The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1918-02-15
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the wounds which my feelings officer have
received by a thousand things that have happened
contrary to my expectations and Wishes the ef-
feet of my conduct and present appearance
of things so little pleasing to myself as to render
II a matter Of no surprise to me II should staho
capitay censured by congress induce
thorough conviction In my mind that II VIII ne
Impossible unless there is a thorough change In
our military system. for me to conduct matters 10
give satisfaction to the public, which Is all the
recompense l aim at or ever wish for
This unhappy state of things was almost wholly
due to the feeling manifested In several secuohs
of the country. persisted in to the hamperihs VI
WashInpton's campaign and to the detriment OF
the cause Congress was finally prevailed upon by
washIngton's representations and the tardiiy
dawning consciousness that war was inevtape
and that being so. unpreparedness meant Gu
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 beg leave to give II as my
humble opinion that SO battalons are by no means
equal to the opposition you are to make. and that
not a moments time is to be lost In raising
greater number, not less in my opinion ana thnt
of my officers than 40. In my judgment
this is not n time to stand upon expense; our
funds are not the only object Of consideration
deal out of my line of duty to advise thus freely
character to loose, estate to forfeit, the In
estmabe 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
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 later dis
covered to have been an infringement on his au-
thority. Washington replied: II should be
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 I greatly want the aid Of
every good man. and that there not such
enviable pleasures attending my situation as to
make me too Jealous Of Its prerogatives. Rather
than complain of your late efforts in the military
way, you deserve the thanks Of us all. and feel
myself happy in this opportunity of returning you
mine in the greatest truth and sincerity"
At Valley Forge. where washington's troops
We're almost naked had few blankets and scanty
food he was moved TO resentment against "the
gentlemen, without knowing whether the army
really going into winter quarters not
reprobating the measure much II they
thought the soldiers were made Of stocks and
stones and equally insensible Of frost and snow
and moreover. II they conceived It easily prac.
tcabe for an inferior army under the disad.
vantages I have described ours to be to confine
a superior one, in all respects we'll appointed
within the city Of Philadelphia and 10 cover from
depreciation and waste the states of PENNSYLVANIA
and New jersey. can assure these gen
temen that II Is a much easier and less distress.
ing thing to draw up remonstrances in a com.
Portable room by a good hreside than to occupy
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 l pity those miseries
which It IL neither in my power to relieve nor pre-
vent"
guarantee Of half-pay for his officers after the
war. himself having no personal interest in the
measure; he had declared from the first that he
would never profit by II to the amount of a single
penny. He deprecated constantly the jealousy of
the military part Of the government BY the civil
department
IF We would pursue right system of policy -
he wrote to q member Of congress- I'm nv oniniop
there would be none Of these distinctions w.
should ALL congress and army, be considered a one
people. embarked in cause, In one interest
acting the same principle and to the same end
In 1913 Washington. in his second term as pres,.
peace and urged faithful discharge of every dntv
toward others, he recommended prompt measnres
not only for defense but for enforcing inst claim.
There is a rank due the United States anon,
other nations which will be withheld II NOT an
solutely lost, by the reputation Of weakness -
we desire to avoid insult must be able IN ROM,
1t; IL we desire to secure peace one Of the mo.t
powerful Instruments Of our prosperity II mn.t
be known that We are at al times ready for vnr :
Ae wroeo.