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ON TOP OF THINGS - COMMANDER IN
CHIEF GEORGE WASHINGTON 1783
Speech at Newburgh
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George Washington.
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Washington's Speech at Newburgh.
It follows the full text transcript of
George Washington's Speech at Newburgh, delivered at the
the Army Headquarters, Newburgh, New York - March 15, 1783.
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Gentlemen, |
By an anonymous
summons, an attempt has been made to convene you
together; how inconsistent with the rules of
propriety! how unmilitary! and how subversive of
all order and discipline, let the good sense of
the Army decide.
In the moment of this Summons, another anonymous
production was sent into circulation, addressed
more to the feelings and passions, than to the
reason and judgment of the Army. The author of
the piece, is entitled to much credit for the
goodness of his Pen and I could wish he had as
much credit for the rectitude of his Heart, for,
as Men see thro’ different Optics, and are
induced by the reflecting faculties of the Mind,
to use different means, to attain the same end,
the Author of the Address, should have had more
charity, than to mark for Suspicion, the Man who
should recommend moderation and longer
forbearance, or, in other words, who should not
think as he thinks, and act as he advises. But
he had another plan in view, in which candor and
liberality of Sentiment, regard to justice, and
love of Country, have no part; and he was right,
to insinuate the darkest suspicion, to effect
the blackest designs.
That the Address is drawn with great Art, and is
designed to answer the most insidious purposes.
That it is calculated to impress the Mind, with
an idea of premeditated injustice in the
Sovereign power of the United States, and rouse
all those resentments which must unavoidably
flow from such a belief. That the secret mover
of this Scheme (whoever he may be) intended to
take advantage of the passions, while they were
warmed by the recollection of past distresses,
without giving time for cool, deliberative
thinking, and that composure of Mind which is so
necessary to give dignity and stability to
measures is rendered too obvious, by the mode of
conducting the business, to need other proof
than a reference to the proceeding.
Thus much, Gentlemen, I have thought it
incumbent on me to observe to you, to show upon
what principles I opposed the irregular and
hasty meeting which was proposed to have been
held on Tuesday last: and not because I wanted a
disposition to give you every opportunity
consistent with your own honor, and the dignity
of the army, to make known your grievances. If
my conduct heretofore, has not evinced to you,
that I have been a faithful friend to the Army,
my declaration of it at this moment wd. be
equally unavailing and improper. But as I was
among the first who embarked in the cause of our
common Country. As I have never left your side
one moment, but when called from you on public
duty. As I have been the constant companion and
witness of your Distresses, and not among the
last to feel, and acknowledge your Merits. As I
have ever considered my own Military reputation
as inseparably connected with that of the Army.
As my Heart has ever expanded with joy, when I
have heard its praises, and my indignation has
arisen, when the mouth of detraction has been
opened against it, it can scarcely be supposed,
at this late stage of the War, that I am
indifferent to its interests. But, hoe are they
to be promoted?
The way is plain,
says the anonymous Addresser. If War continues,
remove into the unsettled Country; there
establish yourselves, and leave an ungrateful
Country to defend itself. But how are they to
defend? Our Wives, our Children, our Farms, and
other property which we leave behind us. Or, in
this state of hostile separation, are we to take
the two first (the latter cannot be removed), to
perish in a Wilderness, with hunger, cold and
nakedness? If Peace takes place, never sheath
your Swords Says he until you have obtained full
and ample justice; this dreadful alternative, of
either deserting our Country in the extremest
hour of her distress, or turning our Arms
against it, (which is the apparent object,
unless Congress can be compelled into instant
compliance) has something so shocking in it,
that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! What
can this writer have in view, by recommending
such measures? Can he be a friend to the Army?
Can he be a friend to this Country? Rather, is
he not an insidious Foe? Some Emissary, perhaps
from New York, plotting the ruin of both, by
sowing the seeds of discord and separation
between the Civil and Military powers of the
Continent? And what a Compliment does he pay to
our understandings, when he recommends measures
in either alternative, impracticable in their
Nature?
