Evening journal., 1919-02-20

r Experience OF this expedition through
j. the mountains and forests Of penLsyl-
), vania made him ut Aide de Camp to
i General Braddock, In the Inflated cam
d palgn on the Monongahela. All school
+ boys know tho story OF Washington's
e skill and gallantry IN this campaign
Il and how his knowledge OF Indian war.
8 fare enabled him 10 save whatever was
3 saved from that memorable defeat on
= his return 90 Virginia. after his SLOW
T and difllcult retreat through the wilder
) ness OF western Pennsylvania, the mill
lsry skill and personal courage which
had signalIzed Wsshington's part in
that ill-starred campaign, were recog-
nlzed by his appointment. at The early
age Of twenty-three. as Commsnder-in-
Chief OF the Virginia forces, which he
modestly accepted.
IN the performance Of the duties
OF this high and responsible position,
he was charged with the conduct OF
the defense OF The Virginia frontier
against the French and Indians, who
seriously threatened the Eastern Eng
| lish settlements. The task was q DIM
cult and trying one. and called for all
the good Judgment. patience and re-
lsourcefulness which az that early ago
lof twenty-four distinguished him.
These duties involved a Journey to New
York and Boston for consultation with
the Commander-in-Chlef OF The British
forces In America, when he is said 20
= nave much impressed the old and on
I perlenoed soldier with The good sense
5 ana sound advice given by him as TO
D tne conduct or the war against The
g French and Indians.
a t'ffxyn Nnere laNn~ .sa...,.
l. was conspicuous In The expeoition az
70 the English General Forbes against Fort
J. Duquesne, on the MononSahe'a and
Vt with the Virginia troops Commanded
J. the advance guard. 10 whom the French
N surrendered the Fort and thereby Inc
" control Of the ohio River Resignlne
J. his commission on his return TO Vir-
/ ginia, he sought rest, by retirement
n from his arduous military life. and ac-
v copied The onlce OF Representative OF
g his County In the House OF Burgesses.
J. 10 which he had Just been elected by
+ his fellow citizens. This enabled him
n in some measure 10 devote himself 10
l. those agricultural rtrsuits which were
e so congenlal 10 him and 10 which he
e had always longed to engage
It I'VE can well understand that. In
S the succeeding years, which covered
= tbs period during which the difficulties
: between the Colonies ana Great Britain
I were approaching a crisis, Wsshlngton's
Interest in public affairs was never dor
mant and that he took an active and
, leading part In the public discussions
In the Virginia Legislature and In the
protests and circumstances, which give
expression to the resentment OF the
time, AGAINST British encroachment on
the rights OF the Colonlsts. He was
NOT an orator. like Patrick Henry. bu,
the clear. calm, written statements OF
the case OF the Colonies made by Wash
inston were characteristics OF his iudic-
ial temperament and lrmness OF pur-
pose. and were. as we know. potent
In moulding the public opinion which
at last eliminated In the declaration OF
and war for Independence.
with a character thus formed and
a military and civic training so ex-
ceptional. IL was natural that he should
/ be the choice OF the Virsinis Conven-
ton as one Of the deleeates to the first
continental CONGRESS, which was called
oy the voluntary action OF the Colonies
! de, meet In September, f77i, In Phila-