Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-02-22
CHINA
! DINNER SETS,
t85 pieces, for $40.
sPECIALTIEs;
Bar Fixtures. Mirrors, etc.
ouadruple-plated Knives. castoFs stc.
Hotel and Steamboat Ware.
@. N. ERICH,
ssI MAIN STREET, Memphis, Tenn.
6lt
wAsH1NGToN's NATAL DAY.


George Washington was born on the
22d of February, 1872, in Westmore.
land county, Virginia, one hundred
and forty-nine years ago to day. He
died at Mount Vernon after an illness
of only about twenty. four hours, on
Saturday, the 14th of December, 1899.
The news did not travel as rapidly
then as now. His death was not an
nounced in congress until the
18th. Both houses Immediately
adjourned. 1t was on the 18th
that John Marshall delivered his brief
\ but famous eulogy on Washington
when ne presented the following reso-
lutions in the house of representa-
: tives. 81. That this house will wait on
the president in coincidence of the
sorrowlul event. 2. That the speak
er's chair be shrouded with black and
that The members and officers of the
house wear black during the session.
3. That committee in conjunction
with one from the senate be appointed
to consider on the most suitable
manner Of paying honor to the
memory Of the man first in war, first
in peace and first in the hearts Of his
fellow citizens" Washington was
buried with military and Masonic
honors on Wednesday following his
death. His birthday has generally
been observed ever since with more or
less respect and ceremony. And yet,
in the rush of events, how few take
time to read bis life carefully or to
think of the vast influence his life
and character had upon this country
and mankind at large. His name has
been honored in every civilized land.
Even Bonaparte rendered unusu-
al honors to the name Of
Washington soon after the
event of his death became known
in France, and to-day a splendid
painting Of Washington and Count de
Rochambeau receiving the surrender
of Lord Corvallis, at Yorktown, may
be seen in the palace at Versailles.
Bonaparte, then first consul, issued
an order to the army In which he said:
"Washington is dead This great
man fought against tyranny; he estab-
the liberty of his country. His mem
orr will always be dear to the French
people, as it will be to all freemen Of the
two worlds; and especially to French
soldiers who like him and the Amer
ican soldiers have combatted for liberty
and equality" Grape was ordered to
be suspended from all the flags and
standards throughout the republic
for ten days, and imposing cere-
monies took place in the Champ de
Mars. The life of Washington, in
cluding a synopsis ofhis writings, was
set forth very clearly in work of
twelve large volumes, prepared by
Sparks, and issued about the year
1887. Washington was very sys-
tematic man, Very little that he ever
wrote or dictated was lost. His
original papers, amounting to
over two hundred folio vol
umes, were purchased by congress
and deposited in the archives at
\ Washington. Mr.. Sparks had access
to these, and all other documents re.
lating to Washington's life, and spent
ten years in bringing out the work.
Although voluIhinous, it is a model OF
system and conciseness, but owing to
its bulk it never obtained general cir
culation. The life of George Wash
ington has been written by many
others, and is in the reach of
all in some form. 1t can
be studied to advantage by
by'all, from the sChoolbOy just begin
ming to dream of life's realities and
possibilities to the statesman in the
meridia2 Of life. We have had but few,
ifany, WaShingtons since. Such truly
good and great men appear only at
long intervals. But so long as the
precepts of Washington are observed
and his virtues emulated the liberties
of the people are safe, and Individual
prosperity and happiness will follow
national glory.