Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-23
TAsHINGTONs BlRTHDAY

birth of George Washington. born III i.'@
on the banks Of the Potomac Nearly
century, and a half have rolled away since
his birth, now one of the memoraoie events
intbc history of mankind. Americans are
not alone in celebrating his nativity; IN
II, countries and among all peoples where
the hope of freedom is cherished and noble
deeds are admired, the name OF Washlhg-
ton holds the first place, and the annlVer-
sarv of his birth is observed as that OF one
of the worlds greatest benefactors. 1here
is this remarkable fact about the lame Vi
Washington, that the older 1t grows 'ne
brighter it becomes and the "ioe' Il
snreads At first it was confined to Amerl-
"a Int as the full significance and value
of the work which he accomplished ana
tho ,rue beroism and noblcness Of his char
acter came TO be understood in other coun-
tries. they saw and acknowledged that the
influence of his labors was as wide as hui
manity. and so to-day he is mentioned ev-
erywhere with reverence. His name IN
spires every movement against despotism.
He is the star toward which those who seek
liberty cast their eyes. His example is po-
tent in Spain and France. Even the Chr
nese read his history, and his story is not
unknown to the peasantry of Russia. The
false splendor that hangs around the Alex
anders and Caesars and Napoleons fades
as time reveals their true character more
plainly, but Washington's glory will never
grow dim, but increase in brilliancy rs the
ages roll On.
Beside the sterling character, the gifts
of body and mind, physical, mental and
moral. the part which Washington was
called upon to act made him the leader
the successful leader in a new era,-that
of the enfranchisement of the people from
kipglv power, the overthrow of the pur-
pie, and the assumption by the masses OF
their natural right to govern themselves.
This leadership of Washington in human
affairs is noticed by Bancroft. the histo-
rian. He says: 'At the very time OF the
Congress of AK La Chapelle, the woods
of Virginia sheltered the youthful George
Washington, the son Of a widow. Born
by the Potomac, beneath the roof of a
Westmoreland farmer, almost from In
fancy his lot had been the lot OF an orphan
No academy had welcomed him to its
shades; no college crowned him with its
honors to read, to write, to cipher, these
had been his degrees in knowledge. Ano
now, at sixteen years of age, in quest Of
an honest maintenance, encountering in
tolerable toll; cheered onward by being
able TO write to schoolboy friend, Deal
Richard, a doubloon is my constant gar
every day, and sometimes six pistoles;
himself his own cook. having no spit bu
forked stick, no plate but large chip
roaming over spurs of the Alleghanies
and along the banks of the Shenandoah
alive to nature, and sometimes spending
the best of the day in admiring the trees
and richness of the land ) among skin-clad
sayages, with their scalps and rattles, OF
uncouth emigrants, that would never
speak English; rarely sleeping in bed
holding bearskin splendid couch; glac
of resting-place for the night upon
little hay, straw. or fodder, and often
camping in the forests, where the place
nearest the fire was happy luxury =
this STRIPPING surveyor in the woods, with
no companion but his unletterod asso-
ciates, and no implements of science but
his compass and chain, contrasted strange
ly with the imperial magnificencc of the
Congress of AK La Chapele. And yet
God had selected, not KannitZ. or New
castle, not monarch of the house OF
Hapsburg, not of Hanover, but the Nir-
ginia STRIPPING, to give an impulse to
human affairs, and, as far as events can
depend on an individual, had placed the
rights and the destinies of countless mill
ions in the keeping of the widows SON."
Who wonders that Americans are proud
ofGeorge Washington, or that the Cypress
ed of other nations invoke his name in
their behalfP His character shonld be Il
study in every school in our land, his life
be found in every home next to the bible,
his patriotic acts in field and council be
the constant guide and stimulus OF our
public men. Since the Saviour no man
seems to have been more directly led by
a divine hand than he. He was the Moses
that | ed the oppressed OF America from
bondage, and still his name leads the hosts
struggling with tyranny and injustice
On this anniversary which brings his life
before us airesh, let us consider his noble
career, the power which it has exerted
and gather from the review strength tc
aid us in going forward with life's work
The day should pass into the calendar Of
great events, TO be conmemorated with
general rejoi ling wherever liberty reigEs
and greatness is appreciated.
CHANG AND ENG.
From the Philadelphia Medical Times.
In the present article it is not purposed to