The Ordway new era., 1913-10-24

been printed on the one side and the
other on the great question" he said
SO far as he was able to obtain them:
and he felt as poignantly as any man
the deep excitement OF the moment
GUS contest
1t disturbed him keenly to find
George Mason opposing the constitu.
tion-the dear friend from whom he
had always accepted counsel hitherto
in public affairs-and Richard Henry
Lee and Patrick Henry. too. In their
passionate attachment to what they
deemed the Just sovereignty of vir-
ginia.
He could turn away with all his old
self-possession. nevertheless. to dis
cuss questions of culture and tillage.
In the midst Of the struggle. with Ar
thur Young over sea. and to write
very gallant compliments to the Mar
quis de Chastellux on his marriage.
Compliments the Marquis.
So your day has at length come
he laughed. II am glad OF 1t with all
my heart and soul. 1t is quite good
enough for you. Now you are well
served for coming to fight in favor OF
the American rebels all the way across
the Atlantic ocean. by catching that
terrible contagion-domestic felicity
which. like the smallpox. or the
plague, a man can have only once in
his life. because 1t commonly lasts him
tat least with US In America don't
know how you manage such matters
in France) for his whole lifetime"
Ten months of deep but quiet agi-
tation-the forces OF opinion in close
grapple-and the future seemed to
clear. N,
The constitution was adopted. only
two states dissenting.
1t had been tense and stubborn
fight: In such states as Massachusetts
and New York, the concerted action
of men at the centers OF trade against
the instructive dread OF Capitalization
or change In the regions that lay back
from the rivers and the sea; in states
like Virginia, where the mass of men
waited to be led the leaders who had
vision against those who had only the
slow wisdom of caution and present.
ment.
Virginia Maintained the Initiative.
But, though she acted late In the
business, and some housekeeping
spirits among even her greater men
held back. Virginia did not lose the
place Of Initiative she had had in all
this weighty business Of reform.
Something in her air or her life had
given her in these latter years an e1.
traordinary breed Of public men-men
liberated from local prejudice. pos
sessed o: vision and an efficacy in
affairs worthy OF the best traditions
of craftsmanship among the English
race from which they were sprung.
Of taking the long view. of
seeing the permanent lines OF leader
ship upon great questions. and shap-
Ing ordinary Views to meet extraor-
dinary ends.
their discontinue gracefully. loyalty.
like men bred to free institutions: and
had the deep satisfaction
to zee his state come without hesita-
tion to his view and hope,
Country Demands Washington.
The new constitution made sure OF.
and 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 flrst president of the United
States.
I'VE cannot. sir. do without you,"
cried Governor Johnson Of Maryland,
and and thousands more can ex.
plain to anybody but yourself why we
cannot do without you"
To make any one else president. 1t
seemed to men everywhere. would be
like, crowning . subject while the king
was by.
Washington Holds Back.
But Washington held back, as he
had held back from attending the con-
convention. He doubted his
civil capacity. called himself an old
man. said ut would be to forego re-
pose and domestic enjoyment for
:rouble. perhaps for public obloquy."
The acceptance" he declared.
would be attended with more diff
ience and reluctance than I ever ex-
perienced before in my life"
But he was not permitted to de.
slime. Hamilton told him that his at
endance upon the constitutional con-
must be taken to have pledged
lin in the view of the country to
AXE part also In the formation of the
government. In matter so essen.
ial to the wellbeing OF society as
he prosperity of newly instituted
said the great advocate,
a citizen of 80 much consequence as
'ourself to its success has no option
tut to lend his services. II called for.
'ermit me. to say 1t would be inglori-
us. in such situation. not to hazard
he glory, however great. which he
night have previously acquired"
Yields to Popular viii.
Washington, of course, yielded, like
he simple-minded gentleman and SOL
tor m Nfua vvhov, ,ro.