Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1898 — GEORGE WASHINGTON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GEORGE WASHINGTON

A Study of His Personality as Soldier, Statesman and Citizen.

MONG great historical characters there is none exerting a wider or more potent influence upon succeeding generations . than that of George Washington. It is conceded that all i history furnishes not another character so symmetrical in all lits parts as that of the first President of the United States. As a patriot, a citizen, a soldier and a statesman, Washington stands out in bold relief on the pages of history, the greatest American that ever lived. It is this magnificent equipoise of character attributes that most strikingly impresses the fitudent of his personality and achievements. It may be said of Washington as was said of Louis Phillipe: “He had no youth; he was born a man.” Washington received only a common school education. He was ever sensitive of his educational limitations, and even after he had served as commander-in-chief of the army, acted as President for two terms and indelibly set the impress of his character

■pon the foundation principles of the greatest of free governments, he appealed to half a dozen of his colleagues and friends for help-in writing and revising his ftorewell address. Though in his youth he was content to earn his living as a hired surveyor, when he died, Washington was one of the wealthiest Americans of his time, his property, exclusive of his swift’s and the Mount Vernon estate, .being worth over $500,000. He was a successful business man, ns well as a great soldier and statesman. In his youth, and even during the revolution, Washington was a good deal of a dandy. In his personal appearance he was exceptionally clean and neat. He is described ns tall and well proportioned and of commanding presence. His feet were unusually large. Though he wore false teeth and his large-featured face was colorless and pitted from smallpox, he was considered handsome. Washington was fond of a good time with congenial companions. He was passionately fond of dancing, and he frequently went to picnics, one of his particular diversions. He iru fond of cards and billiards, usually with small stakes. His diaay shows that he loot fully aB often as he won at both games. Washington was also fond of fishh«g and hunting, the theater and the circus. Music, too, charmed him. In reading Washington favored works on agriculture and military science, though there were historical books, besides poems und novels by standard authors In his library. After more than a dozen love affairs, "Washington, in 1759, when he was 27 years old, married the wealthy widow of Daniel Parke Custis. Martha Washington- is reported to have been comely, obstinate and a poor speller, yet well bred and generally kind to relations nnd friends. Washington, though, always seemed satisfied with her. » Washington’s conduct as President showed the natural results of his characteristics and training as a citizen and a soldier. Guided by no other impulse but that at duty, bound by no other ties save those of honor nnd the best interests of the whole people, his principles and work as the first President of the new republic aught ever to serve ns the motto and model of every public official, as they have always been and must ever be the true basis of good government and lasting political reform. Prudence, conciliation and firmness proved to be the characteristics as his conduct during the two administrations, whether in dealing with domestic troubles, or the United Stutes’ relations with England and France, or the jealousies and divergent opinions of the members of his own cabinet. Other features as his statesmanship were his progressive views nnd efforts in behalf of the abolition of slnvery, and the founding of a notional university. "Washington’s whole career is animate with the heart throbs of American history; his every public act resplendent with the coloring of American sentiment. Beneath the apparent austerity of his manner there moved a current of patriotism as broad as his country, and as deep as humanity.