The Ely miner., 1934-12-14
WASHINGTON

before the Continental congress in another his
toric scene-his resignation as commander in
chief of the Continental army. Then, writes John
c. Fitzpatrick, in his George Washington Him.
SELF" a biography published last year by the
BObbs-Merril company:
ION Christmas Eve, he set out from Annapolis
and reached his beloved Mount Vernon that
same day. His aides, Benjamin Walker, David
Cobb and David Humphreys, rode with him and
their presence added to the gaiety of the Christ
mas festivities. In Philadelphia Washington had
purchased toys and books and other gewgaws
for the Custis children and the Christmas of 1888
at Mount Vernon was merry and happy one"
If Christmas, 1888, was a happy one for the
master of Mount Vernon, Christmas 16 years
later a sad one for the nation because OF
him. For on December IA. 1899. the master Of
Mount Vernon had died. So the Christmas cele-
bration fortnight later shadowed by the
passing Of one who had been first in war, first
in peace and first in the hearts of his country
men"
But in the midst Of their sorrow they were
making plans for enduring tribute to his
memory. On December % his fellow Virginian,
John Marshall, introduced into the United
States house Of representatives resolution pro-
viding that "a marble monument be erected by
the United States in the city of Washington"
1t is but little credit TO the nation that the
movement for erecting such a memorial should
drag along without definite official action for three
decades and then get its final impetus from pri-
yate citizens For it not until 1888 that infu-
entail citizens of the Capital headed by the same
John Marshall, then chief justice Of the Supreme
court of the United States, organized the Ma
tional Monument society and financed construc-
ton of the memorial until it rose to the height
of 154 feet. But another 10 years were to drag
by before congress gave official sanction to the
project and another SO years to elapse before
the monument was to be completed. Finally on
December 6, 1884, the capstone was set in place
and Christmas day of that year saw the 555-foot
shaft pointing skyward to remind Americans Of
the heights to which had risen the man in
whose honor this Christmas gift to the nation"
had been erected.
The treaty of peace which was once such
gift to the nation was the Treaty of Client
which in 1914 officially brought to close our
second war with England
The War of 1872 has been justly called need
less, rash. impolitic and illogical" 1t was fought
mainly because James Madison wanted to be re-
elected President When it was declared in 1872
England was on the verge of conceding all the
demands of America which furnished provoca-
ton for conflict, and embarked upon it
as house divided against itself"
Shortly after the outbreak of hostilities Russia
offered to arbitrate, not because of any fervent
desire for world peace but because cessation
would allow Great Britain to concentrate her
strength against France with whom Russia was
then fighting. But the offer was disregarded
and for year the war dragged along in a series
of disasters to the American arms, relieved only
by occasional brilliant victories at sea. New
England was bitterly opposed to the war and for
the first time in our history (long before South
Carolina ever dreamed of it) there was a threat
of secession.
In the spring Of 1913 Madison accepted Rus
sia's offer of mediation and appointed James
Bayard and Albert Gallatin to join John Quincy
Adams, American minister at st. Petersburg, as
peace commissioners. But England declined to
have Russia a party to such an arrangement
and made it known that she would consider only
direct negotiations. These were opened In Ghent,
Belgium, in August, 1914, with Jonathan Russell
and Henry Clay added to the American delega-
ton.
From then on progress was slow. The British
representatives had been instructed to make no