The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-02-16

sure these gentlemen that II is II much easier and
less distressing thing to draw up circumstances In
comfortable room by good frcside than 20 oc-
cupy cold, bleak hill and sleep under frost and
snow without clothes or blankets. However al
though they seem 10 have little feeling for the
naked and distressed soldiers, | feel superb
bundantly for them, and from my soul pity those
miscrics which ii 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
urc; lac had declared from the first that he would
never profit by Il 10 the amount OF Il single penny.
He deprecated constantly the jealousy of the mill
tary part OF the government by the civil depart
ment.
IF would pursue n 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
people embarked i'm one cause In one interest,
acting the same principle and to the same end"
THAT I have not been able 10 make bows 10 the
taste OF poor Colonel H. (who, by the way, believe
never saw one OF thcm) is 10 be regretted" he
wrote I'm a letter 10 David Stuart, especially as
upon these occasions they were lndiscrimnatcly be
slowed, and the best I was master of. Would II
not have been better to throw the veil of charity
over them ascribng their stiffness TO the effects Of
age or 10 the unSklllfulncss of my teacher rather
than 10 pride and dignity OF office, which, God
knows, has no charms for me? For certainly
say had rather be at Mount Vernon with a friend
two about me than TO be attended at the seat
Of government by the officers Of state and the rep
rcscntativcs Of every power I'm Europe"
Washington explained that he had reception
hours every Tuesday from three 20 four o'clock,
when gentlemen came and went chattcd with cncb
other and acted as they pleased.
AT their first entrance they salute me. and
them and talk with as many as I can. What pomp
tharp fe In all I I'm tp tp pgr-
hnps II consists I'm not sitting. To this two reasons
are offered II IS unusual a more substantial one,
! have room large enough 10 contain a third of
the chairs which would be sufficient 10 admit H. n
II IS supposed that ostcntatiOn or the fashion Of
courts could give rise 10 this custom viii boldly
affirm that no suppOsion was ever more erroneous,
for II I were TO give indulgence 70 my lnclinatons
every moment that could withdraw from the IA
tgue OF my station would be spent I'm retirement.
That Il IS not proceeds from the sense entertain
Of the proprcty Of giving 20 everyone ns free nc
cess consists with that respect which IS due
10 the chair of government and that respect !
conceive IS neither 10 be acquired nor preserved
hut by observing just medium between much
state and too great familiarity"
In 1893 Washington. in his second term ns pres-
dent, wrote 10 congress that while he sought peace
and urged faithful discharge Of every duty 20.
ward others, he recommended prompt measures
not only Sof defense but for lnforclng Just claims
other nations which will be withheld, ~ not absO
utcly lost by the reputation of weakness. If we
desire 20 avoid insult must be able 10 repel n;
n we dcsl.. 20 secure peace. of the most pow
crful instruments Of our prosperity II must be
known that are az all times ready FOR war" he
wrote
As he wished 10 avoid war. 20 be also wishes 70
avoid alliances which might ieopardze The peace
OF the nation.
Against the insldious wlles Of foreign Influence
the jealousy Of free people ought 10 DC constantly
awake" he said warnlngly
"Thc great rule Of conduct for ug I'm regard 10
foreign nations II In extending our commercial
latlons 20 have as little political connection az
possible .
IF We remain one people under an efficient gov
eminent. the period is not far on when may
deny material injury from external annoyance;
when may take such an attitude will cause
the neutrality may az any time be resolved upon
10 be scrupuousy respected; when belllgerents un-
der the impOssbllity Of making acquisitions upon
VS.. will not lightly hazard the giving provOca.
ton when we may choose peace or war, as our In
terests guided BY Justice shall counsel"