G. Washington was about the best man this country ever sot eyes on. He was a clear-heded, warm-hearted, and stiddy goin man. He never slopt over! The prevailin' weakness of most public men is to slop over! … Washington never slopt over. That wasn't George's stile. He luved his country dearly. He wasn't after the spiles [spoils]. He was a human angil in a 3 kornered hat and knee britches.

Fourth of July Oration, 1859