The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-04-30

On December 25th he broke the ice of
the Delaware, which defied the foot of
man, and conquering the raging elements
III his progress by the aid of his answered
prayer that was lifted up above the war
ring winds and SHOWS, he so made his
little army the terror of outnumbering
Toes that soon he gained the victories of
trenton and Princeton. Then the Flag
OF Revolution was haloed with new glory
at Brandywlne, at Germantown, on Mon
mouths Plains, at fateful Saratoga,
where the banner of the Stars and Stripes
was first baptized in battle. And then,
IN 178l, after surmounting obstacles
which would have appalled, lesser man,
his hero's hand and soldiers valor arched
the rainbow Of great Republics pro-
gress by the capture of CORVALLIS at
Yorktown.
Thus, Liberty, guarded by Washington,
struck down oppression. And the swift
march to greatness of the colonies
exacted homage from a world. What a
career of glory, oh, citizens, was
this lllustrious, soldiers! The wis
dom of his choice by the Continental
Congress to command its armies was
shown in redeemed, regenerated country
in the birth of Liberty-in the majesty
of Power-in order established-in the
reign of Law. There were others en-
titled to be laureled, but he dwarfed
them all. Moving in his own orbit, he
impaired heat and light to his most dis
tant satellites" 1t was this Washington
who not only led the colonies into Sc
curity and peace, but he it was who made
possible those great words of the Declar-
alton: "We hold these truths TO be self
evident; that all men are created equals,
and that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights;
that among these are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness" 1t was Washing
ton who made possible and true those
craven words upon that colossal gift from
generous France, which lifts Its grace at
the American gateway of the worlds
commerce, Liberty Enlightening the
World" 1t was our Washington who
made possible the true grandeur of the
Constitution.
From the 18th of September, 1881, the
day the surrendered sword of Lord Corn
wallis made it possible for him to think
of retiring to his peaceful fireside, Wash
ington was in constant council with
eminent patriots as to the peoples well
fare. He knew not rest.
On the 23d of December, 1873, lie re
signed his position as commander-in-
Culcl VI lAc A1ub II
his martial tolls were ended, his invalu-
able parental advice was still sought, and
while he was exercising in his Potomac
home those private virtues which shed
such radiance on his public acts, he was
summoned again, in 1786, to be delegate
to the convention which framed that
great instrument which defends the
dearest rights of highest and humblest,
which protects the public liberties and
which has secured the glory of the Ameri-
can republic. He was its President, its
inspiration, among such sages as Patrick
Henry, Benjamin Franklin, james Madi-
son. Alexander Hamilton, and Morris,
and Pinckney, and King, and Carroll, and
their peers.
Cicero tells us that the boys of Rome
were made to learn by heart the famous
''twelve tables" to imprint on their
tender minds early knowledge of their
country's laws. How much more indis-
pensable is the knowledge to our Ameri
can youth of the blood-bought charter of
our rights! Destroy it and where are we?
In what condition to-day would have
been our people had not Washington's
wisdom and sublime moderation induced
its preparation, his counsels compelled
its benefcent provisions? What if it had
been frittered away? What if it had al
lowed a dissolution at will of the bonds
uniting the states? Union was, then, as
1t Is nOlU, the only safeguard for liberty.
A Union resting not only on the parti-
ton of powers among legislative and
executive departments, but also on the
distribution of powers between the States
and Nation, each deriving their original
authority from the people, and exercis-
ing that authority for the people. Study
the Declaration and we find that by its
express words 1t made the act of separa-
ton from the British Empire a dissolv-
ing by "One people, of the political
bands which had bound them with one
another. And the proclamation of the
right and fact of independent nation
ality, was, ''that these United Colonies
are, and of right ought to be, free and in
dependent states" Independence and
Union, were then by one stroke of the
pen decreed and created.
But with his life work his fellow-citi-
zens were not yet satisfied, nor the full
measure of national felicity yet attained
Washington must do more. He must
adorn the highest Office in the gift of the
people, and be the young republics first
President. With that Distinguishing
modesty which was lamp to his merit
he obeyed the call of his countrymen
and on the Both day of April, 1889. he
took the oath of Office in the city of New
York, and delivered that inaugural ad-
dress which stands a classic in our his
tory. Its prevailing characteristic is that
golden cleaning thread of patriotic fervol
which runs from its first to its last word
upon which are strung all his humble es-
Inmates of himself, all his zeal and sacri-
fee for his country's veal.
Great as was his intellect, his character
was higher. He was broad as the world
for freedom and for man. Knowing
nothing base, therefore he feared nothing
known. Like instincts, unawares, great
thoughts and feelings came to him. AS
his aims were lofty his means to secure
them were always pure. His frmness IL
adverse as well as in prosperous circum-
stances, his forbearance, his fortitude
his patience, his love of right, proved OF
more solid advantage to his country than
his courage or his talents. In wisdom
he had the greatness of all his fellows
united in one. AS a soldier he un'
derstood practical strategy and never
emerged from sore ordeal that he die
not revive his command by some often
sive return. His martial record ranks
him with the great captains of the cent
ury. In war he believed that blood
should only be shed for country or fol
kind; all else was crime.
He had his foes, Who has not? "Tht
man that makes a character makes
enemies" There is no nation where his
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