elements which had hitherto been separated, without holding them
together by violence, and, while leaving them free, to induce
them to act in concert under the guidance of one and the same
power. The feelings of individuals no less than public
institutions, passions as well as laws, were opposed to this
result. The colonies wanted confidence in each other. All of them
were jealous of the power of Congress, the new and untried rival
of the local assemblies; they were still more jealous of the
army, which they regarded as being, at the same time, dangerous
to the independence of the States and to the liberty of the
citizens. Upon this point, new and enlightened opinions were in
unison with popular feeling. The danger of standing armies, and
the necessity, in free countries, of perpetually resisting and
diminishing their power, their influence, and the contagion of
their morals, was one of the favorite maxims of the eighteenth
century.
{48}
Nowhere, perhaps, was this maxim more generally or more warmly
received than in the colonies of America. In the bosom of the
national party, those who were the most ardent, the most firmly
resolved to carry on the contest with vigor and to the end, were
also the most sensitive friends of civil liberty; that is to say,
these were the men, who looked upon the army, a military spirit,
military discipline, with the most hostile and suspicious eye.
Thus it happened, that obstacles were met with precisely in that
quarter in which it was natural to look for, and to expect to
find, the means of success.
And in this army itself, the object of so much distrust, there
prevailed the most independent and democratic spirit. All orders
were submitted to discussion. Each company claimed the privilege
of acting on its own account and for its own convenience. The
troops of the different States were unwilling to obey any other
than their own generals; and the soldiers, any other than
officers, sometimes directly chosen, and always at least
approved, by themselves.
{49}
And the day after a defeat which it was necessary to retrieve, or
a victory which was to be followed up, whole regiments would
break up and go home, it being impossible to prevail upon them to
wait even a few days for the arrival of their successors.
A painful doubt, mingled with apprehension, arises in the mind at
the contemplation of the many and severe sufferings with which
the course of the most just revolution is attended, and of the
many and perilous chances to which a revolution, the best
prepared for success, is exposed. But this doubt is rash and
unjust. Man, through pride, is blind in his confident
expectation, and, through weakness, is no less blind in his
despair. The most just and successful revolution brings into
light the evil, physical and moral, always great, which lies
hidden in every human society. But the good does not perish in
this trial, nor in the unholy connexion which it is thus led to
form; however imperfect and alloyed, it preserves its power as
well as its rights; if it be the leading principle in men, it
prevails, sooner or later, in events also, and instruments are
never wanting to accomplish its victory.
{50}
Let the people of the United States for ever hold in respectful
and grateful remembrance, the leading men of that generation
which achieved their independence, and founded their government!
Franklin, Adams, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, Jay, Henry Mason,
Greene, Knox, Morris, Pinckney, Clinton, Trumbull, Rutledge; it
would be impossible to enumerate them all; for, at the time the
contest began, there were in each colony, and in almost every
county in each colony, some men already honored by their fellow
citizens, already well known in the defence of public liberty,
influential by their property, talent, or character; faithful to
ancient virtues, yet friendly to modern improvement; sensible to
the splendid advantages of civilization, and yet attached to
simplicity of manners; high-toned in their feelings, but of
modest minds, at the same time ambitious and prudent in their
patriotic impulses; men of rare endowments, who expected much
from humanity, without presuming too much upon themselves, and
who risked for their country far more than they could receive
from her, even after her triumph.
{51}
It was to these men, aided by God and seconded by the people,
that the success of the cause was due. Among them, Washington was
the chief.
While yet young, indeed very young, he had become an object of
great expectation. Employed as an officer of militia in some
expeditions to the western frontier of Virginia against the
French and Indians, he had made an equal impression on his
superiors and his companions, the English governors and the
American people. The former wrote to London to recommend him to
the favor of the King. [Footnote 20] The latter, assembled in
their churches, to invoke the blessing of God upon their arms,
listened with enthusiasm to an eloquent preacher, Samuel Davies,
who, in praising the courage of the Virginians, exclaimed, "As a
remarkable instance of this, I many point out to the public that
heroic youth, Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope
Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some
important service to his country." [Footnote 21]
[Footnote 20: Washington's Writings, Vol. II. p. 97.]
[Footnote 21: August 17th, 1755. Washington's Writings.
Vol. II. p. 89.]
{52}
It is also related, that fifteen years afterwards, in a journey
which Washington made to the West, when on the banks of the Ohio,
an old Indian at the head of his tribe requested to see him, and
told him that, at the battle of Monongahela, he had several times
discharged his rifle at him, and directed his warriors to do the
same; but, to their great surprise, their balls had no effect.
Convinced that Washington was under the protection of the Great
Spirit, he had ceased to fire at him, and had now come to pay his
respects to a man who, by the peculiar favor of Heaven, could
never die in battle.
