a farmer's house. One morning he rode out very early to visit the
soldiers. The farmer went into the fields soon after, and as he was
passing a brook where a great many bushes were growing, he heard a deep
voice from the thicket. He looked through the leaves, and saw Washington
on his knees, on the ground, praying to God for his soldiers. He had
fastened his horse to a tree, and come away by himself to ask God to
help them.
At last the war came to an end; the English were beaten, and our armies
sent up praise and thanks to God.
Then the soldiers went quietly back to their homes, and Washington bade
all his officers good-by, and thanked them for their help and their
courage.
The little room in New York where he said farewell is kept to show to
visitors now, and you can see it some day yourselves.
Then Washington went home to Mount Vernon to rest; but before he had
been there long, the people found out that they must have someone to
help take care of them, as they had nothing to do with the king of
England any more; and they asked Washington to come and be the first
President of the United States.
So he did as they wished, and was as wise and good, and as careful and
fine a President as he had been surveyor, soldier, and general.
You know we always call Washington the Father of his Country, because he
did so much for us, and helped to make the United States so great.
After he died, there were parks and mountains and villages and towns and
cities named for him all over the land, because people loved him so, and
prized so highly what he had done for them.
In the city of Washington there is a building where you can see many of
the things that belonged to the first President, when he was alive.
There is his soldier's coat, his sword, and in an old camp chest are
the plates and knives and forks that he used in the Revolution.
There is a tall, splendid monument of shining gray stone in that city,
that towers far, far, above all the highest roofs and spires. It was
built in memory of George Washington by the people of the United States,
to show that they loved and would always remember the Father of his
Country.
FOOTNOTES:
[25] From "The Story Hour" by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith.
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., publishers.
* * * * *
HEADQUARTERS IN 1776[26]
BY PAUL LEICESTER FORD
On September 15, a group of horsemen, occupying a slight eminence of
ground on the island of Manhattan, were gazing eastward. Below and
nearer the water were spread lines of soldiers behind intrenchments,
while from three men-of-war lying in the river came a heavy cannonade
that swept the shore line and spread over the water a pall of smoke
which, as it drifted to leeward, obscured the Long Island shore from
view.
"'Tis evidently a feint, your Excellency," presently asserted one of the
observers, "to cover a genuine attack elsewhere--most likely above the
Haarlem."
The person addressed--a man with an anxious, care-worn face that made
him look fifty at least--lowered his glass, but did not reply for some
moments. "You may be right, sir," he remarked, "though to me it has the
air of an intended attack. What think you, Reed?"
"I agree with Mifflin. The attack will be higher up. Hah! Look there!"
A rift had come in the smoke, and a column of boats, moving with
well-timed oars, could for a moment be seen as it came forward.
"They intend a landing at Kip's Bay, as I surmised," exclaimed the
general. "Gentlemen, we shall be needed below." He turned to Reed and
gave him an order concerning reinforcements, then wheeled, and, followed
by the rest, trotted over the plowed field. Once on the highway, he
spurred his horse, putting him to a sharp canter.
"What troops hold the works on the bay, Mifflin?" asked one of the
riders.
"Fellows' and Parsons' brigades, Brereton."
"If they are as good at fighting as at thieving, they'll distinguish
themselves."
"Ay," laughed Mifflin. "If the red coats were but chickens or cattle,
the New England militia would have had them all captured ere now."
"They'll be heard from to-day," said a third officer. "They've
earthworks to git behind, and they'll give the British anuther Bunker
Hill."
"Then you ought to be quick, General Putnam," said Brereton, "for that's
the fighting you like."
The road lay in the hollow of the land, and not till the party reached a
slight rise were they able once more to get a glimpse of the shores of
the bay. Then it was to find the flotilla well in toward its intended
landing-place, and the American troops retreating in great disorder from
their breastworks.
Exclamations of surprise and dismay sprang from the lips of the riders,
and their leader, turning his horse, jumped the fence and galloped
across the fields to intercept the fugitives. Five minutes brought them
up to the runaways, who, out of breath with the sharpness of their race,
had come to a halt, and were being formed by their officers into a
little less disorder.
"General Fellows, what was the reason for this shameful retreat?"
demanded the general, when within speaking distance.
"The men were seized with a panic on the approach of the boats, your
Excellency, and could not be held in the lines."
Washington faced the regiments, his face blazing with scorn. "You ran
before a shot had been fired! Before you lost a man, you deserted works
that have taken weeks to build, and which could be held against any such
force." He paused for a moment, and then, drawing his sword, called with
spirit: "Who's for recovering them?"
A faint cheer passed down the lines; but almost as it sounded, the red
coats of fifty or sixty light infantry came into view on the road, a
skirmishing party thrown forward from the landing to reconnoiter. Had
they been Howe's whole army, however, they could not have proved more
effective, for instantly the two brigades broke and dissolved once more
into squads of flying men.
