_J. T. Headley_ (_Condensed_) FROM “WASHINGTON’S LEGACY” OR HIS LETTER TO THE GOVERNORS OF ALL THE STATES I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in His holy protection; that He would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their Fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field;--and finally that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. GEORGE WASHINGTON _8 June, 1783_ A KING OF MEN Hand in hand with ... rare soundness of judgment there went a completeness of moral self-control which was all the more impressive inasmuch as Washington’s was by no means a tame or commonplace nature, such as ordinary power of will would suffice to guide. He was a man of intense and fiery passions. His anger when once aroused had in it something so terrible, that strong men were cowed by it like frightened children. This prodigious animal nature was habitually curbed by a will of iron and held in the service of a sweet and tender soul, into which no mean or unworthy thought had ever entered. Whole-souled devotion to public duty, an incorruptible integrity, which no appeal to ambition or vanity could for a moment solicit--these were attributes of Washington, as well marked as his clearness of mind and his strength of purpose. And it was in no unworthy temple, that Nature had enshrined this great spirit. His lofty stature--exceeding six feet--his grave and handsome face, his noble bearing, and courtly grace of manner, all proclaimed in Washington a king of men. _John Fiske_ WHEN WASHINGTON DIED Crape enshrouded the Standards of France, and the Flags upon the victorious ships of England fell fluttering to half-mast at the tidings of his death. _Chief Justice Fuller_ Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic General, the patriotic Statesman, and the virtuous sage. Let them teach their children never to forget that the fruits of his labours and his example, _are their inheritance_. _The Senate of the United States, 1799_