But here, Gentlemen, I will drop the curtain,
because it wd. be as imprudent in me to assign
my reasons for this opinion, as it would be
insulting to your conception, to suppose you
stood in need of them. A moment’s reflection
will convince every dispassionate Mind of the
physical impossibility of carrying either
proposal into execution.
There might, Gentlemen, be an impropriety in my
taking notice, in this Address to you, of an
anonymous production, but the manner in which
that performance has been introduced to the
army, the effect it was intended to have,
together with some other circumstances, will
amply justify my observations on the tendency of
that Writing. With respect to the advice given
by the Author, to suspect the Man, who shall
recommend moderate measures and longer
forbearance, I spurn it, as every Man, who
regards liberty, and reveres that justice for
which we contend, undoubtedly must; for if Men
are to be precluded from offering their
Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the
most serious and alarming consequences, that can
invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is
of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be
taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led,
like sheep, to the Slaughter.
I cannot, in justice to my own belief, and what
I have great reason to conceive is the intention
of Congress, conclude this Address, without
giving it as my decided opinion, that that
Honble Body, entertain exalted sentiments of the
Services of the Army; and, from a full
conviction of its merits and sufferings, will do
it complete justice. That their endeavors, to
discover and establish funds for this purpose,
have been unwearied, and will not cease, till
they have succeed, I have not a doubt. But, like
all other large Bodies, where there is a variety
of different Interests to reconcile, their
deliberations are slow. Why then should we
distrust them? and, in consequence of that
distrust, adopt measures, which may cast a shade
over that glory which, has been so justly
acquired; and tarnish the reputation of an Army
which is celebrated thro’ all Europe, for its
fortitude and Patriotism? and for what is this
done? to bring the object we seek nearer? No!
most certainly, in my opinion, it will cast it
at a greater distance.
For myself (and I take no merit in giving the
assurance, being induced to it from principles
of gratitude, veracity and justice), a grateful
sense of the confidence you have ever placed in
me, a recollection of the cheerful assistance,
and prompt obedience I have experienced from
you, under every vicissitude of Fortune, and the
sincere affection I feel for an Army, I have so
long had the honor to Command, will oblige me to
declare, in this public and solemn manner, that,
in the attainment of complete justice for all
your toils and dangers, and in the gratification
of every wish, so far as may be done
consistently with the great duty I owe my
Country, and those powers we are bound to
respect, you may freely command my Services to
the utmost of my abilities.
While I give you these assurances, and pledge
myself in the most unequivocal manner, to exert
whatever ability I am possessed of, in your
favor, let me entreat you, Gentlemen, on your
part, not to take any measures, which viewed in
the calm light of reason, will lessen the
dignity, and sully the glory you have hitherto
maintained; let me request you to rely on the
plighted faith of your Country, and place a full
confidence in the purity of the intentions of
Congress; that, previous to your dissolution as
an Army they will cause all your Accts. to be
fairly liquidated, as directed in their
resolutions, which were published to you two
days ago, and that they will adopt the most
effectual measures in their power, to render
ample justice to you, for your faithful and
meritorious Services. And let me conjure you, in
the name of our common Country, as you value
your own sacred honor, as you respect the rights
of humanity, and as you regard the Military and
National character of America, to express your
utmost horror and detestation of the Man who
wishes, under any specious pretences, to
overturn the liberties of our Country, and who
wickedly attempts to open the flood Gates of
Civil discord, and deluge our rising Empire in
Blood.
By thus
determining, and thus acting, you will pursue
the plain and direct road to the attainment of
your wishes. You will defeat the insidious
designs of our Enemies, who are compelled to
resort from open force to secret Artifice. You
will give one more distinguished proof of
unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising
superior to the pressure of the most complicated
sufferings.
And you will, by the dignity of your
Conduct, afford occasion of Posterity to say,
when speaking of the glorious example you have
exhibited to Mankind, "had this day been
wanting, the World had never seen the last stage
of perfection to which human nature is capable
of attaining."
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