At such cowardice, Washington lost all control of himself, and, dashing
in among the fugitives, he passionately struck right and left with the
flat of his sword, thundering curses at them; while Putnam and Mifflin,
as well as the aides, followed his example. It was hopeless, however, to
stay the rush; the men took the blows and the curses unheeding, while
throwing away their guns and scattering in every direction.
Made frantic by such conduct, Washington wheeled his horse. "Charge!" he
cried, and rode toward the enemy, waving his sword.
If the commander-in-chief had hoped to put some of his own courage into
the troops by his example, he failed. Not a man of the runaways ceased
fleeing. None the less, as if regardless of consequences in his
desperation, Washington rode on, until one of the aides dashed his spurs
into his horse and came up beside his general at a mad gallop.
"Your Excellency!" he cried, "'tis but hopeless, and will but end in--"
Then, as his superior did not heed him, he seized the left rein of his
horse's bridle, and, pulling on it, swung him about in a large circle,
letting go his hold only when they were riding away from the enemy.
Washington offered no resistance, and rode the hundred yards to where
the rest of his staff were standing, with bowed head. Nothing was said
as he rejoined the group, and Blueskin, disappointed in the charge for
which he had shown as much eagerness as his rider, let his mind recur to
thoughts of oats; finding no control in the hand that held his bridle,
he set out at an easy trot toward headquarters.
They had not ridden many yards ere Washington lifted his head, the
expression of hopelessness, which had taken the place of that of
animation, in turn succeeded by one of stern repose. He issued three
orders to as many of the riders, showing that his mind had not been
dwelling idly on the disaster, slipped his sword into its scabbard, and
gathered up his reins again.
"There!" thought Blueskin, as a new direction was indicated by his bit,
"I'm going to have another spell of it riding all ways of a Sunday, just
as we did last night. And it's coming on to rain."
Rain it did very quickly; but from post to post the horsemen passed, the
sternly silent commander speaking only when giving the necessary orders
to remedy so far as possible the disaster of the afternoon. Not till
eleven, and then in a thoroughly drenched condition, did they reach the
Morris House on Haarlem Heights. It was to no rest, however, that the
general arrived; for, as he dismounted, Major Gibbs of his life guards
informed him that the council of war he had called was gathered, and
only awaited his attendance.
"Get you some supper, gentlemen," he ordered, to such of his aides as
were still of the party, "for 'tis likely that you will have more riding
when the council have deliberated."
"'Tis advice he might take himself to proper advantage," said one of
the juniors, while they were stripping off their wet coverings in a side
room.
"Ay," asserted Brereton. "The general uses us hard, Tilghman, but he
uses himself harder." Then aloud he called, "Billy!"
"Yis, sah!"
"Make a glass of rum punch and take it in to his Excellency."
"Foh de Lord, sah, I doan dar go in, an' yar know marse neber drink no
spirits till de day's work dun."
"Make a dish of tea, then, you old coward, and I'll take it to him so
soon as I get these slops off me. 'Fore George! How small-clothes stick
when they're wet!"
The make-shift meal was still unfinished when the general's body-servant
appeared with the tea. Taking it, Brereton marched boldly to the council
door, and, giving a knock, he went in without awaiting a reply.
The group of anxious-faced men about the table looked up, and
Washington, with a frown, demanded, "For what do you interrupt us, sir?"
The young officer put the tea down on the map lying in front of the
general. "Billy didn't dare take this to your Excellency, so I made bold
to e'en bring it myself."
"This is no time for tea, Colonel Brereton."
"'Tis no time for the army to lose their general," replied the aide. "I
pray you drink it, sir, for our sake, if you won't for your own."
A kindly look supplanted the sternness of the previous moment on the
general's face. "I thank you for your thoughtfulness, Brereton," he
said, raising the cup and pouring some of the steaming drink into the
saucer.
FOOTNOTES:
[26] From "Janice Meredith." Dodd, Mead & Co.
X
SELECTIONS FROM WASHINGTON'S SPEECHES AND WRITINGS
SELECTIONS FROM THE RULES OF CIVILITY
[Copied by Washington at the age of fourteen from an old
translation of a French book of 1595. "Washington was entirely
aware," writes Owen Wister, "of the great influence for good
exerted upon his own character by the Rules of Civility. It is a
misfortune for all American boys in all our schools to-day, that
they should be told the untrue and foolish story of the hatchet and
the cherry tree, and denied the immense benefit of instruction from
George Washington's authentic copy-book."]
Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your
enemy.
When you see a crime punished you may be inwardly pleased; but always
show pity to the suffering offender.
