New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-10

would have found difficult 20 deny.
On the other hand. Washington per-
ceived both the military and the DO
litical opportunity presented 20 him
in the disposition OF the onemy's
forces. There. was a desperate chance
70 win a telling victory, which would
convert the New Jersey campaign into
a disaster for the enemy; and there
was also the possibility OF winning a
political victory By demonstrating the
capacity Of American leadership and
American soldiers 20 outwit and out
fight veterans OF European battle
fields.
Washington Rallies Country
Washington. who was at once sol
der. politician and statesman, recog-
nized all these possibilities. He seized
the opportunity. he turned IL COM
pletely to his own advantage, and
thereby inspired his army and the
country behind him with new conf
dence in themselves, Years after
ward. Lord CORVALLIS and the mem
bcrs Of his staff were given dinner
by General Washington, following the
surrender at Yorktown. The comph-
ments OF the occasion we're exchanged
IN manner so gracious and amiable
that. as we read Of II now, 10 ~
difficult 10 realize all their signifi-
canoe. Among the rest, Lord Corn
wallis made a speech in which ne
paid his compliments 20 the military
genius OF Washington. Comparing
the Yorktown campaign with the rem
princeton operation, he declared.
turning to General Washington and
bowling profoundly, that when history
shall have made up its verdict the
fairest laurels will be gathered Tor
YOUR excellency. not from the shores OF
the Chesapeake. but from the banks
OF the Delaware CORVALLIS regard
ed the Trenton-P Princeton campaign as
the GROWING glory Of the Washington
military career; and we do not need 70
be reminded Of the verdict OF FREEZER
lex the Great, who ranked the Iren-
n-Princeton campaign as the most
brilliant Of which he had knowledge.
when we view the course Of human
affairs from the detached standpoint
Of historys student we are amazed 70
discover how seldom particular mil
itarv operation has determined the re-
suits Of a campaign or the outcome OF
great war. Wars are writ very big IN
history; very much bigger sometimes
than they deserve 10 be. Battles nave
seldom decided the fates OF people.
The real story Of human progress IS
written elsewhere than on the world
battlefelds. and war and eonhiets
have provided rather its punctuation
than It's theme. But among the ex-
ceptions, among the cases IN whleh
particular conflict has had eohse-
ouences and reverberations Tar gIeatsr
in their potency than could possibly
be imagined from consideration OF
the numbers engaged or the immealAte
results, none stands out more oistlnct
lv than does the Trenton-Princeton
campaign. We cannot say that w
cause OF independence and union would
have been lost without II. but We must
find ourselves 1T loss II we attempt
70 picture the successful conclusion OF
the revolution had there been anotnet
and different issue from the struggle
Of those hard, midwinter days.
Climax on Field OF Princeton
"The climax Of that desperate adj
venture came on the field OF Princeton.
Trenton had been an almost compete
sunrise. an easy victory. Princeton
was q desperately cohtcotsu
ment whose immediate result ineiuoeo
not only an enheartening OF the pa
triot cause, but profound discourage
rnent 20 those on the other SIDE OF tne
Atlantic who were responsible for the
continuation Of the war
$50 you have erected here at Prince
ton a fitting memorial 70 the heroes
and beroisn of that day. We bring
and Law at its foot the laurel wreatns
which gratitude ard patriotic senu-