of the English House of Commons the example of the Government of the United States at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in Europe. I know no story in the page of history more striking or more instructive than the noble stand made by Washington and the great statesmen by whom he was surrounded, against the excited passions of his own countrymen, who sought to force the Government into hostilities with Great Britain. The narrative is told in the closing chapters of Marshall's 'Life of Washington,'-the worthy biographer of a noble life. No spectacle so sad or so memorable has been transmitted for the instruction of posterity as that of an ungovernable people who clouded, by their ingratitude, the closing days of the patriot chief who had led them through the wilderness and brought them into the land of promise. But those were days in which American statesmen had the courage to be wise, and dared to be unpopular. In the midst of almost universal obloquy Washington stood firm, and refused to adopt the rash and short-sighted policy of a frantic people and a violent press. He knew too well How nations sink, by darling schemes opprest, When vengeance listens to the fool's request. I have spoken with the respect they deserve of the judicial records of American decisions. But an equal if not higher reputation belongs to the archives of American diplomatic statesmanship at the close of the last and the beginning of the present century. The published volumes of American State Papers during the early years of the French Revolutionary War present a noble monument of dignity, moderation, and good faith. They are repertories of statesmanlike principles and juridical knowledge. Their relation to the publications of modern transatlantic politicians is much that of the literature of Rome under Augustus to that of the Lower Empire. Pressed upon either side by the violence and menaces of the rival combatants, Washington persisted to the last in an inflexible attitude of strict neutrality. The country over whose destinies he presided reaped the lasting advantage of his wise and prudent counsels. And the verdict of an enlightened posterity has indemnified his fame for the odium which was cast upon him by an unjust and ignorant populace. I trust that the administration which may be charged with the fortunes of this Empire, to whatever party they may belong, will sustain the same superiority above the solicitations of interested partisans and the clamour of ignorant passion. CONTENTS. PAGE 39 119 |