San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-05-23
The Popular idea OF Washington.

Inere can De no DOUBT as 10 Tue
fact that the American people have O
profound reverence for the name and
character Of Washington. He repre-
sents to them the idea OF true patriot
ism and unselfish devotion to duty
and principle, Time has served to
confirm the best estimates that we're
made of him while he lived, and in
all other countries as we'll as in his
own there is a conclusive recognition
OF his right to place among the i'm
mortals. But at the same time, We
do not take exactly the same view OF
him that was held say fifty years ago
The habit of apotheosis does not pre-
vail with regard to him as il did at
an earlier day. We are more inclined
to take account Of those traits which
made him man like other men than
was formerly the custom, and thus to
disparage the notion of celebrating
him as demi-god. There was q
time when popular veneration iso'
lated him and resolved him into q
figure that must be approached with
practical forgetfulness that he had
ever really belonged to the human
race; but we have outgrown that
irrational form of homage, and are
now able to look at him in q way
which brings him closer to us and re-
veals the actual man instead of the
ideal substitute.
This change has come about by
reason mainly of increased opportun.
tiles of comparison, and increased
obligations of honor and gratitude to
later heroes and benefactors. It is
very difficult, if not impossible, for
us to believe that Washington's mill
tary services were Of greater excel
lence and value than those rendered
by Grant, or that he was from any
point of view O wiser and better man
than Lincoln. This does not imply
that history has oyerrated him, or
that he does not deserve ev erlasting
remembrance for the part he bore in
the work of achieving independence
and establishing the government. 1t
only signifies that he is not entitled
to monopoly of national affection,
and is not properly to be set apart
as the only man Of frstclass ability
and virtue that the country has ever
produced. He was unquestionably
the best equipped man of his time
for leadership in the events of that
time; but we may say as much oi
those other splendid leaders in O more
recent and not less important and
exacting period. 1t can do MS no
harm to bear in mind the indisput-
able fact that when all is considered
that can possibly be claimed for him,
there still remains record OF things
done since his day which are fully
equal in every respect to any that he
accomplished.
The point of chief interest, how
ever, lies in the manifest tendency to
dispense with superstition in dealing
with Washington merits, and to in.
sist upon the theory that full justice
may be done him without exalting
him 80 high Gin sure and fawless
welfare of repose" as to take away the
human part of his life and character.
1t can not injure his fame or lessen
his hold upon the popular heart and
imagination to treat him with that
familiarity which causes man to be
seen as he actually WINS. having GER
tain virtues and certain faults, s,accord-
ing to the general philosophy of ex-
istence in this world of mingled good
and i'll. Washington was not i'm
maculate. He was perhaps as nearly
so as the conditions permitted, or as
his career demanded; but at times he
betrayed the usual weakness of man.
kind, and allowed himself to act very
much like a being Of ordinary clay.
History tells us plainly thot he could
be profane under reasonable provo
cation, that he liked an occasional
glass of rum, and that he enjoyed
game of cards now and then for small
stakes. 1t is not to be dis.
puted that he bought lottery
tickets; and when we say heaven
left him childless that all the land
might call him father, it does not
follow that he was exempt from
common passions and temptations
We can honor and reverence him
quite enough, and still acknowledge
bis kinship TO the rest Of his country
men in respect of minor imperfections
which did not prevent him from liv-
ing a grand life and setting a great
example of courage, fortitude and
wisdom in the service Of freedom and
ciyilizatioD.-GLObe- Democrat.