Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-27
LESSON OF WASHINGTON
AN ELOQUENT ADDRESS By Ex-
PhhsIDEN? CLETELARD
The Dangers OF the P0Iiutinx In
fIucnces or Money One Of the cx-
Presidents sCharactertsticaiiy Abio
DcIivoTanccs.

New York, Saturday night, and was |
largely attended. El-Pfeaident Olaye-
land responded 10 the toast, .Ihe Birth |
day of George Washington" and said
II is sometimes SAT-! ot ne that wo have |
too few holidays, and tb.e petheps ir
true. We do not boast the antiquity nor |
the long history which Accumulpteh
numerous days OF national civic oesars- |
Enoe; and the rush Gnd scit,ity OF our |
peoples life are not favorable 10 that |
conservative and deliberate sentiment !
which creates and establishes holidays.
SO far as suoh days might commemorate
the existence or achievements Of some
conspicuous parsonage, their infrequency
may bs largely attributed 90 our demo-
cratic spirit and the presumption erihing
from our institutions. In this land OF
ours-owned, possessed and governed by
the people-we, in theory, OF lsast, de-
mand and expect that every man Will, in
his sphere, DO patriot, Rnd that every
faculty OF greatness and usefulness with
which he is endowed will be devoted to
his country and his fellow-mRn. We
have had no denrth of distinguished
men and no better heroism has anywhere
been soen than here. But they belong
30 naturally to us that we usually deem
them sufficiently noticed and commemor-
ated when they are ackuowled as contrib
utor8 TO the common fund of our national
pride and glory.
Thus it happens that in this country
but two birthdsysare publicly celebrated.
We reverentiy speak of one as the day
when the Redeemer of Mankind appeared
among men. On the other the man was
born whose mission II was to redeem the
American peopls from bondage and de-
pendence, and to display to the world
the possibility of popular seif-govern-
ment.
1t would be strange indeed, il this day
should over be neglected by our fellow
countrymen. 1t would be like o nations
blotting out the history which cements
it's governmental editice or expuneing its
traditions from which flow that patriotic
love and devotion Of its people, which
are the best guarantees of peaceful rule
and popular contentment.
We certainly need at least ono day
which shall recall to our minds the truth
that the price of our COUNTRY was un-
selfish labor and sacrifice, that men
fought ard suffered thet we might be
free end that love and American brother
hood are necessary elements to the full
and continued enjoyment Of American
freedom, prosperity and happiness.
We are apt 10 forget these things in
our engrossment win the activities which
attend the development of our country
and in the impetuous race after wealth,
which has become q characteristic of our
people. There is danger that We may
grow Needless Of the fact that our insti-
buttons are precious legacy, which, for
their own sake, should be jealously
watched and guarded, and thera is dan
ger that this condition may induce self
iahness and sor.idness, followed by tho
ideA that patriotism and morality have
no place in statecraft, and that politi-
cal career may be entered upon like any
other trade for private profit and adyan-
tage.
l'his frigh ful departure from the
doctrines upon which our institutions
rest and surely il is the extreme of folly
to hope that our scheme OF government
will AFFECT its purpose and intent when
every condition OF its birth and life is meg
leotcd.
Point to your immense fortunes il you
will 4 point to your national growth and
prosperity; boast of tine day of practical
politics; and diacard as obsolete NIL senti-
Inent and all conception of morality and
patriotism In public life, but do not for 0
moment deluds yourself into tho belief
that you are navigating in the game
course marked out by those who launched
and blessed the ship of state.
We need in our public and private life
such pure and chaSteped sentiments ns
result from the eincere and heartfelt OBJ
BetyInce of days like this, and we need
such 9uickening of our patriotism as The
gedate contemplation OF the lite and
character OF Washington creates.
a Most Of all, because it includes all, we
need u better appreciation Of true Alaeri
can citizenship. l do not moan by this
that thoughslesa pride Of county which
is everywhere assumed, sometimes with
out sincerity, nor that eordid atteohmen
born of benefits received or iayora ex
pected, but that deep and sentimentR
love for our citizenship which flows from
the consciOuauesa that the blessing o
heaven was invoked Mt its birth that i
was nurtured in tho faith Of God, ant
that it grew strong in the SELF do. YIN
patriotism cf our fathers and in thel
love of mankind.
Such al apprehension OF American cit
igenship will cousecrRte Us I'LL to the die
interested service of tho country and III
cite us 10 drive from the temple OF on
liberties tbs money changeIs who bu.
and sell.
Washington was the most Thorough
American that ever lived. HIS sWOIi
NIaa drawn to carve American cltizsDship
and bis every act aud public service Va
SR.eoted 10 isa establishments. he cor
semptuouBly spurncd tho offer Of Aing
power, aud never falterad il his hope /
make most honorable the man who eoul
justly call himself an american.
In tho most solemn manner he watpe
his countfymsn against any attack upo
tine uGity Of the government, and calIe
upon them to irown Indignantly upo
any Rtte pit 10 alionate any portion c
the country from the rest, or to enfeebl
the sacred ties that linked together th
various parts.
HiI admonltiop reached the climax /.
its power and force when he Eaid:
"Oitizena by birth or choice of con
mon country, tina. country has righ.
concentrate your affections. The nan
of American whioE belongs to son
your national capacity, nust alTay $ ens
the just pride of patriotism more ths
than any application derived from All
local DETERMINATIONS"
In an evil hour and amid Tage and r
sentiment the warning OF Washingto
was disregarLed and tne unity of oi
government attacked. In blood aud d
vast,tion it was saved, and the name
"Anerican," which belonged to all of q
waB rescued. From the gloom, desoi
lion and estrRnRement all our eountr
men were drawn again to their places
the mystic bond OF American citizenshi
which for all time to come shall hold al