If they had had the wisdom of their better days they would then have made themselves the champions of the American idea, and would have led the country in the determined effort to free itself once for all from colonial politics, even if they were obliged to fight somebody to accomplish it.
Lodge reflects on the missed opportunity for the Federalists to champion American independence from colonial politics.
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After stating plainly that the army was on the verge of dissolution, he said: "To me it will appear miraculous if our affairs can maintain themselves much longer in their present train.
All that can be said is, that without the influence and the labors of Washington the convention of 1787, in all probability, would have failed of success.
He had that entire simplicity of manners and modes of life which is the crowning result of the highest culture and the finest nature.
The other idea which had grown in his mind during the weary siege was that the Tories were thoroughly dangerous and deserved scant mercy.