Show 0 nature and fortune never made A better man thomas L in CM y I 1 UNE of the recent biographers of washington has given us so just and true a picture of the man as that drawn by jefferson more than a century ago 1 I think I 1 know knew general washington intimately and thoroughly he said his mind was great and powerful without being of the very first order his penetration i strong though not so acute as that of a newton bacon or locke and as far as he saw no judgment was ever sounder it was waa slow blow in operation being little aided by invention or lm agitation agi nation but sure in conclusion hence the common remark of his officers of the advantage he be derived from councils of war where hearing all su suggestions he selected whatever was best he was incapable of fear meeting personal dangers with the calmest unconcern perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence never acting until every circumstance every consideration was maturely U h 1 hearing at all S suggestions he selected whatever was best weighed retraining refraining if besaw a doubt but when once decided going through with tits his purpose whatever obstacles opposed ile he was indeed in every sense of the words a wise a good and a great marl man his temper was naturally irritable and high toned but reflection and resolution had bad obtained a firm and habitual over it his Is heart was not warm in its affections but tie he exactly calculated every mans value and gave him a solid esteem proportioned to it it may truly be said that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a great man and to place him in the same constellation with whatever worthies have merited from man everlasting remembrance after all has been said it was I 1 glon character which was supremely great which was responsible for the greatness of hla his achievements in the revolution it was the trust in washington which held together a faltering and discouraged people which tided the country over the darkest hours which was responsible fori the eventful victory after pence peace had been won it was this flits trust in washington Washing toh which ninde madei it possible for a disunited people to attelin enduring strength and unity Theren bave been greater generals than washington greater statesmen there has as been no greater character when the writings of his detractors have baire passed dinto info obscurity his memory membry will remain what it has always been a sacra legacy y ti tho the american people |