Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-03-15
Seterted misfellanp.
WASHINGTON THE MAN OF INTEGRITY,
BY THEODORE PARKER.

| s
in Westmoreland Co., Virginia, between
the Potomac and the Rappahannock riv
ers, at spot called Bridges Creek, ther.
was living an obscure farmer, named
Augustine Washington. He was born
In 1894, and belonged to a short-lived
family, which had emigrated to Virgins
IN l647. He Inherited but little, but by
his own diligence and thrift acquired con
| siderable properly, consisting chiefly OF
wild land, negro slaves and cattle. In
the rude Skandry of the time and place
he raised horned beasts, swine and to-
bacco. Augustine was first married al
the age of twenty-one, to Jane Butler
who became the mother of four children
but she died in 172S, leaving two sons
Lawrence and Augustine fifteen months
later, for his second wife, he married
Mary Ball, who is said to have been
beautiful, and the belle of the neighbor-
hood. She became the mother of SIX
children. George Washington was the
oldest; the fifth child of his father, and
his mother's first. She was twenty-eight
at the time of his birth, and the father
thlrty-eight. He was born on Saturday,
the 22nd of February. 1882 = a day ia
nous IN the political annals of America.
He first saw the light in a rude farm
house, steep-roofed, with broad caves,
one story high, rooms on the floor, and
some in the attic, large chimney al
each end, carried up on the outside of
the house. 1t vas old and rickety then
not trace of 1t now remains but blue
stone, with the inscription, "The Birth
Place of Washington" Descended from
the common class of Virginia farmers,
the boy has become a great man. No
ruler of Angle-Saxon stock has 50 great
reputation for the higher qualities of
human virtue. For more than a thou
sand years no political man has left a
name so much to be coveted, none become
SO dear 10 thoughtful mankind. Ia the
long line of Kings, Generals and Emper-
ors, from the first Monarch to the last
President or Pope, none rangs SO high
for the prime excelences of heroic virtue.
His name is the watchword of Liberty.
his example and character are held up
for the model of all men in authority
So much is he estimated at home, that
the most selfish and deceitful of polil-
which they creep behind when they would
deceive and exploiter the people He is
one OF the great authorities of American
politicians. All parties appeal to him,
sometimes for good, most commonly for
III. Let us look at this new born Satur-
days child, and see what be did, what he
suffered, and what he at last thereby be-
came and was
In his boyhood and youth his opportu-
niles for Academic education were small.
One Mr.. Hobbie taught him reading
writing and spelling in his early day.
After his fathers death, he lived with
his brother, and learned geometry at a
superior school at Bridges Creek, and
became quite finished IN whatever studies
ne entered on. He had a military spirit
very soon, and al IA he obtained a MD
shlpmans warrant; his luggage was put
on vessel; but his motner would not
let HIM go; he was not 10 be a mldshIp-
man. Ga such small events do grand re-
suits hinge. He afterward learned sur
veylng. Before he was II, he fancied
he was in love with Miss Perry; but the
course OF true love did not run smooth. -
he survived her woeful scorn and only
his verses remain to prove that he was
IN love. He fell in love again, but this
time he was cured by athletic sports
Thereafter, be bade farewell to verses
and love.
His mother had a hard temper, fitted
to command; and when Lafayette visited
her III the Revolution, he found her
wedding her garden, and she had the
good sense not to change her attire, but
came forward TO welcome her courtly WIS.,
ltor. Washington acquired much OF her
character. He was trained, too, not by
books, but by events. He continued his
practice of surveying with success.
HIS military career commenced early,
and he was active In raising troops to
act against the savages. When he joined
the expedition of Braddock, he had more
knowledge than the commander himself :;
and had his advice been followed he
would have been successful. After that
defeat, Washington was appointed Com
mander-in-C Chief. He had many Difficult
lies to contend with. In all his proceed
ings he was firm, but very moderate, aud
lhiS moderation is pecuilar, since 1t IS so
rare for military men to lose an oppor,a-
nifty TO be lyranls.
From 1859 to l77t, with his rich and
beautiful wife, Mr. Gurus widow, he
lived on his farm, III the old style of Eir-
ginia eioquence, dressing elegantly and
visited by many guests. He had the
Washington arms on his liveries and
q elsewhere a nd other ay0apSiva ord "A Sb
ionable goods from London Thus the
river of his life spread out ever a broad
shallow of ease and pleasure. His diary
shows not philosophic thought or ten
dency to inquiry, bat he recorded in his
diary very minute things, such as his as
tonIshment that four peck. OF grain should
make five pecks of meal. One year be
was IN the Virginia Assembly where be
made no speeches longer than ten minute:
1 but WAS DISTINGUISHED for uuiot and 4 .u