Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-12-31
When Washington
Sheathed His Sword

George w Washington ildtueu pdeh W tic
Continental Congress his commission
as commander in-chief of the revolu
tionary army and returned to Mount
Vernon, simple American citizen. But
the mere statement of that fact con-
veys little of the drama that lay be- /
hind his act Only few months be-
fore he became George Washington,
private citizen, he might have become
military dictator of America, and at
the lifting of a finger He put aside the
proposal in indignation, but had George
Washington been other than the man he
was, the history of the United States
might read very differently from what
it does.
While the surrender of CORVALLIS at
Yorktown in 1871 had virtually ended
the Revolution in victory for America,
desultory fighting still went on, and
Washington wished to keep the army
up to strength. 1t was nevertheless
period Of inactivity. and the officers
and soldiers had plenty of time to
brood over their grievances at the
hands of Congress. Their pay was long
in arrears. Numbers Of the officers had
sacrificed their personal fortunes to the
cause Of their country. And now they
faced the prospect of being turned back
into private life, penniless and ignored
by country that appeared to them
ungrateful
This bitter sentiment reached ell
max while the army was stationed at
Newburgh. 1t finally took shape in an
open hint to Washington that he place
himself at the head Of this movement
! in the army to take over the govern
ment. and thus make himself dictator
: of America. So impoverished was the
country, and 50 feeble had become the
state and national governments, that
nothing could have stood in the way o.
this move, had Washington yielded lr
stead he Indignantly rebuked his Off
GERS for this threatened stain on their
patriotism, promised once more to stu
Congress to take up the matter OF pay
ment, and this he finally succeeded.
: Late in January, 1888, came new
that the preliminary peace treaty hae
. been signed in Paris. On April II
l Washington was informed that al
agreement for the suspension OF hoshi'
tiles had been signed In due TIM
thereafter came the disbanding OF tn
army. the triumphal entry OF Wash
i ington and Governor Clinton into Nev
r York City, on the heels Of the depart
ing British, and the famous farewell
n that the commander-in-chief babe hi
y faithful officers at Frances Tavern
Immediately, Washington went to Phii
aS1ai,hia. to present an account OF M
! personal expenses during the eign
years Of the war.
This business being concluded, Wash
inpton left Philadelphia for Annapoli
where Congress was then sitting. Their
:. he arrived on December 20, and aske
!. the president Of Congress as to tn
manner in which he should resign n
- commission. The Esd was named as IN
dav for this ceremony. At IL o'cloc
the MARYLAND state house, where Cor
Is press was in session, was crowded X
70 the occasion. The galleries and larf
= part Of the floor in the Hall OF Cor
:, press was filled with ladies, function
., aries Of the state and national go'
he ernments, military men, and ci'lzer
Washington entered, conducted
the secretary Of Congress, and took 2
appointed seat. After bret paus
= General Mifflin, president Of Congre'
: announced that "the United States
a. Congress- assembled" we're prepared
X receive his communication In 7
er c1Asne e his brief address, Washm
NJ 1.-THE great events on viii
* alton depended having
y ZEN place, now have
- l seffering my sincere congrat
n rn Congress, and OF present.
M fore them, to surrender ar
,et ~ the trust committed to n
% Inn the indulgence of retiri
~ service of my country
OF praise for his officers a
I1 solemn appeal for
az "a God on his country, and
~ Nv paper of the time, the Mar
g. N 4te, in describing the see
y tragedies have ever dra
hears from so many eyes
W manner in which his I
look his final leave of &c
next morning Washington
II Annapolis and reach
knon that same evening