Homes of American statesmen: . p eitherhonor or benefit; but, on the contrary, have almost an abso-lute certainty of incurring displeasure below, while the murderof helpless families may be laid to my account here. Thesupplicating tears of the women and moving petitions of themen melt me into such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly declare,if I know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrificeto the butchering enemy, provided that would contribute tothe peoples ease. This extract is given as being very characteristic; fullof that fire whose volcanic intensity was so carefully coveredunder
Homes of American statesmen: . p eitherhonor or benefit; but, on the contrary, have almost an abso-lute certainty of incurring displeasure below, while the murderof helpless families may be laid to my account here. Thesupplicating tears of the women and moving petitions of themen melt me into such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly declare,if I know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrificeto the butchering enemy, provided that would contribute tothe peoples ease. This extract is given as being very characteristic; fullof that fire whose volcanic intensity was so carefully coveredunder the snow of caution in after life ; and also as a specimenof Washingtons style of writing, clear, earnest, command-ing and business-like, but deficient in all express graces, andvaluable rather for substance than form. We see in his gen- 1!) WASHINGTON. eral tone of expression something of that resolute mother,who, when her son, already the first man in public estimation,urged her to make Mount Vernon her home for the rest of. Tomb of Washingtons Mother. her days, tersely replied— I thank you for your affectionateand dutiful offers, but my wants are few in this world, and I 20 HOMES OF AMERICAN STATESMEN. feel perfectly competent to take care of myself. Directnessis the leading trait in the style of both mother and son ; ifeither used circumlocution, it was rather through deliberate-ness than for diplomacy. Indeed, the alleged indebtedness ofgreat sons to strong mothers, can hardly find a more promi-nent support than in this case. What a Koman pair theywere ! If her heart failed her a little, sometimes, as whatmothers heart must not, in view of toils, sacrifices, and clan-gers like his ; if she argued towards the softer side, how heanswered her, appealing to her stronger self: Mount Vernon, 14th Aug., 1755. Honored Madam, If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, Ishall; but if the command is passed upon me by the generalvoice of the country, and offered upon su
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectstatesmen, bookyear18
