Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22


where and how the Father Of his Country,
during his lifetime, celebrated the I'D Of
February. This question is answered in an
interesting way in the following article.
To-day is the anniversary Of the birth Of
George Washington-the holiday which the
American nation always celebrates and
always will observe with grateful reverence.
Follow the life of the Father of His Coun-
try, from decade to decade, and you have
complete epitome of his symmetrical career,
in which there was nothing to regret and
everything to praise.
The child Washington was born In PLAIN
farmhouse near small stream called Pope's
creek, hard by its junction with the Poto-
mac, in Virginia, on February %, 1882, in
the fifth year of the reign of George the
Second, then sovereign of these lands. In
this small house, with but four rooms in it,
and with its steep roof with projecting caves
rising but little above the small wilderness
of shrubs, flowers, fig trees and vines which
surrounded it, George Washington passed
the birthdays Of childhood.
Sometimes the birthday celebrations were
enlivened by mimic battles, in which, say
the historians, George was always the COM
mander of one OF the parties"
A MAJOR AT rwENTY-oNE.
His tenth birthday found him quite Q
little soldier. In the year 1742 England and
Spain were striking each other some crash
ing blows, and Georges brother by his
fathers first marriage, Lawrence WASH
ington, held command in the forces which
the colony of Virginia had sent against
Jamaica. Every bit Of news which came
from the troops in the West Indies operated
like an electric shock upon young GeUrge,
and the whole neighborhood was stirred up
by the sham fights which he organized, and
almost invariably won.
Eleven years later we find George WASH
ington bearing the title of Major. He is q
fine, alert, vigorous youth of 21, has re-
Gently come into possession of the fine es-
tate of Mount Vernon, and instead of set
tling down to the lazy comforts of a Well-to-
do planters life, he is starting on a danger
Gus and laborious expedition of exploration
through the almost traekIess wilderness to
the Ohio.
The Governor of the colony sends forth
this youth as commissioner to expOstulate
with the French Or their invasion Of the
British possessions. And Washington goes,
calmly confident, and does his duty with
perfect success.
On Washington's birthday in 1856 we see
him in Boston-then a town of Il. 200 in
habitants. He is received with honor as the
hero of the stirring events of the previous
year-the stern battles in the wilderness
and as the wise adviser of the unfortunate
Braddock. He is commander in chief Of
the forces of Virginia, and a commissioner
to confer with Governor Shirley, of Massa-
chusetts.
FAMOUS AND PROSPEROUS.
His birthday in 1853 is celebrated at his
home of Mount Vernon, whittier he has lust
conveyed his wife. He Is famous; he has
made history in the Northern wilds; has
captured Fort Duquesne; has resigned his
commission and retired to private life. His
estate is little empire. He has legions Of
house servants and field hands, broad lands,
tobacco-drYing sheds, mills for grinding
wheat and Indian eorns He exports tobacco
and flour to England; ships bring to his
wharYes the treasures of London taste and
art; he is prosperous country gentleman.
Ten years more pass lightly over him. He
is a member of the House of Burgesses, he
is still the prosperous planter at Mount
Vernon. but he is more. The 22nd of Feb
ruary, 1772, finds him at home, silently re-
fecting on the great elamor of revolution
abroad in the air, and doubtless feeling the
grave shadow Of his great destiny hanging
over him.
In 1776 his birthday is scarcely noticed
by himself, for be is at the center OF great
events. The Continental Congress has
spoken; the Revolution has begun; WASH
ington is quartered at Cambridge, near Bos-
ton, and Commander in Chief of the Ameri-
can forces. The whole weight Of the vast
revolt is hung about his neck.
His birthday in 1777 comes upon him in
his camp '1n the mill country at Morris
town. Trenton and Princeton and other
victories have added to his renown. Around
him his soldiers, in their log huts, await
the coming of spring to resume operations.
IN SORENESS OF SPIRIT.
And what birthday anniversary in ITS
at Valley Forge! : The Commanders
heart is sore almost to bursting, for the suf-
ferings of his faithful soldiers are awful.
His faithful wife comes to him, and she
writes to friend that 'the General has had
a log cabin built to dine in" Here they
take the birthday dinner together, and after
ward they stand together in the gathering
LWlllRQB,
on the neighboring slopes.
Aud 1880? Again Washington is at Nor.
ristown suffering intensely in common with
all the others. The cold is so intense that
the harbor of New York is frozen over.
does not think of birthday
festivals when his men and horses are liter
ally perishing OF hunger and cold.
Nine years more pass, and at last WASH
ington and his family have moments time
for the celebration of the anniversary. The
chieftain is at Philadelphia; the war is over;
the enemy vanquished; Washington has re-
turned to Mount Vernon; has again entered
public life; he has touched highest honors.
HIS LAST BIRTHDAY FESTIVALS.
Thereafter, the recurrence of his birthday
is Joyful, filled with extravagant demon
strations of praise and respect. Toward the
close of his second term as President, in
1877, his birthday is celebrated in Philadel-
phia sin a manner unequaled before" A
grand ball is given at the Amphitheater in
the evening, at which Washington and his
lady are present. SIT is rendered affecting
beyond all expression" SAYS an eyewitness,
'by its being in some degree a parting
scene. / never saw the President look bet
ter, but his emotions are too powerful to be
concealed"
Washington's last birthday is delight
full one. Nelly Custis is married at Mount
Vernon on the 22d day of February, 1893.
puts on his old continental
blue and buff uniform and escorts the bride
% church.
But when the flowers bud in the hedges
again Washington has gone. He goes out
With the old century, and Europe and
America join in admitting that the stormy
eighteenth century has produced no man
Who is his equal in glory and goodness.
Study the Designs
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