Chapter I: Front Matter

THE WONDERFUL STORY OF WASHINGTON

“The ingenuous youth of America will hold up to themselves the
bright model of Washington’s example, and study to be what they
behold; they will contemplate his character, till all his
virtues spread out and display themselves to their delighted
vision; as the earliest astronomers, the shepherds on the
plains of Babylon, gazed at the stars till they saw them form
into clusters and constellations, overpowering at length the
eyes of the beholders with the united blaze of a thousand
lights.”--WEBSTER.

_Inspiration Series of Patriotic Americans_

THE WONDERFUL STORY OF WASHINGTON

AND THE MEANING OF HIS LIFE
FOR THE YOUTH AND PATRIOTISM
OF AMERICA

BY C. M. STEVENS
Author of “_The Wonderful Story of Lincoln_”

NEW YORK
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY

Copyright, 1917, by
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. INTRODUCTORY CONSIDERATIONS
American Patriotism and the Meaning of America.
Washington’s Early Surroundings.

II. THE BOY WITH A WILL AND A WAY
Early Circumstances of the First American Hero.
A Community Proud of Its Family Honor.
The Self-Pity and Sentimentalism of Youth.

III. BEGINNINGS OF EXPERIENCE IN BORDER WARFARE
Getting Used to Roughing It.
Land Speculation as the Beginning Leading to
American Self-Government.
The Struggle for the Indian’s Hunting Grounds.

IV. THE RIVALRY AND DIPLOMACY OF THE FRONTIER
The First Great Problems of the Indians.
Alarm for the Future.
Indifference to Great Interests.

V. THE CONSEQUENCE OF ARROGANCE AND IGNORANCE
Annoyances and Antagonisms.
Dishonors and Disasters.
Washington Entering the School of War.

VI. THE STRUGGLE FOR FORT DUQUESNE
The Separation Beginning Between the Colonies and
England.
Lessons Gathered from Defeat.
Some Personal Interests at Home.

VII. THE FATE OF THE OHIO VALLEY
Frontier Fears and Panics.
Political Intrigue and Official Confusion.
“A Matter of Great Admiration.”

VIII. THE BEGINNING SIGNS OF A GREAT REVOLUTION
Military Victory and a Happy Marriage.
Life Fulfilled as a Virginia Country Gentleman.
The Momentous Struggle Between Might and Right.

IX. SOWING THE WIND AND REAPING THE WHIRLWIND
Mount Vernon at First in a Zone of Calm.
Giving the Appearance and Keeping the Substance.
“Soft Words Butter No Parsnips.”

X. ANTAGONISMS AND HOSTILITIES
Blazing the Way to War.
The Double-Quick March to Revolution.
Violence and Flattery as Methods of Mastery.

XI. GREAT MINDS IN THE GREAT STORM
Suppressing Americans.
The Business of Getting Ready.
Many Men of Many Minds.

XII. THE HOUSE LONG DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF
Unpatriotic Confusion of Opinions and Interests.
Sometimes Too Late to Mend.
Selecting the Leader of Liberty for America.

XIII. LARGE BODIES MOVE SLOWLY
The First Commander-in-Chief.
Big Business, Money-Makers and Patriotism.
The Strong Mind for Great Needs.

XIV. TURNING REVOLUTION INTO GOVERNMENT
Seeking Retirement for Life.
Freedom and the Wrangle for Personal Gain.
Laying the Foundations of Liberty and Law.

XV. THE PEACE OF HOME AT LAST
Sorrow for the Departed Scenes.
Crowned in the Fullness of Time.
A Life-Like Scene from Washington’s Home Life.

XVI. STANDARDS OF AMERICAN PATRIOTISM
Foundations.
Freedom of the Western Hemisphere.
The Loyalty of Youth.

XVII. CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS
The Washington Ideal as the American Ideal.
Not Birth But Character Makes Americans.
The American Lesson Learned from the Greatest
Leaders in the Making of America.

WASHINGTON AND AMERICAN LIBERTY