Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-22
u,,su1NeroN,s BIRTHDAY.

On the 22d day of February, l'o-' III
tbe wilds of Virginia, was born the great
es, man who has lived in modern times
Lord Brougham, himself great man.
has said of Washington, that all nations
will come to be regarded in proportion
az they shall kneel at his shrine In his
admirable work, the Memoirs of States
men he ascribes to Washington certain
Qualities and remarks that if they con-
s,;trte greatness, then Washington was
tbe greatest man that ever lived 1t is
certain that no other mans character
was ever more respected, and no other
mans influence has gone so far and pro-
duced results so great to the human fam
;lv It is not difficult TO pick flaws IN
the characters of the world 5 most
renowned men, whether they were
statesmen, philosophers, poets or d.
vines: but neither the ingenuity
of criticism, nor the inexorable
logic of analysis, has been able to PICK
n flaw in the character of Washington
The world for half a century has re-
garded him as nearly perfect, as nearly
fanltless as man can be. That he was
only human, subjected his character to
this qualification. 1t was his singular
felicity to have been born on CONT
nent not yet explored, and appearing
mon the map of the world only as SO
much territory washed by so much water
a wilderness, the home Of savages and
wild beasts; possessing no schools mt to
be called seats of learning three thou
sand miles distant from the refined and
cultivated civilization Of Europe, sand
ont of the reach of the influence OF the
dynasties and systems ofthe world. That
such a man should have appeared IN
such a country under such circumstances
has been a marvel and a mystery.
Coming to mature years in the midst Of
the wild scenes of the border, and among
the mountains, at time when the feeble
colonies we're breaking down under the
exactions of England, it was his felicity
to be recognized as the person OF al
others best adapted to lead revolution
and to become the hero Of liberty.
His praise has been sounded in every
land. and the world is never weared o
It. The more his character is investi
gated the brighter it shines. By com
mon consent Of mankind, he IS thel
greatest character. The sun shines upol
no spot of earth that has not heard
him and recognized his superiority.
is only in this day of bad men an
corrupt governments that his exampi
aud teachings have been neglected
He was too pure, too lofty, too n'
bic 10 please the sons Of rapine an
plumber. He was too just to ehalleng
the regard Of those who will rob
citizen of his liberty, while they despo
him of his property. And, surveyin
this great character, so spotless, SO gran
and so good, and turning to those VIII
conduct our affairs and aspire to grea
ness, how shriveled, how dwarfed the
appear They affect to yenerate II
dust of Mount Vernon, while they tramp
on the principles of its dead mastc
They appeal to his precepts, and comm
public wrongs on the pretense that the
are carrying them out They read h
Farewell Address and quote his polite
maxims, while they desolate and bind
chains the State that gave him brit
They are unworthy to claim him as the
countryman They are too mean
share in the glory he has left upon I
annals of his country and Ct the worl