Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-02-16

sure these gentlemen that it is a much easier and
less distressing thing to draw up circumstances in
Il comfortable room by good tireside than to Oc-
cupy cold, bleak hill and sleep under frost and
without clothes blankets However, al
though they seem to have little feeling for the
naked and distressed soldiers | feel superb
bundanty for them, and from my soul pity those
miSereS which it is neither in my power to relieve
nor prevent"
Washington made persistent efforts to get
guaranty of half pay for his officers after the war,
himself having no personal interest in the meas
ure; he had declared from the first that he would
never profit by it to the amount of single penny.
He deprecated constantly the jealousy of the mill
tary part of the government by the civil depart
ment.
"If we would pursue a right system of policy"
he wrote to member of congress- "in my opinion,
there would be none of these distinctions. We
should all, congress and army be considered as
people, embarked in one cause in one interest,
acting on the same principle and to the same end.
"That have not been able to make bows to the
taste of poor Colonel B. (whO by the way, believe
never saw one of them) is to be regretted" he
wrote in a letter to David Stuart, Especially as
upon these occasions they were indscriminately be-
slowed, and the best was master Of Would it
not have been better to throw the veil of charity
Them ascrbing their stiffness to the effects of
age or to the unskillfunCss of my teacher rather
than to pride and dignity of office, which, God
knows, has no charms for me? For l certainly
say had rather be at Mount Vernon with friend
two about me than to be attended at the seat
of government by the officers of state and the rep
resentatives Of every power in Europe"
Washington explained that he had reception
hours every Tuesday from three to four o'clock
when gentlemen came and went chatted with each
other and acted as they pleased.
"At their first entrance they salute me, and
them and talk with many as | can. What pomp
there is in all this am unable to discover Per-
haps it consists in not sitting. To this two
offered: 1t is unusual more substantial one,
I have no room large enough to contain a third of
the chairs which would be sufficient to admit it, If
1t is supposed that ostentation or the fashion of
courts could give rise to this custom will boldly
affirm that no supposon more erroneous,
for If were to give indulgence to my incllnatOnS
every moment that could withdraw from the ia
tigue of my station would be spent In retirement.
That it is not proceeds from the sense I entertain
of the propriety of giving to everyone as free ac-
cess as consists with that respect which is due
to the chair of government, and that respect /
conceive is neither to be acquired nor preserved
but by observing just medium between much
state and too great familiarity"
In 1893 Washington, in his second term as presi-
dent wrote to congress that while he sought peace
and urged a faithful discharge Of every duty to-
ward others, he recommended prompt measures
not only 4or defense but for nforcng Just claims.
"There is rank due the United States among
other nations which will be withheld if not abso-
lutely lost by the reputation of weakness. If we
desire to avoid insult must be able to repel 1t
if we desire to peace, one of the most pow
erful instruments of prosperity, 1t must be
known that we are at all times ready for war;" he
wrote.
AS he wished to avoid war, so he also wishes TO
avoid alliances which might jeopardize the peace
of the nation.
against the insidious wiles of foreign influence
the jealousy of free people ought to be constantly
awake" he said warningly.
"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to
foreign nations Is in extending commercial re-
latons to have little political connection as
"If we remain people under an efficient gov
crnment, the period is not far off when we may
deny material injury from external annoyance
when may take such attitude as will cause
the neutrality may at any time be resolved upon
to be scrupuousy respected when belligerents, un
der the impossbility Of making acquisitions upon
us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provoca.
ton; when we may choose peace or war, as our In
terests, guided by justice, shall counsel"