Men are fond of thinking that Providence has permitted them to
penetrate its secret purposes. The anecdote of the old chief
became current in America, and formed the subject of a drama,
called _The Indian Prophecy_. [Footnote 22]
[Footnote 22: Washington's Writings, Vol. II. p. 475.]
{53}
Never, perhaps, was this vague expectation, this premature
confidence in the destiny, I hardly venture to say the
predestination, of any individual more natural, than in the case
of Washington; for there never was a man who appeared to be, and
who really was, from his youth, and in his early actions, more
consistent with his future career, and more adapted to the cause,
upon which he was destined to bestow success.
He was a planter by inheritance and inclination, and devoted to
those agricultural interests, habits, and modes of life, which
constituted the chief strength of American society. Fifty years
later, Jefferson, in order to justify his confidence in the
purely democratic organization of this society, said, "It cannot
deceive us as long as we remain virtuous, and I think we shall,
as long as agriculture is our principal object." [Footnote 23]
[Footnote 23: _Edinburgh Review_, July, 1830, p. 498.]
From the age of twenty years, Washington considered agriculture
as his principal employment, making himself well acquainted with
the prevalent tone of feeling, and sympathizing with the virtuous
and simple habits of his country.
{54}
Traveling, field-sports, the survey of distant tracts of land,
intercourse, friendly or hostile, with the Indians on the
frontier, these formed the amusements of his youth. He was of
that bold and hardy temperament, which takes pleasure in those
adventures and perils, which, in a vast and wild country, man has
to encounter. He had that strength of body, perseverance, and
presence of mind, which insure success.
In this respect, at his entrance into life, he felt a slightly
presumptuous degree of self-confidence. He writes to Governor
Dinwiddie; "For my own part I can answer, that I have a
constitution hardy enough to encounter and undergo the most
severe trials, and, I flatter myself, resolution to face what any
man dares." [Footnote 24]
[Footnote 24: Washington's Writings, Vol. II. p. 29.]
To a spirit like this, war was a more congenial employment than
field-sports or traveling. As soon as an opportunity offered, he
embraced the employment with that ardor, which, in the early
period of life, does not reveal a man's capacity so certainly as
his taste.
{55}
In 1754, it is said, when George the Second was hearing a
despatch read, which had been transmitted by the Governor of
Virginia, and in which Washington, than a young major, ended the
narrative of his first battle with the words, "I heard the
bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in
the sound;" the King observed, "He would not say so, if he had
been used to hear many." Washington was of the King's opinion;
for, when the major of the Virginia militia had become the
Commander-in-chief of the United States, some one having asked
him if it were true, that he had ever expressed such a sentiment,
he replied, "If I said so, it was when I was young." [Footnote
25]
[Footnote 25: Washington's Writings, Vol. II. p. 39.]
But his youthful ardor, which was at the same time serious and
calm, had the authority which belongs to a riper age. From the
first moment in which he embraced the military profession, he
took pleasure, far more than in the excitement of battle, in that
noble exercise of the understanding and the will, armed with
power in order to accomplish a worthy purpose, that powerful
combination of human action and good fortune, which kindles and
inspires the most elevated as well as the most simple minds.
{56}
Born in the first rank of colonial society, trained in the public
schools in the midst of his countrymen, he took his place
naturally at their head; for he was at once their superior and
their equal; formed to the same habits, skilled in the same
exercises; a stranger, like them, to all elegant learning,
without any pretensions to scientific knowledge, claiming nothing
for himself, and exerting only in the public service that
ascendency, which always attends a judicious and penetrating
understanding, and a calm and energetic character, in a
disinterested position.
In 1754, he was just appearing in society, and entering upon his
military career. It is a young officer of two-and-twenty, who
commands battalions of militia, and corresponds with the
representative of the king of England. In neither of these
relations does he feel any embarrassment. He loves his
associates; he respects the king and the governor; but neither
affection nor respect alters the independence of his judgment or
of his conduct.
{57}
By an admirable, instinctive power of action and command, he sees
and apprehends, by what means and upon what terms success is to
be obtained in the enterprise he has undertaken on behalf of his
king and his country. And these terms he imposes, these means he
insists upon; from the soldiers he exacts all that can be
accomplished by discipline, promptness, and activity in the
service; from the governor, that he shall discharge his duty in
respect to the pay of the soldiers, the furnishing of supplies,
and the choice of officers. In every case, whether his words or
opinions are sent up to the superior to whom he is rendering his
account, or pass down to the subordinates under his command, they
are equally precise, practical, and decided, equally marked by
that authority which truth and necessity bestow upon the man who
appears in their name. From this moment, Washington is the
leading American of his time, the faithful and conspicuous
representative of his country, the man who will best understand
and best serve her, whether he be called upon to fight or
negotiate for her, to defend or to govern her.
