Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-02-25
Tao Pwenty-second Of February.

Again the anniversary Of Washio.tou,s
pirh-lly has come and gone. Msnory cay-
res rs back 10 the childhood. yos,h, and maui
hood Of him who was truly. aud Is yet, we
trust. FIRST in war, FIRST in peace, and FIRST in
the hearts Of his coun.rymen." It's source
Of regret that this day has Of late years been
suffered to 90 by without any proper and uni
versal observation Of l.. Surely il il is meet
70 celebrate the 4th of July as the anniversary
Of our Independence, it is equally fit that We
should constantly keep alive the memory Of
our illustrious father" to whom, under God,
We owe so much as a people But for his IN
exampled prudence and valor we might not
have gained that independence Of which We
are 50 justly proud.
While We write this article, Congress is in
session, and there IS 60 general observance Of
the day in our national capital bearing his IL
lustrious name. Indeed. Of late years, We OBJ
serve with emotions Of no ordinary character,
a growing disposition among some Of our
statesmen and would-be-stateSmen TO under
rate the military ability of Washington. This
may ans, in part, from the vastnesS Of our re-
cent military operations, aud the over-estimate
Of the great generals Of this day. But, we
must estimate Washington by the true light Of
impartial history We are bold to say, then,
that no man Of his times could have so well
and so successfully led the American army 10
victory-nO other general could have so won
and centered the hearts Of the soldiers as he
not one Of them was so well calculated % win
and deserve the respect Of the entire mass Of
his countrymen. Other generals Of his and
other times were deservedly great on account
Of some particular trait Of character-but it
was reserved fer Washington to exhibit a con-
centration Of all the virtues, and ike the lovely
masterpiece Of the Grocian artist. blend them
all 10 one harmonious, unequalled whole.
Had the wise counsels Of Washington, been
Needed, and the prophetic warnings Of his fare
well address been properly felt and appreciated
BY all his c7untrymeu, what a hallowing in
Auence those noble sentiments would have ex-
ercised how potent they would have been in
welding the destinies Of this nation, aud in
svertiug the sad cslami,ies that he so truth
fully predicted!
In this seeming oblivion Of the pastit is
pleasing to note that the Legislature Of Ken
lucky. now in session, has passed 4 series Of
Resolutions breathing a truly patriotic and
Conservative spirit, orderinsa salute Of so many
guns for every State in the union, and one sx-
ira, fr old Virgins, the honored mother Of
Washington.
Some time ago, the Washington National
Monument Society issued circular address
through the Press an over the country, calling
upon the clergy Of all denominations 70 take
up collection on the 2ls; Of February, last
Sundayl TO aid in the conn letion Of the Wash
ington Monument, a, tie Federal Capital Il
is ondly hoped that this appeal will be heard
and molly responded 9, from the rock
ribbed hills OF Maine. to the broad sayanuahs
Of Texas, and from where the Potomac laves
bis quiet res,ing-place, to the golden shores Of
the distant California.