<h2 id="c18"><span class="h2line1">Chapter XVIII</span> <br/><span class="h2line2">Blest be His Memory</span></h2>
<p>John Marshall announced the death of
Washington in the House of Representatives in
a trembling voice. The emotion with which this
news was received was so profound that the session
had to be suspended. In conformity with his
expressed desire, the deceased was buried on the
grounds of his estate, without pomp and without
any funeral oration. Members of the order of Free
Masons, whose noble principles he had always practised
during his lifetime, silently cast a shower of
white roses into his grave.</p>
<p>In the House of Representatives the speaker’s
chair was hung with black and the members wore
mourning during the remainder of the session. The
above-mentioned John Marshall pronounced a touching
eulogy on Washington and made a proposal which
was unanimously seconded. This was that a committee
should be named to consider how best to
honor the memory of Washington, the man who was
“first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of
his countrymen.”</p>
<div class="pb" id="Page_143">143</div>
<p>What was the secret of the mysterious power in
Washington which enhanced all his talents and gave
him control over men and events? It was reason
ruling his passions, his modest deference to the judgment
of others, his just consideration of the rights
and claims of others, his deliberation in promises
and undertakings, the deep earnestness of his nature,
the respect-compelling firmness of his actions, his
strong sense of duty in carrying out his work, the
high regard for the voice of conscience which he
exacted of himself even in his youth. Washington
had a horror of gambling, which he called the source
of all vice, the destroyer of character and health,
the child of greed, the brother of injustice, the father
of depravity. He looked upon war only as a means
toward peace, for his sole object was the welfare of
the people. His triumphs in war were in themselves
but as dross to him if they had not guaranteed liberty
and the assured development of the prosperity of
the country. In making appointments to positions
of trust he never allowed considerations of friendship
or relationship to influence him, and even his opponents
admitted that no man’s sense of justice in this
regard was more unbending than his. How touching
it is to note that at every stage of his glorious career
the longing prevailed to return to the employments
of country life, from the field of war to the shade of
his own vine and fig tree on the banks of the Potomac,
to escape from the publicity of official life to the
happy domestic circle, to withdraw into the sweet
retirement of an inner life which gave him a happiness
of which the ambitious soldier and the anxious
statesman know nothing. The Christian world can
scarcely find, in the life of a public man, another
example of such religious conviction, such humility,
and such a deep and sincere purpose to emulate
Christ’s example in justice, charity, brotherly love,
moderation, and equanimity of soul. And it was
not only his admirers who conceded to him the
highest attributes of wisdom, moderation, and justice
in intellectual, ethical, and political fields, but also
his opponents and enemies. In examining his life,
wherever we look, the absolute sincerity of the man’s
nature is apparent. In every direction the study
of his life gives us the most fruitful incentives and
examples. It teaches a lesson to those who doubt
the real power of virtue. His sterling worth eclipses
all false brilliancy and his life has given us a higher
standard in our judgment of the great characters
in history, a standard which had almost been lost
during centuries of despotism. The dazzling events
and brilliant deeds in the life of a Napoleon lowered
the standard for a time, but were not able to
destroy it.</p>
<div class="pb" id="Page_145">145</div>
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