{58}
It is not the issue alone which has revealed this. His
contemporaries foresaw it. Colonel Fairfax, his first patron,
wrote to him, in 1756, "Your good health and fortune are the
toast at every table." [Footnote 26] In 1759, chosen, for the
first time, to the House of Burgesses in Virginia, at the moment
when he was taking his seat in the House, the Speaker, Mr.
Robinson, presented to him, in warm and animated terms, the
thanks of the House for the services which he had rendered to his
country. Washington rose to make his acknowledgments for so
distinguished an honor; but such was his embarrassment, that he
could not speak a single word; he blushed, hesitated, and
trembled. The Speaker at once came to his aid, and said, "Sit
down, Mr. Washington; your modesty equals your valor, and that
surpasses the power of any language that I possess." [Footnote
27]
[Footnote 26: Washington's Writings, Vol. II. p. 145.]
[Footnote 27: Spark's _Life of Washington_,
Vol. I. p. 107.]
{59}
Finally, in 1774, on the eve of the great struggle, after the
separation of the first Congress held for the purpose of making
preparations to meet it, Patrick Henry replied to those that
inquired of him, who was the first man in Congress, "If you speak
of eloquence, Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, is the greatest
orator; but, if you speak of solid information and sound
judgment, Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest man
on that floor." [Footnote 28]
[Footnote 28: Spark's _Life of Washington_,
Vol. I., p. 107.]
However, to say nothing of eloquence, Washington had not those
brilliant and extraordinary qualities, which strike the
imagination of men at the first glance. He did not belong to the
class of men of vivid genius, who pant for an opportunity of
display, are impelled by great thoughts or great passions, and
diffuse around them the wealth of their own natures, before any
outward occasion or necessity calls for its employment. Free from
all internal restlessness and the promptings and pride of
ambition, Washington did not seek opportunities to distinguish
himself, and never aspired to the admiration of the world.
{60}
This spirit so resolute, this heart so lofty, was profoundly calm
and modest. Capable of rising to a level with the highest
destiny, he might have lived in ignorance of his real power
without suffering from it, and have found, in the cultivation of
his estates, a satisfactory employment for those energetic
faculties, which were to be proved equal to the task of
commanding armies and founding a government.
But, when the opportunity presented itself, when the exigence
occurred, without effort on his part, without any surprise on the
part of others, indeed rather, as we have just seen, in
conformity with their expectations, the prudent planter stood
forth a great man. He had, in a remarkable degree, those two
qualities which, in active life, make men capable of great
things. He could confide strongly in his own views, and act
resolutely in conformity with them, without fearing to assume the
responsibility.
{61}
It is always a weakness of conviction, that leads to weakness of
conduct; for man derives his motives from his own thoughts, more
than from any other source. From the moment that the quarrel
began, Washington was convinced, that the cause of his country
was just, and that success must necessarily follow so just a
cause, in a country already so powerful. Nine years were to be
spent in war to obtain independence, and ten years in political
discussion to form a system of government. Obstacles, reverses,
enmities, treachery, mistakes, public indifference, personal
antipathies, all these incumbered the progress of Washington,
during this long period. But his faith and hope were never shaken
for a moment. In the darkest hours, when he was obliged to
contend against the sadness which hung upon his own spirits, he
says, "I cannot but hope and believe, that the good sense of the
people will ultimately get the better of their prejudices. ... I
do not believe, that Providence has done so much for nothing. ...
The great Governor of the universe has led us too long and too
far on the road to happiness and glory to forsake us in the midst
of it. By folly and improper conduct, proceeding from a variety
of causes, we may now and then get bewildered; but I hope and
trust, that there is good sense and virtue enough left to recover
the right path before we shall be entirely lost." [Footnote 29]
[Footnote 29: Washington's Writings,
Vol. IX. pp. 5, 383, 392.]
{62}
And at a later period, when that very France which had so well
sustained him daring the war, brought upon him embarrassments and
perils more formidable than war; when Europe, upheaved from its
foundations, was pressing heavily upon his thoughts, and
perplexing his mind, no less than America, he still continued to
hope and to trust. "The rapidity of national revolutions appears
no less astonishing than their magnitude. In what they will
terminate is known only to the Great Ruler of events; and,
confiding in his wisdom and goodness, we may safely trust the
issue to him, without perplexing ourselves to seek for that,
which is beyond human ken; only taking care to perform the parts
assigned to us, in a way that reason and our own consciences
approve." [Footnote 30]
[Footnote 30: Ibid., Vol. X. p. 331.]
