Evening star., 1934-03-25

Col. Dandridge was clerk OF the court; her
first husband, Daniel Parke Gusts. was kings
counselor. But Martha kept step with Col.
Washington in his changing viewpoint as it
developed into settled determination for IN
dependence from British rule.
WHEN Washington announced his inten- m
w ton of fighting British oppression. his
wife expressed herself in full accord with his
sentiments though she had more to lose by
thus jeopardilng life, liberty and property
than any other woman in America Her calm
courage in facing the dangers and uncertainties
Of their future must have been the greatest
comfort and inspiration to her husband.
Her parting words as Gen. Washington, Pat
rick Henry and Edmund Pendleton left Mount
Vernon to attend the second Continental Con-
gress at Philadelphia were: God be with you.
gentlemen; I hope you will all stand firm. I
know George will!' These spirited words must
have required to the generals mind many times
as the days rolled into weeks and the weeks
into months before conditions permitted her to
make the long journey to Cambridge to join
him at the first military headquarters of the
Revolution.
Timorous relatives and their prophecies
of calamities bound to follow Gen. WASH
ington's acceptance of appointment COM
mander in chief to lead the rebellion
against the crown were silenced by Mrs. Wash
ingtons courageous reply: 81 forsee dark days
and darker nights domestic happiness sus-
pended, with endless anxieties and worries in
cident to long separations. social enjoyments
abandoned and property of every kind put in
jeopardy by war, but what are all Of these
evils when compared with the fate of which
the Port bill may be only threat? My mind
is made up; my heart is in the cause"
From the first rumble of approaching comnat
over the stamp act and the tea parties, Martha
Washington worked tirelessly for the soldiers.
In later years she frequently said she had
heard the opening and closing guns of every
campaign and that the sound of flies ara
drums was pleasanter music than any she hac
ever heard.
Martha Washington's service to her country
was so constant so an-embracing and yet so
unassuming that her contemporaries and pos
terty have taken it and her for granted as part
of the glories and achievements of her hero
husband
Upon her arrival at Cambridge, where she
found social relations in bit of snarl, she
unpacked her handsome silver tea service gath
cred about her the wives of her husbands staff
officers, with bevies Of young girls, and started
various simple amusements. Tea served every
afternoon with the gracious lady Of the COM
mander in chief presiding. together with the
horseback riding parties, sleighing, skating and
little dances, pretty little frisks," she called
them, kept up the social amenities amid the
discomforts of bitter cold hardship and priva-
ton and stimulated the morale of the men
under arms
Extravagances in any form were frowned
upon by the commander in chief, but he heart
lily approved Of all of Mrs. WaShington'S plans
for the enjoyment of officers and men, even to
a ball.
IA /HEN the elegantly arrayed ladies of Nor
w ristown called upon Lady Washington
they were amazed to find her clad in simple
brown frock and checked apron, and busily
knitting. She graciously explained to them the
importance of women's work in the war She
told them: I'VE must become independent by
determination to do without what can
not make ourselves. Whilst our husband and
brothers are examples of patriotism, we must
be patterns Of industry" She also impressed
upon these callers The needs of the Army, the
intense uffering, and especially aid for the
sick ones for whom she had heart full OF
compassion. Although feeling rebuked and
abashed for their extravagant apparel Mrs.
Washington's winning manner and her strong
sympathy for the soldiers won their deep in
terest and their service. Her example and her
inspiration set in motion the first form of Red
Cross relief in the many sewing circles formed
In various places. Twenty-Five hundred Army
shirts were made by the Philadelphia women
under the leadership Of Benjamin Franklins
daughter, Mrs. Bache. Here, too, was set the
pace for collecting sums of money. and qlanti-