should sustain
and perfect it. It must be made worth
believing in, and the best spirits Of
the country must be rallied to it's sup
port.
It was not the question simply of
how strong the government should be,
Its action must, as Washington said.
be mixed Of firmness. prudence and
couciliation, If it would win liking
andFloyalty as well as respect. It must
cultivate tact as well as eschew weak.
ness:' must win as we'll as compel
obedience. :.
|. -. Gives Dignity to Office.
It, 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 a
thoroughbred gentleman, whose in
stinets would carry him a great way
toward the solution of many q 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
show thems:dpon how cordial and nat
.ural g basis Of personal acquaintance
he wished; for his part to sec the
government conducted; but. the oath
I OF office once taken he woa M 1nroov