The National tribune., 1889-02-21
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

AS the Church has its canonized saints so
the Nation has its roll of heroes. Among
these stands out first of all he who is remem-
bered in our Nation specially on Feb 22d of
each year.
There is great benefit in considering the
lessons which are to be learned from study
ing the life of the leading founder of our
country. The lives of all good and great
men are worthy our examination and iml-
tation. Biography is fertile source of in
struction and specially serviceable to the
youth of our land The purpose of desig-
mating Feb. 22d in honor of Washington is
to keep his memory fresh in the minds of
American young men as an inspiration to
them.
From national standpoint the written
lives of Christian statesmen and soldiers are
Of great value. They should be kept bright
ened by constant perusal. Religion and
the State interdepend. Having a part
to play in governmental matters, we should
become familiar with the memoirs of men
once prominent Christian officials. The
Church is so dependent on the State that
even the pulpit needs no apology for magni-
| flying the Christian example of Washington
and urging imitation. 1t is well so many min
listers in our land take occasion on or about
the 22d of February to impress on their
congregations the grand moral and religious
lessons suggested by the life of Washington.
And the press, always concerned for the pub
lie good, would be untrue to itself if lacking
in editorial interest when so grand an oppor-
tunity presents itself for enforcing great
national principles.
The life of Washington is specially
worthy of minute investigation. We do not
wonder Lord Brougham once said:
1t will be the duty of the historian and the sage
of all nations to let no occasion pass of comment
Grating this illustrious man, and until time shall be
no more will test of the progress which our race
has made in wisdom and virtue be derived from
the generation paid to the immortal name of
| washington.
Washington Irving felt this truth so
deeply that he wrote thus:
The fame of Washington stands apart from every
other in history; shining with truer luster and a
more benignant glory. With us his memory re-
mains national property, where all sympthies
throughout our widely-extended and diversified
empire meet in unison Under all discussions and
amid all the storms of party his precepts and ex-
ample speak to US from the grave with paternal
appeal; and his name-by all revered-forms a
universal tie of brotherhood-a watchword of our
Union.
Washington yet lives. He is becoming
every year more and more dear to Americans
In heroic and mythical age he would have
been long ago god, for whom affairs would
have been constructed and shrines conse-
Grated.
The time to give special attention to his
memory may well be the anniversary of his
birth. That was fortunate day for our
land and world, indeed which gave life to the
Yirginian infant of Westmoreland County
and we cannot fail of benefit in devoting ont
day each year Feb. 90 to study of his life
, and the enforcement of his example.
We commend the custom of calling to
, remembrance great men of bygone days
The practice of celebrating their memories
is not only profitable but beautiful. Valu
able uses can be made of their lives TIL,
! paying to their memories such respect tends
} also to cultivate in US reverence. Much be
/ side is found to help and encourage US whc
, still live. They kindle in US aspirations fol
i the good They bid for excellence in us
showing how it is appreciated by following
generations 1t is well that great mel
? should be made to live after they are dead
Blot out the memories, words and acts o
l the eminent of the past, and our worlt
: would be painfully impoverished. Let u
4 study the lives of our Nations Representative,
l men. They show us the possibilities 0
e humanity. If we be laggards, their memo
d ries are to US as spurs to the lazy horse. /
t man cannot study the memoir of Washing
y ton without waking up to grander ideals 0
e life, nobler impulses, broader views.
After the sweep of 157 years Washington
C is as dear to American hearts as ever. 1t
e curious that while all the crowned heads G
/ his day are comparatively unknown her
Y and even in their own lands, Washington i
3 a conspicuous character in every civilize
e country. The Bourbon of France and tn
: King of England during the days of Wash
S, ington are quite forgotten, but our com
rs moner, our former President, has hold o
d the world His is dear name to thousand
in aristocratic and mOnarchic lands FC
over 100 years he has been working himse
into the hearts of mankind as sort
n leaven, raising people up to aspirations ft
'e civil liberty. But specially in these Unite
States is Washington's memory cherishe
with a love somewhat akin to worshi
90 Richard Henry Lee said the truth Whe