And, as a statesman, our model of the American character is scarcely
less distinguished than he is as a victorious general. In the halls of
his country’s legislation, as in the field of battle, his deeds, and
not his words, proclaim his character. He is as far sighted upon the
platform of state, as he is amid the smoke of war; and as he looked
forward and fought for the victory that was to crown his career in the
future, so did he watch, with an eagle eye, the sun of his country’s
glory, as it ascended to its meridian, and so did legislate that
the beams and genial warmth of that sun might be shed over future
generations. He is the statesman in the nobleness and dignity which
the character should ever maintain. In his acts, which are always of
general application, and for the public good, the blustering partisan
is shamed into silence, and the tongue of the wily politician stilled.
He speaks only when he has something to say. His words are the words
of the heart, and they are full of meaning. He sees not himself, and
knows nothing of his own success, but he pleads for the land that
he has perilled his life to save. He labors with his might for his
country’s prosperity; and while he asks not office, he feels that it
is not his place to decline it when the voice of duty calls him to
the post, and while there is work for him to perform. His countrymen
witness his patriotic zeal for their prosperity, and for the prosperity
and elevation of their government, and they pass by hundreds that seek
honor in her councils, and at her head, and offer him the highest place
of honor in their gift. The people, over whom he so nobly refused
to reign as a king, ask his services as their chief magistrate,
and he consents at once. He is the statesman that is ever ready for
service――always at hand when there is labor for him to perform. And
when the hour of honor comes he is hardly to be seen. He is the
statesman that loses sight of self and of all selfish considerations,
and plans and purposes only for the welfare of the nation. See him,
when he deems that his labors for the state are accomplished, and her
honor, and peace, and prosperity secured. When there are no more toils
for him to undergo, he lays the honors of office at the feet of those
who conferred them, and from his distinguished seat, at the head of
the government, he comes down to the place of a private citizen. He
is the lofty spirit that deals in mighty works, and when there are no
more mighty works for him to do, he retires to be mighty still in the
circles of private life. He fights while there is a gun to be fired,
or a foe to be subdued, and he is the last to leave the field. And so
stands he at the helm of state. He is there till the impending danger
is passed. And he leaves not his post while there is a trial near.
While the clouds of war are curling around him, he appears unmoved,
and the smile of peace is upon his cheek to tell how little concern he
has for himself when the storm is sweeping over his country. And while
the waves of civil commotion are dashing at his feet, his form is seen
standing firm amid the threatening peril, and his hand is outstretched
for the calming of the troubled waters. And when all is tranquil, and
the country safe, we find our patriot among the quiet shades of Mount
Vernon. As a statesman, as well as a victorious warrior, we see the
sunlight of a glorious fame encircling the brow of Washington. The
deeds that exhibit the model Washington, as a patriotic soldier and
statesman, are unparalleled in history. And as in his social virtues,
and in his patriotic character, so stands out, in bold relief,