Henry Cabot Lodge: “To put aside a crown for love of country is noble, but to look down upon such an opportunity indicates a much greater…”

Which is the noble character for after ages to admire,--yon fribble dancing in lace and spangles, or yonder hero who sheathes his sword after a life of spotless honor, a purity unreproached, a courage indomitable, and a consummate victory?

It was a difficult thing for men who had been born colonists to rise to a sense of national opportunities, but Washington passed at a single step from being a Virginian to being an American, and in so doing he stood alone.

It showed that America had demonstrated to Europe that she could win independence, and it had been proved to the traditional enemy of England that the time had come when it would be profitable to help the revolted colonies.

The vulgar hatred of wealth found no place in his heart.