Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 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; the Ell
feet of my conduct and present appearance
of things so little pleasing to myself as to render
it a matter of surprise to me if should staho
capitaly censured by congress 1nouee
thorough conviction in my mind that IL VIII .
impossible unless there is thorough change IN
our military system, for to conduct matters TO
give satisfaction to the public, which is an 'he
recompense aim at or ever wish for
This unhappy state of things was almost Wnohs
due to the feeling manifested in several secuone
of the country, persisted in to the hamperihs o
washingtons campaign and to the detrlment oi
the cause Congress finally prevailed upon ny
wasbington's representations and the taruiS
dawning consciousness that war was lneVitaole
and that being so, unpreparedness nean' "a
lamity. s,ao,+
On December 90 1776, he wrote to the president
of congress: "Short enlistments and "a mistahen
dependence upon our militia have Deen tiie U.s.
of all our misfortunes and great accumulation u
our debt 1 beg leave to give it as my
humble opinion that SS battalons are by no mes'hs
equal the opposition you are to MAKE anu ina.
not a moments time is to be lost in raising
greater number not less in my opinion ana ina.
Of nv officers than no. In my judgment
this is not time to stand upon expense; our
funds are not the only object of consideration
IT may be thought that I am going good
deal out of my line of duty to advise thus Freely
A character to loose, estate to forfeit, the IN
estsmable blessings of liberty at stake and lie
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 necessftated 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 on his au-
thority. Washington replied: Il should be I'M
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 are not suca
enviable pleasures attending my situation as to
make me too jealous of its prerogatfves. Rather
than complain of your efforts in the military
way you deserve the thanks of all, and feel
myself happy in this opportunity of returning You
mine in the greatest truth and sincerity"
At Valley Forge, where Washingtons troops
were almost naked, had few blankets and scanty
food. he was resentment against sthe
gentlemen, without knowing whether the army
really going into winter quarters not.
reprObating the measure much if they
thought the soldiers made of stocks and
stones and equally insensible of frost and snow.
and. if they conceived it easily prac-
ticable for inferior army under the disad-
vantages have described to be to confne
superior one in all respects well appointed.
within the city of Philadelphia and to cover from
depreciation and waste the states of Pennsylvania
and New Jersey. these gen.
.lemen that IT is a much easier less distress
ing thing to draw up remonstrances in a COM
Portable room by good fireside than to occupy a
cold. bleak hill and sleep under frost and snow
without clothes blankets However, although
they 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 pre-
vent"
Washington made persistent efforts get a
guarantee of halfpay 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
IF we would pursue right system of policy
he wrote to member of congress. Sin my opinion
there would be of these distinctions We
should all, congress and army, be considered one
people, embarked in cause, in one interest
acting the same principle and to the same end
In 1893 Washington in his second as pres
dent, wrote to congress that. while he sought
peace and urged faithful discharge of every duty
toward others. he recommended prompt measures
not only for defense but for enforcing just claims
There is rank due the United States among
other nations which will be withheld, if not alb
solutely lost. by the reputation of weakness Il
we desire to avoid insult must be able to repe
it; if desire to secure peace. of the mos
powerful instruments of prosperity, it mus
be known that.we are at all times ready for war.
he wrote.