The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-02-21
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the wounds which my feelings officer have
received by thousand things that have happened
contrary to my expectations and wishes; me eI-
feet of my own conduct and present appearance
of things little pleasing TO myself as TO renueI
it matter of surprise to me if l should stanu
capitally censured by congress induce d
thorough conviction in my mind that II VIII pe
impossible, unless there is thorough change I'D
our military system, for me to conduct matters 10
give satisfaction to the public. which Is all the
recOmpense aim at or ever wish Tor
This unhappy state of things almost wholly
due to the feeling manifested in several sections
of the country. persisted in to the hamperlng oi
WashingtOn's campaign and TO the detrimehI VI
the cause. Congress was finally prevailed upon oS
Washington's representations and the tardlly
dawning consciousness that war was inevltaDie
and that being So unpreparedness meant ca
lamity.
On December 20, 1776 he wrote to the president
of congress: "ShOrt enlistments and mistaken
dependence upon our militia have been the origin
of all our misfortunes and great accumulation OF
our debt I beg leave to give it as my
humble opinion that SO battaliOns are by no means
equal to the opposition you are to make, ana tha'
not moments time is to be lost in raising a
greater number, not less in my opinion and that
of my officers than 10. In my judgment
this is not time to stand upon expense; our
funds are not the only object of consideration :
1t may be thought that I am going a good
deal out of my line of duty to advise thus freely
character to loose. estate to forfeit. the IN
estimable 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 hands, Washington
welcomed cooperation
After ne had been invested with the dictatorial
powers neceSsitated by the emergency Of public
affairs the council of safety of New York apollo
gized for certain measures they had taken in re-
gard to New York troops which were later dis
covered to have been an Infringement his au-
thority. Washington replied: 81 should be IN
happy in the belief that any part of my letter to
you could be construed into the slightest hint
that you wish to interfere in the military line.
Heaven knows that greatly want the aid of
every good man, and that there not such
enviable pleasures attending my situation to
make me too jealous of its prerogatfves. Rather
than complain of your late efforts in the military
way, you deserve the thanks Of ALL and I feel
myself happy in this opportunity of returning you
mine in the greatest truth and sincerity"
At Valley Forge where Washington's troops
were almost naked. had few blankets and scanty
food he moved to resentment against sthe
gentlemen, without knowing whether the army
really going into winter quarters or not
repTobat1ng the measure as much if they
thought the soldiers were made of stocks and
stones and equally insensibe of frost and snow
and moreover. if they conceived it easily prac-
dcabe for inferior army under the disad-
vantages have described TO be to confine
a superior one, in all respects we'll appointed
within the city of Philadelphia and to cover from
depreciation and waste the states of PENNSYLVANIA
tlemeD that it is much easier and less distress
ing thing to draw up remonstrances in COM
Portable room by a good fireside than to occupy a
cold. bleak hill and sleep under frost and snow
without clothes or blankets. However although
they seem to have little feeling for the naked and
distressed soldiers. I feel superabundantly for
them, and from my soul I pity those miseries
which it is neither in my power TO relieve nor pre-
vent"
Washington made persistent efforts to get a
guarantee Of half-pay for his officers after the
war. himself having personal interest in the
measure; 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 military part of the government by the civil
department.
eff we would pursue right system of poIicv >,
he wrote to member Of congress- Gin nv onfnion
there would be none Of these distinctions We
should all, congress and army, be considered ne
people, embarked in cause in one interest,"
acting on the same principle and TO the same end ,,
In 1913 Washington, in his second term as nresi
dent wrote TO congress that while he sonoI,+
peace and urged faithful discharge of every 5Ttv
toward others, he recommended PROMPT r1ees,,-os
not only for defense but for enforcing lust claims
There is a rank due the United States arno,-
other nations which viii be withheld if NOT az
solutely lost, by the reputation of yvea kness Ts
we desire to avoid insult we must be able m rsn.l
1t; IL we desire TO secure peace, one of the mos
powerful instruments of prosperity Fl rl,,s+
be known that we at all times ready for vvsr >,
he wrote