Superfluous compliments and all affectation of ceremony are to be
avoided, yet, where due, they are not to be neglected.
Do not express joy before one sick or in pain, for that contrary passion
will aggravate his misery.
When a man does all he can, though it succeed not well, blame not him
that did it.
Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.
In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommodate Nature, rather
than to procure admiration; keep to the fashion of your equals.
Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own
reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.
Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor in earnest; scoff at none,
although they give occasion.
Gaze not at the marks or blemishes of others, and ask not how they came.
What you may speak in secret to your friend, deliver not before others.
Nothing but harmony, honest industry, and frugality are necessary to
make us a great people. First impressions are generally the most
lasting. It is therefore absolutely necessary, if you mean to make any
figure upon the stage, that you should take the first steps right.
There is a destiny which has the control of our actions not to be
resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature.
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distresses of everyone, and
let your hand give in proportion to your purse; remembering always the
widow's mite, but that it is not everyone who asketh that deserveth
charity; all, however, are worthy the inquiry, or the deserving may
suffer.
I consider storms and victory under the direction of a wise Providence
who no doubt directs them for the best purposes, and to bring round the
greatest degree of happiness to the greatest number.
Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person's mind, than
on the externals in the world.
The thinking part of mankind do not form their judgments from events,
and that chief equity will ever attach equal glory to those actions
which deserve success, as to those which have been crowned with it.
To see plants rise from the earth and flourish by the superior skill and
bounty of the laborer, fills a contemplative mind with ideas which are
more easy to be conceived than expressed.
To constitute a dispute there must be two parties. To understand it
well, both parties and all the circumstances must be fully heard; and to
accommodate differences, temper and mutual forbearance are requisite.
Idleness is disreputable under any circumstances; productive of no good,
even when unaccompanied by vicious habits.
It is not uncommon in prosperous gales to forget that adverse winds
blow.
Economy in all things is as commendable in the manager, as it is
beneficial and desirable to the employer.
It is unfortunate when men cannot or will not see danger at a distance;
or seeing it, are undetermined in the means which are necessary to avert
or keep it afar off.
Every man who is in the vigor of life ought to serve his country in
whatever line it requires, and he is fit for.
Rise early, that by habit it may become familiar, agreeable, healthy,
and profitable. It may, for a while, be irksome to do this, but that
will wear off; and the practice will produce a rich harvest forever
thereafter, whether in public or in private walks of life.
* * * * *
SAID BY WASHINGTON
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving
peace.
* * * * *
There is a rank due to the United States among nations which will be
withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness.
* * * * *
The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that
disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has
ordained.
* * * * *
The very idea of the power and right of the people to establish
government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the
established government.
* * * * *
If there was the same propensity in mankind for investigating the
motives, as there is for censuring the conduct, of public characters, it
would be found that the censure so freely bestowed is oftentimes
unmerited and uncharitable.
* * * * *
Where is the man to be found who wishes to remain indebted for the
defense of his own person and property to the exertions, the bravery,
and the blood of others, without making one generous effort to repay the
debt of honor and gratitude?
There is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in
the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue
and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of
an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public
prosperity and felicity.
* * * * *
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence the jealousy of a free
people ought to be constantly awake.
* * * * *
It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any
portion of the foreign world.
* * * * *
The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is to have
with them as little political connection as possible.
* * * * *
There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real
favors from nation to nation.
* * * * *
Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe,
entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition,
rivalship, interest, humor? or caprice?
* * * * *
The name American must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.
* * * * *
To the efficacy and permanency of your union a government for the whole
is indispensable.
Every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest
should be indignantly frowned upon.
* * * * *
Let us impart all the blessings we possess, or ask for ourselves, to the
whole family of mankind.
* * * * *
Let us erect a standard to which the wise and honest may repair.
* * * * *
'Tis substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of
popular government.
* * * * *
It is incumbent upon every person of every description to contribute to
his country's welfare.
* * * * *
It would be repugnant to the vital principles of our government
virtually to exclude from public trusts, talents and virtue, unless
accompanied by wealth.
* * * * *
Give such encouragements to our own navigation as will render our
commerce less dependent on foreign bottoms.
* * * * *
I have never made an appointment from a desire to serve a friend or
relative.
* * * * *
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire,
conscience.
* * * * *
WASHINGTON BEFORE THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND, AUGUST, 1776
The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether
Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any
property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to
be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of
wretchedness from which no human effort will deliver them. The fate of
unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct
of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice
of a brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have,
therefore, to resolve to conquer or to die.
Our own, our country's honor, calls upon us for a vigorous and manly
exertion; and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the
whole world. Let us, then, rely on the goodness of our cause and the aid
of the Supreme Being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and
encourage us to great and noble actions. The eyes of all our countrymen
are now upon us; and we shall have their blessings and praises if,
happily, we are the instruments of saving them from the tyranny
meditated against them. Let us, therefore, animate and encourage each
other, and show the whole world that a freeman contending for liberty on
his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.
