The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-22

ANNIVEHeAkX OF THE OihXnDAx W WAbH-
MGroS.-we celebrate to-day the hundred and
twenty-second anniversary Of the birth of WASH
ington.
In February 1900, Napoleon, then First Con-
sui of France issued an order to his army an
nouncing, washington is dead! This great
man established the liberty of his country. His
memory will always be dear to the French PEG
worlds" The standards and flags throughout
the French republic wore for two months the
usual badge Of mourning, and after an imposing
military solemnization In the Champ de Mars,
glowing eloge fune6re de Washington was
pronounced by the gifted and eloquent N. de
Fontaines, in the Temple of Mars, in presence
Of the First Consul and Of q vast audience Of
civil and military authorities.
And while the French republic was Offering
this spontaneous tribute to the memory Of our
Pater Patrie, and celebrating the majesty Of
his virtues, at once honoring his name and COM
mending the great national principles Of which
his mind and sword were the exponeAts, the
British feet of about sixty ships Of the line
lying at Torbsy exhibited another striking proof
Of sympathy, when, on the announcement
made by Lord Bridport, then in command,
every flag throughout the feet was lowered
half-mast.
Other foreign States, by expressive tokens,
confessed their appreciation Of the great man
whose name had already acquired . deep sig
nifcance in the vocabulary of the worlds mote
du guet.
We have powerful national motive for cele-
brating our present anniversary, and for stated
ly reviving and forever perpetuating the thrill
ling recollections by which the sacred memory
of Washington is embalmed. The political
principles which he, rs the leader Of his immor-
tai heroic compeers, inculcated, maintained,
and established, in council and in the field, are
confessedly the principles of the worlds eman-
cipation. His name, therefore, may well be
the watchword Of all who are or who aspire to-
be freemen. 1t is name beaming with asso-
Citations Of exalted grandeur and Of pure politi-
cal morality. 1t does not glitter with sugges-
tions Of sagacious though INSCRIPTIONS coups
detat; but it awakens ennobling souvenirs Of
profound and comprehensive political principles,
wisely, fairly, and successfully applied. It is q
name that is not merely national, but cosmical.
And when the Genius Of Liberty, with view
to the enlargement of human rights, shall make
her circuit Of the nations. to plant her stand
ards and to sound her reveille, myriads Of slum-
berers, reused from their long and heavy sleep,
will welcome the signal, and catch the spirit Of
the anniversary we to-day celebrate.
The dates that designate the epochs Of the
life Of Washington, and the events that furnish
the annals Of his history, although attractive
and interesting, are comparatively Of little mo-
ment in view Of the surprising interest awak-.
ened by the world-regenerating spirit which his
exalted character and momentous achievements
are naturally fostering in the human mind
throughout the Kingdoms Of the Old World. He
has become indeed. the impersonation Of great
cause. His name is signal. This high dis
tinction he won for himself and for us when his
wisdom, judgment, and firmness were so con-
spicuous at the crisis Of our colonial affairs. In
our House Of Representatives. in the year 1899,
John Marshall called him the chief ofthe patriots
that formed our constitution; and them said of
him More than any other individual, and as
much as to one individual was possible, has he
contributed to found this our widespreading
empire, and to give to our Western world indie
pendence and freedom"
Let us, then, blend with the inspiriting name
Of Washington the thrilling sentiments Of civil
and religious liberty. And while we celebrate
this holiday in our national calendar, let us
with joy recount the distinguishing blessings Of
our civil constitution, which has tied together J.
by sacred federal bond our leagued, independ-
ent. sovereign States. With the elevating
emotions of our patriot sage let us habitually
trace the streams Of our political and social
prosperity to the Divine Source from which
they 30 bountifully issue .and let MS indulge
emotions Of universal goodwill, that would en-
courage the oppressed Of all nations to burst
the bonds of tyranny, and to claim mans natu-
raj prerogative of selfgovernment, SO as to be
enlightened, free, and independent
Our own security and glory, we are we'll
aware, cannot b enduring without the coex-
istence of freedom and national education.
Other governments we know cannot perma-
nently enjoy the free institutions which we en-
joy unless by popular education they be fitted
for this high Irsrogative and great blessedness.
They must while they reflect upon the political
facts we are exhibiting to the world, learn the
importance of being enlightened before they
can be free indeed. They must also habitually
cherish the sentiment, that they are, indeed,
possessed of these ennobling benlsons of hea--
ven-education aud freedom. And as they see
from afar our national bird in his lofty fight, =
they should not fail to discover that he could
not and would not spread his ample pinion thus
to soar and bask had he not learned to appre-
ciate, as we'll as enjoy, his alluring regalement
in liberty aud light.
ARE Our MAIL STEAMSHIPS FIT FOR SERVICE
IN TINE OF WAR?-The imminence of European
war has drawn the attention Of the British gov