The Washington herald., 1913-03-10

Copyright, 1915 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicatel
NO. IS.
The Inauguration over. the streets
fallen quiet again. the legislative busi-
ness of the Houses resumed, Washing
ton regained his old self-possession, and
turned to master his new duties with a
| calm thoroughness OF purpose which
seemed at once to pass into the action
| OF the government itself
Perhaps 1t was true. as he thought.
that he had been no statesman hither-
to; though those who had known him
| would have declared themselves OF an
| other mind. He had carried the affairs
OF the Confederation upon his shoulders,
while the war lasted, after a fashion the
men Of that time We're not likely to for
get, so full OF energy had he been, so
provident and capable upon every point
of policy.
His letters, too, since the war ended
had shown his correspondents the coun-
present, so sure a forecast Of the future.
so masculine an understanding OF what
waited to be DONE and OF the means at
hand to do It, that they, at least. ac-
counted him their leader in peace no less
than in war
Difficult Executive.
But statesmanship hitherto had been
only incidental to his duties as a SOL
dier and a citizen. 1t had been only
an accident OF the Revolution that he
had had himself. oftentimes. to supply
the foresight and the capacity in action
which the halting Congress lacked.
He had had no experience at all IN
actual civil administration. He did not
- 4.
rich his experience in affairs had, in
fact. been. He went about his new
tasks with diffidence. therefore. but with
the full-pulsed heartiness, too, OF the
man who thoroughly trusts himself for
the capacity at any rate Of taking pains.
Craftsmanship was now his duty-his
whole duty-and 1t was his purpose to
understand and execute the office OF
President as he had understood and ad-
ministered the office of general.
His Own Master.
He knew what need there was for
caution.
This was to be. ''in the first instance,
in a considerable degree, a government
ment OF laws. Much was to be done
by prudence. much by conciliation. much
by irmness."
II walk he said, "on untroddcn
ground. There is scarcely an action
the motive of which may not be SUBJ
jected to a double Interpretation. There
Is scarcely any part of my conduct which
may not hereafter be drawn into prec-
edent."
But. though he sought a prudent course,
he had no mind to be timid: though he
asked advice, he meant to be his own
master.
Understood the Situation.
Washington had, no doubt. 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 con-
tempt, despised for its want Of dignity
and power. The new government must
make the States a nation, must stir the
people out Of their pettiness as colon
lists and provincials. and give them a
national character and spirit.
1t was not government only that
was to be created, but the definite body
of opinion also which should sustain
and perfect it. 1t must be made worth
believing in, and the best spirits of the
country must be rallied to its support
Not . Question of Strength.
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 con-
ciliation, II 1t would win liking and loyal
" a. well as respect
It must cultivate tact a. well a. eschew