Liberty, property, life, and honor are all at stake. Upon your courage
and conduct rest the hopes of our bleeding and insulted country. Our
wives, children, and parents expect safety from us only; and they have
every reason to believe that Heaven will crown with success so just a
cause. The enemy will endeavor to intimidate by show and appearance; but
remember they have been repulsed on various occasions by a few brave
Americans. Their cause is bad,--their men are conscious of it; and, if
opposed with firmness and coolness on their first onset, with our
advantage of works and knowledge of the ground, the victory is most
assuredly ours. Every good soldier will be silent and attentive, wait
for orders, and reserve his fire until he is sure of doing execution.
* * * * *
FROM VARIOUS LETTERS, SPEECHES, AND ADDRESSES
_To the Captains of Several Independent Companies in Virginia.
Philadelphia, June, 1775_
"Gentlemen,
"I am now about to bid adieu to the companies under your respective
commands, at least for a time. I have launched into a wide and extensive
field, too boundless for my abilities, and far, very far, beyond my
experience. I am called by the unanimous voice of the Colonies to the
command of the Continental army; an honor I did not aspire to, an honor
I was solicitous to avoid, upon a full conviction of my inadequacy to
the importance of the service. I have only to beg of you, therefore,
before I go, by no means to relax in the discipline of your respective
companies.
"I cannot doubt but the asserters of freedom and the right of the
Constitution are possessed of your most favorable regards and wishes for
success. As descendants of freedom, and heirs with us of the same
glorious inheritance, we flatter ourselves that, though divided by our
situation, we are firmly united in sentiment. The cause of virtue and
liberty is confined to no continent or climate. It comprehends within
its capacious limits the wise and good, however dispersed and separated
in space and distance."
_To the Inhabitants of the Island of Bermuda_
"While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious
not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that
God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to Him only they are
answerable."
_To Colonel Benedict Arnold, 1775_
"The man who means to commit no wrong will never be guilty of
enormities; consequently he can never be unwilling to learn what is
ascribed to him as foibles. If they are really such, the knowledge of
them in a well-disposed mind will go half way towards a reform. If they
are not errors he can explain and justify the motives of his actions."
_To Patrick Henry, Valley Forge, 27th March, 1778_
"I have ever been happy in supposing that I had a place in your esteem,
and the proof you have afforded makes me peculiarly so. The favorable
light in which you hold me is truly flattering; but I should feel much
regret, if I thought the happiness of America so intimately connected
with my personal welfare as you so obligingly seem to consider it. All I
can say is, that she has ever had, and I trust she ever will have, my
honest exertions to promote her interest. I cannot hope that my services
have been the best; but my heart tells me they have been the best that I
could render.
"However it may be the practice of the world and those who see objects
but partially or through a false medium, to consider _that_ only as
meritorious which is attended with success, I have accustomed myself to
judge human actions very differently, and to appreciate them by the
manner in which they are conducted more than by the event; which it is
not in the power of human foresight and prudence to command.
"My political creed is, to be wise in the choice of delegates, support
them like gentlemen while they are our representatives, give them
complete powers for all federal purposes, support them in the due
exercise thereof, and lastly, to compel them to close attendance in
Congress during their delegation.
"We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from
past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought
experience. To enveigh against things that are past and irremediable is
unpleasing; but to steer clear of the shelves and rocks we have struck
upon is the part of wisdom, equally as incumbent on political as other
men who have their own little bark or that of others to navigate through
the intricate paths of life, or the trackless ocean, to the haven of
security or rest."
_Extracts from a Circular Letter Addressed to the Governors of All the
States on Disbanding the Army, Newburgh, 8 June, 1783_
"Sir:--The great object for which I had the honor to hold an appointment
in the service of my country, being accomplished, I am now preparing to
resign it into the hands of Congress, and to return to that domestic
retirement which it is well known I left with the greatest reluctance; a
retirement for which I have never ceased to sigh, through a long and
painful absence, and in which I meditate to pass the remainder of life,
in a state of undisturbed repose. But before I carry this resolution
into effect, I think it a duty incumbent on me to make this, my last
official communication; to congratulate you on the glorious events which
Heaven has been pleased to produce in our favor; to offer my sentiments
respecting some important subjects which appear to me to be intimately
connected with the tranquillity of the United States, to take my leave
of your excellency as a public character, and to give my final blessing
to that country in whose service I have spent the prime of my life, for
whose sake I have consumed so many anxious days and watchful nights, and
whose happiness, being so extremely dear to me, will always constitute
no inconsiderable part of my own."
From the same circular letter: