The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-02-26
THE PAPA OF HIS COUNTRY.
Some Rambling Remarks About G.
Washington and His Little
Birthday.


Washington's birthday put in an
appearance Sunday morning, with
out exciting any lively demonstra
tions of joy in Pulaski. The Papa
Of His Country, like other paternal
personages whose exploits are
stretched over too much ground
and published in serial stories ito
be continued in our next" is wear
ing rather thin in the book of pop
ular remembrance. With the ex-
ception of new boy here and there
who hears that cherry tree yarn for
the first time and doesn't particu-
larly admire the over-virtuous
youngster who told the truth in the
immediate vicinity of "licking,'-
when a fib seemed to be the most
convenient way out of the difficulty,
the Daddy of these UEited States
has rather slender following.
Patriotism is perishable property
and it's traditions, like bananas and
oranges, can't last always. If we
had telephone or other communica-
ton with the late Mr.. Washington
it would afford us pleasure to in
form him that this accounts for the
milk of forgetfulness in his birthday
cocoanut. But we wander from
the subjective often do. 1t is
habit we acquired by listening to
speeches in congress.
g. Washington was q good man;
but he had no talent for journalism,
that's plain, for it is stated, on good
authority, that he couldn't tell lie.
A man infatuated with truth to that
extent couldn't earn his button
holes in a newspaper office. But we
are strolling from the right path
again. Another bad 1abit we picked
up in the company Of congressman.
6. Washington was great man
at least we have heard so once or
twice. At any rate he was the au-
thor of this country, including
Blaine, Conger and Hayes, for
which may the Lord have mercy on
his soul. He put in some good
strokes at the start, but after he had
applied the toe of his boot TO the
bashful lend of the foreign invader
he was foolish enough to tender
congress a two dollar -and-a- half
sword, which it accepted of course,
thus encouraging that body to take
things as fast as they are offered; a
custom which it has religiously OBJ
served to the present day.
Another weak point in George
was that impeachment in his speech
that hesitation in saying things
that C, uldn't be relied on; or, ra-
Their, the habit he had of walking
around lie and neglecting it en-
tirely. Perhaps, if he had uttered
a "whopper" or two he might have
been remembered inPulaskl lastSun-
day. Have any of US forgotten An
anias, that kind old man2 Have
any of US ceased to remember dear
old Sapphire? We guess not.
Truth is valuable commodity, no
doubt; but somehow or other it isn't
the best thing in the world to pol
ish rusty memories with. Men who
love it most are the soonest forgot
ten. We do not expect to be re
membered long ourselves.
Poor George Washington! The
brightest figure in history; the
knightliest man that ever set his
heel on the neck of oppression;
braYe, virtuous and wise; warrior,
statesman and sage-frst in wa,
first in peace-in fact, No. l in
verything he undertook-yet,
strange as it may seem, he is fast
fading from the memory of his
countrymen. His virtues are no
longer initiated; his heroic deeds
are forgotten, the anniversary OF
his birth goes unnOtIced, and when
the few negroes who are named
for him die out. good-by, George.