ous. it is not in war alone his pre-eminence ftands confpicu His various talents, combining all the capacities of a statesman with those of a foldier, fitted him alike to guide the councils and the armies of our nation. Scarcely had he rested from his martial toils, while his invaluable parental advice was ftill founding in our ears, when he, who had been our fhield and our fword, was called forth to act a lefs fplendid, but more important part. Poffeffing a clear and penetrating mind, a ftrong and found judgment, calmnefs and temper for deliberation, with invincible firmness and perfeverance in refolutions maturely formed; drawing information from all; acting from himself, with incorruptible integrity and unvarying patriotism; his own fuperiority and the public confidence alike marked him as the man defigned by Heaven to lead in the great political as well as military events which have distinguished the era of his life. The finger of an over-ruling Providence, pointing at WASHINGTON, was neither mistaken nor unobferved, when, to realize the vast hopes to which our revolution had given birth, a change of political fyftem became indispensable. How novel, how grand the fpectacle! Independent States stretched over an immenfe territory, and known only by common difficulty, clinging to their union as the rock of their fafety; deciding, by frank comparifon of their relative condition, to rear on that rock, under the guidance of reafon, a common government, through whofe commanding protection, liberty and order, with their long train of bleffings, fhould be safe to themselves, and the fure inheritance of their pofterity. This arduous task devolved on citizens felected by the people, from knowledge of their wisdom and confidence in their virtue. In this auguft affembly of fages and of patriots, WASHINGTON of course was found; and, as if acknowledged to be most wife where all were wife, with one voice he was declared their Chief. How well he merited this rare diftinction, how faithful were the labours of himself and his compatriots, the work of their hands, and our union, strength and profperity, the fruits of that work, beft atteft. But to have effentially aided in presenting to his country this confummation of her hopes, neither fatisfied the claims of his fellow-citizens on his talents, nor those duties which the poffeffion of thofe talents impofed. Heaven had not infused into his mind fuch an uncommon fhare of its ethereal fpirit to remain unemployed, nor bestowed on him his genius unaccompanied with the correfponding duty of devoting it to the common good. To have framed a Conftitution, was fhewing only, without realizing, the general happiness. This great work remained to be done; and America, ftedfaft in her preference, with one voice fummoned her beloved WASHINGTON, unpractifed as he was in the duties of civil administration, to execute this last act in the completion of the national felicity. Obedient to her call, he affumed the high office with that felf-distrust peculiar to his innate modefty, the conftant attendant of pre-eminent virtue. What was the burst of joy through our anxious land on this exhilarating event, is known to us all. The aged, the young, the brave, the fair, rivalled each other in demonstrations of their gratitude; and this high-wrought, delightful fcene was heightened in its effect, by the fingular contest between the zeal of the bestowers and the avoidance of the receiver of the honours bestowed. Commencing his administration, what heart is not charmed with the recollection of the pure and wife principles announced by himself, as the basis of his political life? He beft understood the indiffoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the folid rewards of public profperity and individual felicity. Watching with an equal and comprehenfive eye over this great affemblage of communities and interefts, he laid the foundations of our national policy in the unerring, immutable principles of morality, based on religion, exemplifying the pre-eminence of a free government by all the attri butes which win the affections of its citizens, or command the respect of the world. "O fortunatos nimium, fua fi bona norint !" Leading through the complicated difficulties produced by previous obligations and conflicting interefts, feconded by fucceeding Houfes of Congrefs, enlightened and patriotic, he furmounted all original obftruction, and brightened the path of our national felicity. The prefidential term expiring, his folicitude to exchange exaltation for humility returned with a force increafed with increase of age; and he had prepared his Farewell Addrefs to his countrymen, proclaiming his intention, when the united interpofition of all around him, enforced by the eventful prospects of the epoch, produced a further facrifice of inclination to duty. The election of