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

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 ne would pay no more calls, ac-
cept no invitations.
On a day fixed he would receive |
calls; and he would show himself once /
week at Mrs. Washingten'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 republican Off
Ger, the servant of the people. But he
known that his Office aud authority
were the first in the land.
Every proper outward form OF dig
nifty. ceremony and self<espect should
be observed that might tell whole
sesnely 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
1t 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 oply 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, a protege OF
. France. claimed the right to deal di.
rectIy with the president in person,
as if upon terms of familiar privilege,
I when conducting his diplomatic busi.
, ness; but was checked very promptly
!. 1t was not likely man bred in the
! proud school of Virginian country gen
. tlemen would miss SO obvious point
!, of etiquette as this. To demand init
! macy was to intimate superiority, and
+ Washington's reply drew from the
i count an instant apology.
That the United States had every
! reason to hold France in loyal affec
. ton Washington gladly admitted witt
# all stately courtesy; but affection be
q came servility when it lost self
. respect. and France must approach
q the president of the United States al
# every other country did, through, thu
y properly constituted department Il
there are rules of proceeding he said
quietly. which have originated from
!, the wisdom of statesmen, and ar
j.. sanctioned by the common assent o
. nations, ii would not be prudent for
!. young state to dispense with them a.
together young stat
= Chis thought added which foreig
:. states had despised and might nov
"a try to patronize.
I These small matters would carr
= an infinite weight of suggestion wit
- them, as he knew, and every suggei
! ton that proceeded from the presiien
- should speak of dignity and indeper
J, dence.
= Stricken With Illness.
-. He had been scarcely six weeks i
u office when he was stricken with
- sharp illness malignant tumor
- his thigh seemed to his physicians fo
- a time to threaten modification
was three weeks before he could TAX
the air again, stretched painfully {
~ length in his coach: even his stalwal
strength was slow to rally from tn
draft made upon it by the disease, an
~ its cure with the knife.
=. There was deep anxiety for lit
= among those who knew, so likely d.
:, 1t seem that the life of the COVER
- ment was staked upon his life. +
as himself had looked very calmly I'M
the doctors troubled face, and hs
hidden him tell him the worst wit
II that placid firmness that always can
~ to him in moments of danger.
y am not afraid to die" he sal
whether tonight or twenty yea
mt hence makes no difference. l kno
a that am in the hands of good Pro
idence."