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

the most courage toward the enemy and the most
kindness and good humor TO each other
IF any be so lost TO virtue and love of country as
to continue in such practice after this order they
VIII be severely punished and discharged from the
service I'm disgrace"
After the disastrous battle of Long Island Wash
ngton once took the liberty of mentioning TO
congress that no dependence could be put i'm militia
or other troops than those enlisted and embodied
for n longer period than regulations have
heretofore prescribed.
our liberties must OF necessity be greatly haz-
arded If not entirely lost, If their defense is left to
any but a permanent standing army. mean one
TO exist during Men who have been free and
subjected to no control cannot be reduced to order
In an instant
There iS.NO situation earth less cnviable or
more distressing" continues Washington. than
that person who is ar the head Of troops regardless
of order and discipline and unprovded with almost
every necessity. The difficulties that have sur
rounded me since have been I'm the service have
kept my mind constantly upon the stretch: the
wounds which my feelings as an officer have re-
ceved by n thousand things that have happened
contrary to my expectations and wishes; the cf-
feet Of my own conduct and present appearance OF
things little pleasing TO myself as TO render It a
matter Of no surprise to me If stand captny cen
Sured by congress Induce n thorough con
victiOn in my mind that II will be impossible, unless
there Is thorough change in our military system.
for me 10 conduct matters to give satisfaction To
the pubic, which Is all the rCCOupCnSe | aim at
ever wish for"
This unhappy state Of things was almost wholly
due to the feeling manifested in several sections OF
the country persisted in TO the hampering Of
Washngton's campaign and 10 the detriment Of the
cause. Congress was finally prevailed upon by
Washington's representations and the tardily
dawning consciousness that war was enevitable
and that being So unpreparedness meant calamity.
On December 90 1T7G, ne wrote TO the president
Of congress: "Short enstmcnts and mistaken de-
pendence upon our militia have been the origin OF
all our misfortune and the great accumulation Of
our debt ] beg leave 10 give II as my
humble opinion that eighty-eight battalions are by
means equal 90 the opposition you are TO make.
and that not moments time is 10 be lost i'm rails
ing a greater number, not less, in my opinion
and that OF my officers, than one hundred and ten.
In my judgment this Is not a time to stand
upon expense funds not the only object OF
consideration. II may be thought that I
going u good deal out Of my line Of duty 10
advise thus freely. A character TO lose an estate
10 fortell the inestimable blessings Of liberty at
stake and a life devoted must be my excuse"
Far from holding himself aloof and wanting TO
keep all power In his own hands, Washington vel
coined cooperation.
After he had been invested with the dictatOrial
powers necessitated by the emergency of public af-
fairs, the Council Of Safety OF New York apollo
gzed for certain measures they had taken IN re-
gard 10 New York troops which were later dlscOv-
cred 10 nave been an nfrlngnent or his authority.
Washington replied 81 should be unhappy In the
belief that any part of my letter 20 you could be
construed into the slightest hint that you wish 10
interfere In the military line Heaven knows that
7 greatly want the aid Of every good man. and that
there not such envlable pleasures attending my
situation rs to make me too Jealous Of It's prerOga
tives Rather than complain OF your efforts In the
military way you deserve the thanks of US all, and
I feel myself happy in this opportunity Of return
Ing you mine in the greatest truth and sincerity"
At Valley Forge, where Washlngton's troops were
almost naked had few blankets and scanty food
he was moved 10 resentment against "the gentle
men, without knowing whether the army was real
ly going into winter quarters or not reprObatng
the measure a. much as IL they thought the sol
diers were made Of stocks end stones and equally
insensble Of frost and snow, and, moreover. as n
they conceived - easily practicable for an Inferior
army under the Disadvantages I have described
ours 20 be 20 confne superior IN al respects
well appointed. within the city OF Philadelphia and
20 cover from depreciation and waste the states OF
Pennsylvania and New JERSEY. can as