Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1932-03-18
History Shows None Like WASH
ingtoM, Thomas Jefferson
Wrote In Year 1914.

Thomas Jefferson wrote, in 1914, thai
George Washington merited everlasting
remembrance. as perfect character
and that the history of the world furnished
no like example,"
| A personal friend of Washington through
more than 80 years, Jefferson offered his
opinion of the character Of the First Presi.
dent in letter to a friend. DR.. Walter
Jones. written January 2, 1914. from his
home, Monticello.
The letter pointed out by Brig. Gen
| S. E. Tillman, u. S. A., retired, was written
which mentioned the violence and malig-
nifty of the party spirit"
1t follows. in part:
Il think knew Gen. Washington init
mately and thoroughly; and were called
on to delineate his character, it should be
in terms like these:
His mind was great and powerful, with
out being of the very first order; his
penetration strong, though not SO acute
as that of Newton. or Locke and as far
as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder.
It was slow in operation, being little aided
byinvention or imagination, but sure in con-
clusion. Hence the common remark of his
officers, of the advantages he derived from
councils of war. where, hearing suggestions.
he selected what was best; and certainly
no general ever planned his battles more
judiciously. But if deranged during the
course of action, If any member of his plan
was dislocated by sudden circumstances
he was slow in readjustment. The con-
sequence was, that he often failed in the
field and rarely against an enemy in sta
ton. as at Boston and York.
"He was incapable of fear. meeting per-
sonal dangers with the calmest unconcern.
Perhaps the strongest feature in his char
acter was prudence, never acting until every
circumstance, every consideration, was
naturely weighed RETAINING if he saw
doubt, but when once decided, Going
through with his purpose. whatever obsta-
cIes opposed.
His integrity was pure. his justice the
most inf1exible l have ever known, no
motives of interest or consanguinity, of
friendship or hatred, being able to bias his
decision.
! HE was. indeed, in every sense Of the
words, wise. good and great man.
His temper was naturally heightened; but
reflection and resolution had obtained a
firm and habitual ascendency over it. If
ever, however. it broke its bonds, he was
most tremendous in his wrath.
I'm his expenses he was honorable, but
exact liberal in his contributions to what
ever promised utility; but frowning and
unyielding on all visionary projects and all
unworthy calls on his charity. His heart
was not warm in its affections; but he
exactly calculated every mans value, and
gave him solid esteem proportional to it.
His person, you know, was fine; his
stature exactly what one would wish, his
department easy, erect and noble; the
best horseman of his age. and the most
graceful figure that could be seen on horse
back.
Although in the circle of his friends.
where he might be unreserved with safety.
he took a fair share in conversation. his
colloquial talents were not above medi-
ocrity, possessing neither copiousness OF
ideas, nor fiuency of words. In public when
called on for sudden opinion, he was
unready. short and embarrassed. Yet he
wrote readily. rather diffusely, in easy and
correct style. This he had acquired by
conversation with the world, for his edu-
cation was, merely, reading, writing and
common arithmetic. to which he added
surveying at later day.
His time was employed in action chiefly
ICdullB AlItACs anu thot OAly IA o6tASdAeNAS
and English history. His correspondence
became necessarily extensive, and with
journalizing his agricultural proceedings
occupied his leisure hours in doors.
ION the whole, his character was, in its
mass, perfect, in nothing bad. in a few
points Indifferent; and it may truly be
said, that nature and fortune combined
perfectly to make man great, and place
him in the same constellation with what
ever have merited from man everlasting
remembrance.
"For his was a singular destiny and
merit of leading the armies of his country
successfully through an arduous war, fol-
the establishment of its independence oil
conducting its councils through the birth
of Government, new in its forms and
principles, until it had settled down in
/ quiet and orderly train; and of scrupu-
lously obeyine the laws through the whole
of his career, civil and military, of which
the histories of the whole world furnishes
no other example.
These are my opinions of Gen. Wash
inetou, which would vouch at the judg-
ment seat of God, having been formed on
an acquaintance of 80 years.
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