Evening star., 1914-02-22
Compilation of Tributes
Paid to the Character
of George Washington

The Star has received from Miss Louisa
Rittenhouse the following timely compila-
ton Of expressions regarding George
Washington from a variety of sources
the words of men, women and children In
appreciation of the character and ac-
complishments Of the first great Amer
lean. Miss Rittenhouse gives the follow
ing information:
Mrs. Ellen Fellows Brown, in discussing
the military side OF the great leader,
says:
Through the discovery Of the Washing
ton. order book, the character of the
generaI-in-chief of the American revo.
lutionists is laid open to the scrutiny oi
the generations with deeper insight tnah
has ever before been possible. In this
manuscript, which is now being recorded
in the Journal of American, History.
Washington has unconsciously dellneated
his own character for posterity. osher
than its importance as military recoIu'
lit is true analysis Of the man himself.
It is permeated with the spirit that In
spired the American revolutionists TO
victory over the great British empire.
It proves that it was not 'rapaclous
war: that it was not war for gross
aggrandizernent. but that it was a strug-
gle for high moral principle. In his
manuscript is a continual exhortation for
honorable conduct and humane warfare
Washington appea to his soidiers 10
guard their self-respect: to be watchIul
of their moral conduct, to care for the
we'll being of themselves and their enc
mics. always to practice justice.
Remember he writes. you are free
men fighting for the blessings OF liberty;
show the whole world that freemen are 2
superior to any mercenaries on earth.
This order book is firm in its evidence
that the American revolutionists were not
allowed to plunder. that booty was not
an honorable emo ument in the war: so
abhorrent were questionable military
practices to Washington that he threaten
ed punishment by death to soldiers
caught plundering private property The
brigade majors are to meet at lO o CLOCK
September 6, 1776, and they are first to
ed in pillaging Lord Sterlings and other
property The health and the content
ment Of his soldiers were always on ms
mind. and nearly every day ne maze
inquiry into their condition. apologizing
for insufficient food and urging them to
care for their own weil-beinS.
Mrs. Adams Quoted Dryden.
The following is from cotemporary
of the father of his country. When
Mrs. John Adams. wife Of his sue
cessor in Office, says Miss Rittenhouse,
first behald Washington, on the oc-
army, she exclaimed to a friend:
These lines of Dryden describe him:
Mark bis majestic fabric;
-,t5 IT'S u temple fit for the
Indweliin% Of god.
Lucretia Davidson, when little glsi
of but twelve years. penned the fol-
lowing lines. and entitled them At
Washington's Tomb:
And does hero's dust lie here:
Columbia. case and drop tear!
His countrys and the orphans friend,
See thousands o'er his ashes bend.
Among the heroes of. the age
He WAS the warrior and the sage:
He left a train Of glory bright.
Which never will be hid in night.
The brightest on the list OF fame,
In golden letters shines his name
Her trump shall sound 1t through the world
Ard the striped banner ne'er be furied-
And every seq and every age.
Prom .isping boy to learned sage. :.
The widow and the orphan son,
Revere the name of Washington.