Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-22
The birthday of Washington
janlI-wIy


The Birth-Day of Washington.
To-day, all over the nation, will be eommemo-
rated the virtues and patriotism of the Father Of
His Country. His deeds have become history
and GEoRGE WAsHINeroS is regarded by almost
universal acclaim as one of the purest and
wisest of men who have occupied the position OF
a nations leader. His frmness self-reliance and
unsel6sh devotion TO the cause, secured the tri-
umph of the rebellion of the American Colonies
against British usurpations anastyranny, and
their Independence II he had failed he would
have become a rebel and an outcast, but success
gave him not only nations gratitude, but a
lofty position the roll of fame. The contest
was waged for seven long years. amid privations
and difficulties which seemed insarmountable.
but his self sacrificing zeal in the of lib
erty ard Independence triumphed over every OBJ
stacle and the birth of a new nation laying its
foundations in the capacity of man for self gov
eminent was the result of his labors. Is it not
most fitting that the virtues of such man
should be held up as worthy of imitation,
and his purity of character and self-de-
mails as models for those at the present
time who are intrusted with public affairs. And
the lessons OF wisdom which he inculcated would
be safe guide to all in the present crisis of the
country. He helped to frame the Constitution
which men who now influence and control the
destihies of the country pronounced covenant
nant with death and league with hell" He
labored to establish the Union of States in which
\. Il, LII
ton in all but one-an Union that the men who
now rule the nation say cannot exist part slave
and free notwithstanding il prospered and pro-
crossed in an unparalleled degree for more than
three quarters Of century. WASHINGTON was a
statesman. soldier, patriot and Christian
"frst in war; first in peace and first in the hearts
of his country men. yet he did not regard it in
consistent with his duty to God, to his country
and to mankind to occupy the relation of master
to African slaves. And yet thousands will unite
in commemorative his virtues and patriotism to-
day who pronounce African slavery the sum of
all vilIainies The memory of the Father of his
Country cannot be very deeply enshrined in such
hearts.
Let those, however, who are willing to accept
the character and life, and teachings of WASHING
TON as Examples worthy TO be foIlowed-as a safe
guide for all who sincerely desire to maintain the
the American Union. become imbued with his
spirit and that federation, wisdom and purity
which characterized both his private and public
life, and then may hope that both peace and
union will once more bless the land.
In this connection and as most emineutly
extract from WAsHISGToS's Farewell Address to
his cOuntrymen. They are sentiments peculiarly
applicable to the times:
1t is important, likewise, that the habits of
thinking in free country should inspire caution
i'm those intrusted with its administration to con-
fine themselves within their respective constitu-
tional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the
powers Of one department to encroach upon an
other. The spirit of encroachment tends to
consolidate the powers of all the departments in
one, and thus create. whatever the form of gov
eminent, real despotsm. A Just estimate of
the love Of power and of proneness to abuse il.
which predominates in the human heart, is stuff
cient TO satisfy us of the truth of this position
The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise
of political power, by dividing and distributing
il into different repositories, and constituting
each the Guardian Of the Public Veal against
invasion by the Others, has been evinced by ex
periments ancient and modern; some of them i'm
our own country and under our own eyes. To
preserve them must be as necessary as to institute
them If, in the opinion of the people. the dis
tribution modification of the constitutional
powers be in anv particular wrong, let it be cor
rected by amendment. in the way which the
Constitution designates. But let there be no
change By usurpation; for. though this. in one IN
stance, may be The instrument Of good, 1t is the
customary uOeapon by schiea free Governments are
destroyed. The precedent must always greatly
oyerbalance in permanent evil any partial or
transient benefit which the use can at any time
yield