GREAT MEN'S BODIES
shone, amid the storm of war, a beacon to light, to cheer, and guide the country's friends; it flamed, too, like a meteor, to repel her foes. That name, in the days of peace, was a loadstone, attracting to itself a whole people's confidence, a whole people's love, and the whole world's respect. That name, descending with all time, spreading over the whole earth, and uttered in all the languages belonging to the tribes and races of men, will forever be pronounced with affectionate gratitude by every one in whose breast there shall arise an aspiration for human rights and human liberty."—Daniel Webster.
And his greatest successor adds his fitting tribute: "Washington is the mightiest name on earth. Long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It cannot be. To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of Washington is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked, deathless splendor leaving it shining on."—Abraham Lincoln.
When he took command of the Continental Army, Bancroft says: "Washington was then forty-three years of age. In stature he a little exceeded six feet; his limbs were sinewy and well proportioned; his chest broad; his figure stately, lending dignity of presence with ease. His robust constitution had been tried and invigorated by his early life in the wilderness; his habit of occupation out-of-doors; and his rigid temperance; so that few equalled him in strength of arm, or power of endurance. His complexion was florid; his hair dark-brown; his head in its shape perfectly round. His broad nostrils seemed formed to give expression to scornful anger.… Courage was so natural to him that it was hardly spoken of to his praise; no one ever at any moment of his life discovered in him the least shrinking in danger; and he had a hardihood of daring which escaped notice, because it was so developed by superior calmness and wisdom.
"His passions, which had the intensest vigor, owned allegiance to reason; and with all the fiery quickness of his spirit, his impetuous and massive will was held in check by consummate judgment.
"He had in his composition a calm which gave him, in moments of highest excitement, the power of self-control, and enabled him to excel in patience; even when he had most cause for disgust. He might be described as the best specimen of manhood as developed in
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