The Denver Jewish news., 1924-03-06

unreasonably, cause us 10 slip ant
founder into the abyss of jingo-pa
triotism.
II Is said by some that Washington
was cruel. visiting untold suffering up
on his soldiers for the slightest in
fringemcnt of disciplinary rules. But
| when we consider that company aftei
company were deserting the American
ranks because of the hack of food and
clothing; when we find that the Con-
tinental Congress working under the
loosely CONSTRUCTED Articles OF Confed'
Grafton was unable to furnish the neces'
sary supplies; when we see how the
American forces were almost totally
surrounded by Tories, who royalty fed
and pampered the British military and
looked down upon their revolutionary
neghbOrs as "rabid rebels; when we
consider that defeat after defeat be-
fell the American forces-we cannot
appoint ourselves Judges of Washing
toms methods, but must simply and
faithfully say: the end justified the
means.
But Washington displayed to the
world remarkable staunchness of pnr-
pose and steadfastness of character.
While thru dispatches TO Congress he
complained of the Army's plight. while
thru letters to his relatives nnd inti-
mate friends he complained of the in
r.. 4. Woul-
ington was greatest in the hour of nd
versity. When defeat stared him In
the face, when the cause seemed hope
less. when almost insurmountable OBJ
stacles lOomed mp in his path, WISH
ingtOn became the more determined,
and his purpose firmer.
At length the bird of peace made its
appearance. CORVALLIS surrendered
at Yorkton, the British were defeated,
the war was Mt an end. The enthrall-
ing notes of peace pealed forth from
the liberty bells everywhere; lib
Grated people rejoiced.
His task finished, Washington again
returned to his home on the Potomac.
this time impoverished for he had spent
his personal fortune for freedoms
cause: and. it is said, Washington was
compelled to borrow money to settle
some of his most pressing debts.
Washington now devoted his time to
politics and became n member of the
Colonial Legislature of Virginia. But,
tho freedom was Obtained at such n
bloody sacrifice disorder still prevail
ed The colOnists We're dissatisfied
with the government under the Articles
of COnfcderntion-for, verify it was n
government without sufficient powers !;
government with its hands tied.
When things became almost unbear-
able, came the call for II Constitution
al Convention fOf the purpose OF draft
ing new constitution. And who
should be elected president Of that
Convention, but Washington, the man
who was first in war. first in peace,
first in the heart of his countrymen."
This object accomplished, who should
he called upon to assume the burdens
OF the first chief executive but Wash
inGton. On April 80, 17S9. on the bal
cony of the old Federal Hall, at New
York, Washington took his oath as the
first President of the newly-created
United States of America. A new ma
tion was born; a new nation rejoiced.
While in that office, thru speeches
and writings, Washington eXpounded
the theory which was the basi prin-
ciple of Federal supremacy. 'The
very idcn," he said. 'of the right and
power of n people to establish gov
ernment, presupposes of every individ-
ual to obey the established govern
ment."
1t wns this principle that divided the
American political world into two
camps: Federalists and Anti-Federal-
lists. 1t was this principle that cast
n stupendous burden upon Washington,
Hamilton and others in the formative
period of our Union. 1T was this prin-
ciple that brought occasioned the bril-
liant decisions of John Marshall in the
Supreme. Court. 1t was this principle
that required bloody Civil War solid
ify, crystalline and perpetuate it,
For two terms Washington served as
President of the United States. The
third term being offered him and re-
fused, Washington went back to his
home on the Potomac. this time in
tending to spend the rest of his days
free from worldly cares.
But his task was done. Providence
had preserved him for super-human
duty His mission fulfilled. he was
destined soon to leave this earthly life