Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-02-15

sure these gentlemen that 1t is n much easier and
less distressing thing to draw up remonstrances in
comfortable room by good firesde than to &C.
cupy cold, bleak hill and sleep under frost and
snow without clothes or blankets. However, al
though they seem to have little feeling for the
naked and distressed soldiers, I 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
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.
III 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
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 letter to David Stuart, Especially as
upon these occasions they were Unfortunately be-
slowed. and the best was master of. Would 1t
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
knows. has no charms for me? For certainly
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
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 1t consists in not sitting To this two reasons
are offered: 1t Is unusual; more substantial one,
have no room large enough to contain third of
the chairs which would be sufficient to admit it. If
1t is supposed that ostentation the fashion of
courts could give rise to this custom will boldly
affirm that no suppostion ever more erroneous,
for II were to give indulgence to my inclinations
every moment that could withdraw from the IA
tigue of my station would be spent in retirement.
That 1t is not proceeds from the sense entertain
OF the proprtety Of giving to everyone as free &C.
cess as consists with that respect which is due
to the chair of government. and that respect I
conceive Is neither to be acquired nor preserved
but by observing just medium between much
state and too great familiarity"
In 1903 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 for defense, but for inforcing just claims
'.There is q rank due the United States among
lutely lost, by the reputation Of weakness. If we
desire to avoid insult must be able to repel 1t;
II we desire to secure peace, one of the most pow.
erful instruments Of our 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 jeopardlze the peace
Of the nation.
against the insldous 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 our commercial re-
lations to have as little political connection as
IF we remain one people under an eficient gov.
eminent. the period Is not far of when we may
deny material injury from external annoyance;
when we may take such an attitude as will cause
the neutrality we 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 provoca.
ton; when We may choose peace or war, as our In.
terests. guided by Justice shall counsel"