{63}
The same strength of conviction, the same fidelity to his own
judgment, which he manifested in his estimate of things
generally, attended him in his practical management of business.
Possessing a mind of admirable freedom, rather in virtue of the
soundness of its views, than of its fertility; and variety, he
never received his opinions at second hand, nor adopted them from
any prejudice; but, on every occasion, he formed them himself, by
the simple observation or attentive study of facts, unswayed by
any bias or prepossession, always acquainting himself personally
with the actual truth.
Thus, when he had examined, reflected, and made up his mind,
nothing disturbed him; he did not permit himself to be thrown
into, and kept in, a state of perpetual doubt and irresolution,
either by the opinions of others, or by love of applause, or by
fear of opposition. He trusted in God and in himself. "If any
power on earth could, or the Great Power above would, erect the
standard of infallibility in political opinions, there is no
being that inhabits the terrestrial globe, that would resort to
it with more eagerness than myself, so long as I remain a servant
of the public. But as I have found no better guide hitherto, than
upright intentions, and close investigation, I shall adhere to
those maxims, while I keep the watch." [Footnote 31]
[Footnote 31: Washington's Writings, Vol. XI. p. 71.]
{64}
To this strong and independent understanding, he joined a great
courage, always ready to act upon conviction, and fearless of
consequences. "What I admire in Christopher Columbus," said
Turgot, "is, not his having discovered the new world, but his
having gone to search for it on the faith of an opinion." Whether
the occasion was of great or little moment, whether the
consequences were near at hand or remote, Washington, when once
convinced never hesitated to move onward upon the faith of his
conviction. One would have inferred, from his firm and quiet
resolution, that it was natural to him to act with decision, and
assume responsibility;--a certain sign of a genius born to
command; an admirable power, when united to a conscientious
disinterestedness.
{65}
On the list of great men, if there be some who have shone with a
more dazzling lustre, there are none who have been exposed to a
more complete test, in war and in civil government; resisting the
king, in the cause of liberty, and the people, in the cause of
legitimate authority; commencing a revolution and ending it. From
the first moment, his task was clearly manifest in all its extent
and all its difficulty. To carry on the war, he had not merely to
create an army. To this work, always so difficult, the creating
power itself was wanting. The United States had neither a
government nor an army. Congress, a mere phantom, whose unity was
only in name, had neither authority, nor power, nor courage, and
did nothing. Washington was obliged, from his camp, not only to
make constant solicitations, but to suggest measures for
adoption, to point out to Congress what course they should
pursue, if they would prevent both themselves and the army from
becoming an idle name. His letters were read while they were in
session, and supplied the subject of their debates; debates,
characterized by inexperience, timidity, and distrust. They
rested satisfied with appearances and promises. They sent
messages to the local governments.
{66}
They expressed apprehensions of military power. Washington
replied respectfully, obeyed, and then insisted; demonstrated the
deceptiveness of appearances, and the necessity of a real force
to give him the substance of the power, of which he had the name,
and to insure to the army the success which they expected of it.
Brave and intelligent men, devoted to the cause, were not wanting
in this assembly, so little experienced in the art of government.
Some of them went to the camp, examined for themselves, had
interviews with Washington, and brought with them, on their
return, the weight of their own observations and of his advice.
The assembly gradually grew wiser and bolder, and gained
confidence in themselves and in their general. They adopted the
measures, and conferred upon him the powers, which were
necessary. He then entered into correspondence and negotiations
with local governments, legislatures, committees, magistrates,
and private citizens; placing facts before their eyes; appealing
to their good sense and their patriotism; availing himself, for
the public service, of his personal friendships; dealing
prudently with democratic scruples and the sensitiveness of
vanity; maintaining his own dignity; speaking as became his high
station, but without giving offence, and with persuasive
moderation; though wisely heedful of human weakness, being
endowed with the power, to an extraordinary degree, of
influencing men by honorable sentiments and by truth.
{67}
And when he had succeeded, when Congress first, and afterwards
the different States, had granted him the necessary means of
making an army, his task was not finished; the business of the
war had not yet commenced; the army did not exist. Here, too, he
was obstructed by a complete inexperience, the same want of
unity, the same passion for individual independence, the same
conflict between patriotic purposes and disorganizing impulses.
Here, too, he was obliged to bring discordant elements into
harmony; to keep together those which were constantly ready to
separate; to enlighten, to persuade, to induce; to use personal
influence; and, without endangering his dignity or his power, to
obtain the moral fidelity, the full and free support, both of the
officers and soldiers.
{68}
Then only could Washington act as a general, and turn his
attention to the war. Or, rather, it was during the war, in the
midst of its scenes, its perils, and its hazards, that he was
constantly obliged to recommence, both in the country and the
army itself, this work of organization and government.