LETTER XLIV.

Washington. - Frederick.

Napoleon.

Defenders of the Country. - Popularity. — Citizen-soldier. — Standing-Army-Soldier. Conquest. Vain-glory. Universal Peace. - Dualistic Nature of Man. - Farewell Orders to the Armies by Washington. - Review of the Past Struggle. Conduct for the Future.

THOSE who sacrifice their lives for their country, when in danger of war, will always command the esteem of their fellowcitizens, and acquire great popularity, especially if the war be one of defence for the protection of liberty, and required by justice and honor. There is, however, a great difference between a citizen-soldier or general and a hired standing-army-soldier or princely commander. The Americans are so fortunate as to have in Washington a perfect pattern of a citizen-general, while the Europeans are proud of their great Fredericks and Napoleons. It is of the highest importance that a citizen should never indulge in ambitious ideas of conquest. No general was ever freer from them, and of the pernicious passion of military vain-glory than Washington. Although a republican government, by itself, is not in need of the support of a standing army, like that of a prince, still, as mankind are organized, no commonwealth can exist, as such, without a strong arm for the common defence. Universal peace is an absolute idea, like that of general virtue, goodness, etc. We, as rational beings, can form such ideas; but the absolute universal perfection, which they pre-suppose when realized, mankind never will attain, because it is against our nature. This is of a dualistic kind, as life and death, wisdom and foolery, good and bad, etc., mixed up in such a manner that we are not able to form an idea of good without the help of its opposite, that is, bad. No one would sigh for eternal peace if he was not surrounded by an eternal conflict of antagonistic forces. It is, then, clear that the rights of nations can not be maintained without an adequate extensive establishment for the common defence, as the

federal constitution speaks of the military force, just as the rights of individuals would be entirely insecure without the institution of courts, jails, etc.

All I desire from you, my sons, in this regard, is to keep the example of a citizen-soldier, as set up by General Washington, before your eyes, when in times that try men's hearts and courage you are called to arms for the defence of your country. Read the following extract, from his farewell orders to the armies of the United States, dated Rocky Hill, near Princeton, November 2, 1783. I insert them in my letters because they come from the greatest pattern of a citizen-soldier, and they obviously contain sentiments, which have influenced the public men of his time, and especially those who framed the federal constitution. He says:

66 "Before the commander-in-chief takes his final leave of those he holds most dear, he wishes to indulge himself a few moments, in calling to mind a slight review of the past: he will, then, take the liberty of exploring with his military friends, their future prospects, of advising the general line of conduct which, in his opinion, ought to be pursued; and he will conclude the address by expressing the obligations he feels himself under for the spirited and able assistance he has experienced from them in the performance of an arduous office.

"A contemplation of the complete attainment (at a period earlier than could have been expected) of the object for which we contended against so formidable a power, can not but inspire us with astonishment and gratitude. The disadvantageous circumstances, on our part, under which the war was undertaken, can never be forgotten."

"In order to remove the prejudices which may have taken possession of the minds of any of the good people of the states, it is earnestly recommended to all the troops, that with a strong attachment to the Union, they should carry with them into civil society the most conciliating dispositions; and that they should prove themselves not less virtuous and useful citizens, than they have been persevering and victorious as soldiers. What though there should be some envious individuals who are unwilling to pay the debt the public has contracted, or to yield the tribute due to merit, yet let such unworthy treatment produce no invective, or any instance of intemperate conduct; let it be remembered that the unbiased voice of the free citizens of the United States has promised the just reward, and given the merited applause; let it be known and remembered that the reputation of the federal armies is established beyond the reach of malevolence; and let a consciousness of their achievements and fame still excite the men who composed them, to honorable actions, under the persuasion that the private virtues of economy, prudence and industry, will not be less amiable in civil life than the more

splendid qualities of valor, perseverance, and enterprise were in the field. And, although the general has so frequently given it as his opinion, in the most public and explicit manner, that unless the principles of the federal government were properly supported, and the powers of the Union increased, the honour, dignity, and justice of the nation would be lost for ever, yet he can not help repeating, on this occasion, so interesting a sentiment, and leaving it as his last injunction to every officer and every soldier who may view the subject in the same serious point of light, to add his best endeavors to those of his worthy fellow-citizens, toward effecting these great and valuable purposes, on which our very existence as a nation so materially depends!"

We learn here again how this eminent man and citizen, and true prototype of a civil and military chief, tried to realize his great idea of a more perfect union of the then liberated colonies. How nobly does he speak to his fellow-soldiers and companions! He concludes this address with the following touching words :—

"Being now to conclude these his last public orders, to take ultimate leave, in a short time, of the military character, and to bid a final adieu to the armies he has so long had the honor to command, he can only again offer, in their behalf, his recommendations to their grateful country, and his prayers to the God of armies. May ample justice be done them here, and may the choicest of heaven's favors, both here and hereafter, attend those, who under the divine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings for others. With these wishes and his benediction, the commander-in-chief is about to retire from service. The curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene to him will be closed for ever"

Under such a commander, could the final issue of the war be doubtful? It makes one a better man and citizen to read Washington's public documents. They are monuments more lasting than brass. You must keep them before your mind as perfect patterns of just and noble sentiments, that when comparing them with the products of modern politicians in Congress and legislatures, you may easily separate the wheat from the chaff, and be guided by them through life.

LETTER XLV.

Washington elected President.

Organization of the General Government. - Retires from the Presidency. - His Farewell Address to the People of the United States, Sept. 17, 1796.

GEN. WASHINGTON was not permitted to enjoy his rural retirement long, which, like the ancient Roman republicans, he loved so much. The legislature of Virginia chose him a member of the convention which framed the federal constitution; he was the presiding officer of this most important assemblage, and, by the grateful people, elected as their first president, under the constitution which bears his name, and for which he labored so long. He organized the government, was elected for a second term, and this he closed with an address to the nation, universally known as Washington's Farewell Address, and acknowledged by all thinking men as an eminently clear and true exposition of the commonsense principles of free democratic governments. I have added appropriate heads, and recommend it to your most careful attention. It is the real foundation of our American common law, considering the source from which it comes, of more value than English, Roman, and Greek law-maxims, and precedents. I add it entire as follows:

Declining a Re-election.

"FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprize you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.

Reasons for Declining.

"I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be assured,

that this resolution has not been taken without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his country; and that, in withdrawing the tender of service which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness; but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both. State Reasons for serving a Second Time.

"The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you: but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea.

my

The State of the Public Affairs favors his Retirement from Office. "I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty or propriety; and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that, in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determination to retire.

"The impressions with which I first undertook the arduous trust were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have with good intentions contributed toward the organization and administration of the government, the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious, in the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself: and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circum