As for himself, his feelings remained unchanged.  He had accepted the great post with solemn anxiety, and when the prayers had all been said, and the last guns fired, when the music had ceased and the cheers had died away, and the illuminations had flickered and gone out, he wrote that in taking office he had given up all expectation of private happiness, but that he was encouraged by the popular affection, as well as by the belief that his motives were appreciated, and that, thus supported, he would do his best.  In a few words, written some months later, he tersely stated what his office meant to him, and what grave difficulties surrounded his path.

“The establishment of our new government,” he said, “seemed to be the last great experiment for promoting human happiness by a reasonable compact in civil society.  It was to be, in the first instance, in a considerable degree, a government of accommodation as well as a government of laws.  Much was to be done by prudence, much by conciliation, much by firmness.  Few who are not philosophical spectators can realize the difficult and delicate part which a man in my situation had to act.  All see, and most admire, the glare which hovers round the external happiness of elevated office.  To me there is nothing in it beyond the lustre which may be reflected from its connection with a power of promoting human felicity.  In our progress towards political happiness my station is new, and, if I may use the expression, I walk on untrodden ground.  There is scarcely an action the motive of which may not be subject to a double interpretation.  There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.  If, after all my humble but faithful endeavors to advance the felicity of my country and mankind, I may indulge a hope that my labors have not been altogether without success, it will be the only real compensation I can receive in the closing scenes of life.”

There is nothing very stimulating to the imagination in this soberness of mind and calmness of utterance.  The military conquerors and the saviors of society, with epigrammatic sayings, dramatic effects and rhythmic proclamations, are much more exciting and dazzle the fancy much better.  But it is this seriousness of mind, coupled with intensity of purpose and grim persistence, which has made the English-speaking race spread over the world and carry successful government in its train.  The personal empire of Napoleon had crumbled before he died an exile in St. Helena, but the work of Washington still endures.  Just what that work was, and how it was achieved, is all that still remains to be considered.