The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-07-25
GEORGE WASHINGTON
BY WOODROW WILSON
The Story of The First President by The President

toward the solution of many a 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 them upon how cordial and nat
ural a basis of personal acquaintance
he wished, for his part, to see the
government conducted; but, the oath
of office once taken, he was no longer
a simple citizen, as he had been dur
ing those two days of waiting; the
dignity of the government had come
into his keeping with the office. Hence
forth he would pay no more calls, ac-
cept no invitations.
On a day fixed he would receive
calls; and he would show himself once
a week at Mrs. Washington's general
receptions. He would invite persons
of official rank or marked distinction
TO his table at suitable intervals.
There should be no pretense of seclu-
sion, no parade of inaccessibility. The
president should be a republican Off
Ger, tic SCI NdAit VI liAC PSOpIC. ApuI AAC
would not be common. 1t should be
known that his office and authority
were the first in the land.
Every proper outward form of dig
nifty, ceremony and self-respect should
be observed that might tell whole
somely upon the imagination of the
people: that might be made to serve
as a visible sign, which no man could
miss, that there was here no vestige
of the old federal authority, at which
it had been the fashion to laugh, but
a real government, and that the great.
est in the land.
Prestige for Government.
Some thought him stiff, but only the
churlish could deem him unrepublican,
so evident was it to every candid man
that it was not himself but his office
he was exalting. His old passion for
success was upon him, and he meant
that this government of which he had
been made the head should have pres.
tige from the first.
Count de Moustier, the French min.
lister to the United States, deeming
America, no doubt, protege of
France. claimed the right to deal di-
rectly with the president in person,
as if upon terms of familiar privilege,
when conducting his diplomatic bust
ness: but was checked very promptly
It was not likely a man bred in the
proud school of Virginian country gen.
tlemen would miss SO obvious a point
of etiquette as this. To demand init
macy was to intimate superiority, and
Washington's reply drew from the
count an instant apology.
That the United States had every
reason to hold France in loyal affec-
ton Washington gladly admitted with
all stately courtesy; but affection be-
came servility when it lost self
respect, and France must approach
the president of the United States as
every other country did, through the
properly constituted department. "If
there are rules of proceeding" he said,
quietly, which have originated from
the wisdom of statesmen, and are
sanctioned by the common assent of
nations, it would not be prudent for a
young state to dispense with them al
together'-particularly young state
(his thought added which foreign
states had despised and might now
try to patronize.
These small matters would carry
an infinite weight of suggestion with
them, as he knew, and every sugges-
| ton that proceeded from the president
should speak of dignity and indepen-
dence.
Stricken With Illness.
He had been scarcely six weeks in
office when he was stricken with a
sharp illness. A malignant tumor in
his thigh seemed to his physicians for
a time to threaten modification. 1t
was three weeks before he could take
the air again, stretched painfully at
length in his coach; even his stalwart
draft made upon it by the disease, and
its cure with the knife.
There was deep anxiety for little
among those who knew, so likely did
it seem that the life of the govern
ment was staked upon his life. He
himself had looked very calmly into
the doctors troubled face, and had
hidden him tell him the worst with
that placid firmness that always came
to him in moments of danger.
81 am not afraid to die" he said.
Whether tonight or twenty years
hence makes no difference. l know
that l am in the hands of a good Prov
idence."
chain had been stretched across
the street in front of the house where
he lay. to check the noisy traffic that
might have disturbed him more deep
ly in his fever. But the government
had not stood still the while. He had
steadily attended to important mat
ters as he could. Twas scarcely nee.
essary he should be out of bed and
abroad again to make all who handled
affairs feel his mastery; and by the
time the summer was ended that mas