Prefident followed; and WASHINGTON, by the unanimous vote of the nation, was called to refume the Chief Magiftracy. What a wonderful fixture of confidence! Which attracts most our admiration, a people fo correct, or a citizen combining an affemblage of talents forbidding rivalry, and ftifling even envy itself? Such a nation ought to be happy; fuch a Chief must be for ever revered. War, long menaced by the Indian tribes, now broke out; and the terrible conflict, deluging Europe with blood, began to fhed its baneful influence over our happy land. To the firft, out-ftretching his invincible arm, under the orders of the gallant Wayne, the American eagle foared triumphant through diftant for efts. Peace followed victory; and the melioration of the condition of the enemy followed peace. Godlike virtue! which uplifts even the fubdued favage. To the fecond he opposed himself. New and delicate was the conjuncture, and great was the stake. Soon did his penetrating mind difcern and feize the only course, continuing to us all the felicity enjoyed. He issued his proclamation of neutrality. This index to his whole fubfequent conduct, was fanctioned by the approbation of both Houfes of Congrefs, and by the approving voice of the people. To this fublime policy he inviolably adhered, unmoved by foreign intrusion, unshaken by domestic turbulence. "Juftum et tenacem propofiti virum, Maintaining his pacific fyftem at the expense of no duty, America, faithful to herself, and unstained in her honour, continued to enjoy the delights of peace, while afflicted Europe mourns in every quarter under the accumulated miseries of an unexampled war; miferies in which our happy country must have shared, had not our pre-eminent WASHINGTON been as firm in council as he was brave in the field. Pursuing ftedfaftly his courfe, he held fafe the public happiness, preventing foreign war, and quelling internal difcord, till the revolving period of a third election approached, when he executed his interrupted, but inextinguishable defire of returning to the humble walks of private life. The promulgation of his fixed refolution stopped the anxious wishes of an affectionate people from adding a third unanimous teftimonial of their unabated confidence in the man fo long enthroned in their hearts. When before was affection like this exhibited on earth? Turn over the records of ancient Greece; review the annals of mighty Rome; examine the volumes of modern Europe-you search in vain. AMERICA and her WASHINGTON only afford the dignified exemplification. The illuftrious perfonage called by the national voice in fucceffion to the arduous office of guiding a free people, had new difficulties to encounter. The amicable effort of fettling our difficulties with France, begun by WASHINGTON, and purfued by his fucceffor in virtue as in ftation, proving abortive, America took measures of felf-defence. No fooner was the public mind roused. by a profpect of danger, than every eye was turned to the friend of all, though fecluded from public view, and grey in public fervice. The virtuous veteran, following his plough,* received the unexpected fummons with mingled emotions of indignation at the unmerited ill treatment of his country, and of a determination once more to risk his all in her defence. The annunciation of these feelings in his affecting letter to the President, accepting the command of the army, concludes his official conduct. First in war, first in peace, and firft in the hearts of his countrymen, he was fecond to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious, juft, humane, temperate and fincere; uniform, dignified and commanding, his example was as edifying to all around him, as were the effects of that example lasting. To his equals he was condefcending, to his inferiors kind, and to the dear object of his affections exemplarily tender. Correct throughout, vice fhuddered in his prefence, and virtue always felt his foftering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues. His laft scene comported with the whole tenor of his life. Although in extreme pain, not a figh, not a groan escaped him; and with undisturbed ferenity he closed his well-fpent life. Such was the man America has loft! Such was the man for whom our nation mourns! Methinks I fee his auguft image, and hear, falling from his venerable lips, these deep finking words: "CEASE, Sons of AMERICA, lamenting our feparation. Go on, and confirm by your wisdom the fruits of our joint councils, joint efforts, and common dangers. Reverence religion; diffuse knowledge throughout your land; patronize the arts and fciences; let liberty and order be infeparable companions; control party fpirit, the bane of free government; obferve good faith to, and cultivate peace with all nations ; * General WASHINGTON, though opulent, gave much of his time to practical agriculture. C |
