The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-05-31

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The LIST OF June saw her last house
Of burgesses convene; for by the 9Th
Of the month Dunmore was a fugi-
tive-had seen the anger Of Will
liamsburg mob blaze hot against him,
and had taken refuge In man-of-war
lying up the river. .
The province was ready for revolu-
ton, and washington was ready to 60
with it.
It meant more than. Washington
thought that he had come to Philar
delphia habited like q soldier.
It had not been his purpose to draw
all eyes upon him; It was merely his
Instructive expression Of his own per
sonal feeling with regard to the crisis
that had come. But 1t was in it's way
/ fulflment Of prophecy. g..
When the first Virginian convention
chose delegates to attend the con-
yress Of 1774, 'some of the tickets on
The ballot assigned reasons for the
choice expressed in them. Randolph
should preside in congress-; Lee and
Henry should display the different
kinds Of eloquence for which they
we're renowned; Washington should
command the army, IL an army should
be raised; Bland should open the
treasures Of ancient colonial learning:
Harrison should utter plain truths;
md Pendleton should be the penman
Ior business"
Self Polse Of tho Virginlans.
No wonder the gentlemen from Wiz.
ginia, coming with such confidence: to
the congress, made the instant i'm:
preston they did for mastery and
,eltpoise! -
There are some fine fellows come
rom Virginia." Joseph Reed had re-
ported, "but they are very high. We
understand they are the capital men
If the colony"
washington alone awaited his cue.
Now he was to get it, without expect
ng 1t.
A Struggling Army.
The irregular army .swarming be-
ore Boston was without standing or
government. 1t had run hastily to-
yether out of four colonies; was sub
|ect to no common authority; hardly
know what allegiance it bore; might
hll to pieces unless it were adequate
y commanded
The congress In Philadelphia was
called upon to recognize and adopt It,
1--WE it leave and authority to act for
Ill the colonies, give 1t 4 commander,
md summon the whole country to re-
Tuit 1t. :. -. -: -; ,~..-:.
, A Leader Outside New England.
There was ar obvious political ne
:essity that the thing should be done,
ind done promptly Massachusetts
lid not wish to stand alone; New Eng
and wanted the active assistance of
he other colonies: something must be
attempted to secure common action.
The first thing to do was to choose
IN acceptable and efficient leader. and
% choose him outside New England.
To John Adams the choice seemed
hmple enough. There was no soldier
n America, outside New England-t,or
inside either-to be compared, wheth-
II in experience or distinction, with
Washington, the gallant. straightfor>
ward, earnest Virginian he had learn
ID so to esteem and trust there In
Philadelphia.
John Adams Names Washin1ton.
He accordingly moved that congress
adopt the army at Cambridge and
declared that he had "but one gentle
nan in mind" for it's command-"a
gentleman from Virginia, who was
Imong u.s." he said, "and very we'll
Known to all Of us; a gentleman
whose skill and experience as an Off.
Ter, whose independent fortune, great
Ialents, and excellent universal char
hcter, would command the approba'
lion of all America. and Unite the cor
1ial exertions of all the colonies bet
ter than any other person in the
anion''
Washington, taken unawares. rose
and slipped in confusion from the
ROOM
Washington tho Unanimous Choice.
Some of his own friends doubted
The expediency of putting Virginian
1t the head Of a New England army
but the more clear-sighted among the
New Englanders did not, and the sc
lection was made, after q little hesita
! ton, unanimously - -:~-
Washington accepted his commits
! sion with that mixture Of nnodesty and
pride that made men love and honor
him. ''You may believe me, my deal
Patsy" were his simple words to hif
wife, when I assure you in the most
solemn manner, that, SO far from seek
Ing this appointment, I have used ev
cry endeavor in my power to avoid
1t, not only from my unwillingness t,
part with you and the family, bu
from a consciousness of it's being ,
trust too great for my capacity. );
But as it has been a kind Of .destin!
that has thrown me upon this service