The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1932-05-19
WHEN WASHINGTON REFUSED
A KINGSHIP

Few Americans know that our country
TODAY might be a monarchy but for an act OF
nobility performed by George Washington on
Nav %. 1882. The officers of the Revo-
lutionary Army had implored Washington to
assume royal power, place himself at their
head, and rule the country as king. On
Nav o. century and half ago, General
Washington refused this invitation IN patrlo-
tic terms so strong that the idea was dropped
This information comes from the United
Commission.
We know that he refused the offer OF
kingship, but the circumstances surround
ing that dramatic moment in our history,
known chiefly to scholars, need be recalled to
the everyday American, that he may form
still clearer conception of the nobility OF
Washingtons character.
This incident, which constitutes one OF
the critical moments in the destiny of Amer
lea, occurred while General Washington and
the Continental Army were encamped at
Newburgh, on the Hudson. The surrender
of CORVALLIS had virtually ended the Revo-
luton, but nominally hostilities were still In
effect, and Washington was determined to
hold the army together against any surprise
renewal of the war. AS usual his soldiers
were poorly clothed and fed, and Congress
was deeply in arrears in their pay. By then
the war had dragged on for seven long years.
The struggle had cost many of Washington's
officers the loss of their personal fortunes,
and the entire enlisted force faced a future
of want on being released to civil life.
Discomfort rose to dangerous intensity i'll
all ranks. At length, Colonel Lewis Nicola, a
respected character on friendly terms with
the Commander in Chief, spoke for the Of
ficers as body when he addressed to Wash
ington yelled proposal that he take over the
government of the country, with the army
behind him, and rule it as a king.
The late Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, in
his biography of Washington, states that on
this occasion Washington was as truly
tempted as Caesar, with an offer to make
himself king or emperor. The stroke, more
over, would have been easy of accomplish
ment The colonies were all beggared by the
war. Their governments were slack and
weak. The Revolutionary army was the one
cohesive, national power in the land To a
man the soldiers worshipped Washington,
and with their aid he could have taken over
control of the nation. AS near as that, at
this stage of Americas history, was the
country to becoming monarchy.
And yet it was great distance away. To
George Washington the temptation of king
ship was no temptation at ALL On the con-
trary he put it aside with far greater and
more sincere indignation than did Caesar
wave aside the laurel crown. In a letter
whose every word should be implanted in the
mind of every school child in America, he
declined Nicolas offer and rebuked the man
who made it. Writing on May %, 1882, he
said:
"Sir-With a mixture of great surprise
and establishment, have read with atten-
ton the sentiments you have submitted to
my perusal. Be assured, Sir, no occurrences
in the course of the war has given me more
painful sensations, than your information of
there being such ideas existing in the army,
as you have expressed, and must view with
abhorrance and reprehend with severity.
Il am at loss to conceive what part of
my conduct could have given announcement
to an address, which to me seems big with
the greatest mischiefs that can befalI INV
Country. If l am not deceived in the know
ledge of myself, you could not have found
person to whom your schemes are more dis
agreeable Let me conjure you, then, if you
nave any regard for your country, concern
Tor yourself or posterity, or respect for me.
TO Danish these thoughts from your mind.
and never communicate, as from yourself or
any one else, sentiment of the like nature"