The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1917-02-16

sure these gentlemen that it is a much easier and
less distressing thing to draw up circumstances in
u comfortable room by a good freside than to oc-
cupy cold, bleak hill and sleep under frost and
snow without clothes blankets. However al
though they to have little feeling for the
naked and distressed soldiers, 1 feel supera-
bundantly for them, and from my soul pity those
mseries which 1t Is neither in my power to relieve
nor prevent"
Washington made persistent efforts to get a
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 1t 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 a member of congress, 'in my opinion.
there would be none of these distinctions We
houd all, congress and army be considered as one
people, embarked in one cause, In one interest,
acting on the same principle and to the same end I"
THAT have not been able to make bows to the
taste of poor Colonel B. (who by the way 1 believe
never of them) is to be regretted" he
wrote In letter to David Stuart Especially as
upon these occasions they Unfortunately be.
slowed, and the best was master of. Would II
not have been better to throw the veil of charity
over them ascribing their stiffness to the effects of
age or to the unskillfulncss of my teacher rather
than to pride and dignity of office which, God
say had rather be at Mount Vernon with a friend
or two about me than TO be attended at the seat
OF government by the officers of state and the rep
resentatiyes 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 ms they pleased.
AT their first entrance they salute me- and
them and talk with as many as can What pomp
there is in 81 this am unable TO discover Per
haps 1t consists In not sitting To this two reasons
are offered It is unusual more substantial one
nave no room large enough to contain third of
the chairs which would be sufficient to admit IT. If
II Is supposed that ostentatiOn or the fashion of
courts could give rise to this custom will boldly
affirm that no superstition was ever more erroneous
Tor II were to give indulgence TO my Incllnations
every moment that could withdraw from the In.
tgue of my station would be spent in retirement
That II is not proceeds from the sense entertain
of the propriety of giving to everyone as free ac-
cess as consists with that respect which Is dine
10 the chair of government. and that respect
conceive is neither to be acquired nor preserved
nut by observing just medium between much
state and too great familiarity"
In 1913 Washington, in his second term as presi.
dent wrote to congress that while he sought peace
aud urged faithful discharge of every duty to
warn others, he recommended prompt measures
not only for defense but for inforcng lust claims
There is a rank due the United States among
"'her nations which win be withheld II not ahSo-
lutely lost by the reputation of weakness. II we
desire 20 avoid insult must he able 10 repel II.
II We desire To secure peace. one OF the most now
ertni instruments of our prosperity, II must be
kn"Wn that We are at all times ready for war" he
wrote
As he wished to ssoid war so he also wishes 10
avoid alliances which might jeopartize the peare
OF the nation
Against the i0SiJiious wiles of foreign influence
the jealousy of free people ought to be constantly
awake he said waruingfy.
The great rule Of conduct for us in regard n
foreign nations is in extending our commercial re-
lationS TO have as little political connection rs
possible
II we remain one people under an efficient GOV
eminent. the period is not far OF when We may
deny material injury from external annovanrs.
when We may take such an attitude as win csnss
the neutrality we may at any time be resolved mo,
|" De >crupulouSly respected when belIigereDts mn
der the lmpoSSlhility of making acquisitions mon
US, viii not lightly hazard the giving US nrnvocs.
ton when we may choose peace or war. as o,r in
teTeStS' guided by justice, shall counsel"