The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-08-08

/ IN WHICH Virtue Was p6TSOIlueu do du-
T dressing those whom she would make
her votaries Her power over the
heart was never greater. and the H. |
lustration of her doctrine by her own |
example was never more perfect"
Words of Appeal.
q feel how much / shall stand in
need of the countenanee and aid Of
every friend to myself; of every
friend to the Revolution. and of every
lover of good government" were
Washington's words of appeal to Ed
ward Rutledge, OF South Carolina;
and he never seemed to his friends
more attractive or more noble than
now.
Turns 20 New Duties.
!, The Inauguration over, the streets
fallen quiet again, the legislative
business of the houses resumed, Wash
ington regained his old self-possession,
. and turned to master his new duties
with calm thoroughness of purpose
which seemed at once to pass into the
, action of the government itself.
Perhaps it was true, as he thought,
that he had been no statesman hith-
erto; though those who had known
+ him would have declared themselves
I of another mind. He had carried the
!. affairs of the Confederation upon his
own shoulders, while the war lasted,
after a fashion the men of that time
were not likely to forget, so full of
> energy had he been, so provident and
!. capable upon every point of policy.
I II, H. 6ad
I had shown his correspondents the
! country over such an appreciation of
: the present, so sure 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, accounted him their leader in
peace no less than in war.
But craftsmanship hitherto had been
# only incidental to his duties as sol
# der and citizen. 1t had been only
q an accident of the Revolution that he
i had had himself, oftentlmes, to supply
j the foresight and the capacity in &C
i ton which the hating congress
n lacked. He had had no experience a
IA all in actual civil administration. HI
= did not know his own abilities, or real
ie ize how rich his experience in affairs
i had, in fact, been. He went about hi
q. new tasks with diffidence, therefore
n but with the full-pulsed heartiness, too
i of the man who thoroughly trusts him
! self, for the capacity at any rate o
a taking pains. Craftsmanship was nov
=, his duty-his whole duty-and it wa
:; his purpose to understand and execut'
~ the Office of president as he had under
= stood and administered the office o
al general
Il Need for Caution.
a. He knew what need there was 70
al caution. This was to be, lin the frs
"a instance, in a considerable degree,
~ government of accommodation as vel
~ as a. government of laws. Much wa
to be done by prudence, much by cor
Citation, much by firmness." 81 walk,
no ne said, ION untrodden ground. Their
T. is scarcely an action the motive @
- which may not be subjected 70
- double Interpretation. There is scarce
- ly any part of my conduct which ma
=. not hereafter be drawn into prect
~ dent"
n. But. though he sought a pruder
81 course, he had no mind TO be timid
as though he asked advice, he meant
in. be his own master.
an Washington had, no doubt, a NOR
precise understanding OF what the ne
he government must be made to mea
30 than any other man living. excep
We perhaps, Hamilton and Madison. tn
or men whom he most consulted TIL
ax- Confederation had died in contemp
despised for its want of dignity an
power. The new government mu:
deserve and get pre-eminent standin
u from the first. It's policy must MAX
"a the states a nation. must stir th
" people out OF their pettiness as co
81 onists and provincials, and give thei
st national character and spirit
81 was not government only that wa
81 to be created, but the definite bod
III of opinion also which should sustai
SE and perfect it. 1t must be made wort
81 believing in, and the best spirits
IS the country must be rallied to its su
~ port.
* 1t was not the question simply
Is how strong the government should b
. Its action must, as Washington sal
be mixed of hrmness. prudence ar
- Cancellation, If it would win likiT
nto and loyalty as well as respect. 1t nu
lad cultivate tact as well as eschew wea
wo ness: must win as well as comp
!; obedience.
ew Gives Dignity to Office.
av- 1t was of the first consequence
nod -
it had chosen to preside in this de
cate business of establishing a go
the eminent which should be vigoro,
md without being overbearing was
1ed thoroughbred gentleman, whose i
uld stinets would carry him a great W;
toward the solution Of many a nj,
ght question of conduct
re- While he waited to be made pre-.
ure dent he called upon every senator al
nod representative then In aSfendsn