The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-09-09

The planters of the low country dared
not stir for fear of an instruction OF
their slaves.
In June Clinton could take half his
force back to New York. deeming the
work done
Gates Put to Rout.
General Gates completed the disas
trous record On the thirteenth OF
June he was given chief command in
the south, and was told that the coun.
try expected another 'Burgoynade .
His force was above three thousand
and he struck his blow, as he should
at Camden, where CORVALLIS had but
two thousand men, albeit trained and
veteran troops; but the end was total
shameful rout august 16, 1880, and
the men knew at last the incapacity
OF their hero Of Saratoga"
Congress In Helpless State.
Certainly things looked desperate
enough that dark year.
The congress was sinking into a
more and more helpless inefficiency
Definite articles OF confederation had
been submitted to the states nearly
three years ago November, IT'D, but
they had not been adopted yet, and
the states had almost ceased to heed
the acquisitions of the congress at all
Unable to tax, it paid its bills and the
wages Of it's troops in paper. which so
rapidly fell in value that by the time
the hopeless year 1889 was out men
in the ranks found months pay roc
he really was until the war was over
His own officers then found they
had something more to learn of the
man they had fought under for six
years-and those six, all of them,
such as lay bare the characters of
men.
What remained to be done during
the two trying, anxious years, 1852
and 1888, seemed as if intended for a
supreme and final test of the quail
ties Of the man whose genius and
character had made the Revolution
possible. "At the end of a long civil
war;" said the Marquis de Chasteliux,
with a noble pride for his friend, "he
had nothing with which he could re-
proach himself; but it was these last
years which were to crown this per-
feet praise with its full meaning.
In the absence of any real govern
ment, Washington proved almost the
only prop of authority and law. What
the crisis was no one knew quite SO
thoroughly or SO particularly as he.
1t consisted in the ominous fact that
the army was the only organise led and
central power in the country. and that
it had deep reason for discomfort and
INSTRUMENTATION
When once it had served its pur-
post greatly at Yorktown. and the war
seemed ended at a stroke, the country
turned from 1t in indifference-left it
without money; talked of disbanding
it without further ceremony, and with
no provision made for arrears Of pay;
seemed almost to challenge 1t to in
dignation and mutiny.
The Army on War Footing.
It was necessary, for every reason
of prudence and good craftsmanship,
to keep the army still upon war foot
ing. There are sure signs Of peace.
no doubt, but no man could foretell
what might be the course of politics
ere England should have compounded
her quarrel with France and Spain,
and ended the wars with which the
Revolution had become inextricably
involved.
'Twere folly to leave the English
army at New York unchecked Pre-
mature confidence that peace hcd
come might bring some sudden dis
aster of arms, should the enemy take
the field again.
The army must be ready to fight, if
only to make fighting unnecessary.
RIO RI CONTINUED