
His death sparked
widespread grief and his apotheosis quickly began. The nation was plunged into national
mourning. Here is a small funeral medal,
admittedly heavily worn, which was made very shortly after his death; the reverse side depicts a funeral urn. My copy has its suspension hole broken, but
the opening was probably used for wear at memorial parades and events.
By happenstance, I received in the mail today a miniature
book that I purchased about Washington.
This twenty-five page gem, which is about two inches by two inches, has
a gilt leather cover and contains a different Washington farewell, his famous
Farewell Address, which was delivered shortly before his departure from the
presidency and his return to Mount Vernon.
It was published in 1976. (As an aside: Miniature books are great for bibliophiles who run out of storage
space!)
On his death, Washington’s colleague Henry “Light Horse
Harry” Lee said of the Virginian who set several crucial precedents for the military
and the presidency, “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of
his countrymen.” Viewed from today, we
see some of Washington’s flaws, but one of his many biographers was correct in
calling him “the indispensable man” for the new nation.
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