Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-22
The Fafher OF Hls County,.

Inc fafhor OF his County,
II is not likely that our country viii
ever produce man who will take his
forical precedence over GEoBdE WAsHSe-
TON. As the founder Of our great family
of States he Attmned an eminence which
no one can hope 10 excel.
II was ventures0me tack that he
undertook when he babe defiance 70
royal authority and assumed command
of the "insurgents" and started forth
upon campaign for independence.
That step made him chief Of the
rebels" Had the movement failed he
least Of oil men could have hoped for
pardon. There is exceeding probability
that had the oolonists been overwhelmed
WAsHSoroS would have been marched to
the scaffold. His leadership and the de-
yotion of the people secured different re-
suit, and the title of Father OF His Coun-
try was honestly won by him.
II has been one hundred and fifty-nine
years since his birth and ninety-two since
his death. When he went to his grave the
United States had but 100000 people;
now the population is over 62,OOO,OOO. We
have become q rich and powerful nation
aud the day of small beginnings is often
forgotten, il not utterly despised. Little
we think now Of the suferings OF the pa
triot army during the seven years of that
bloody war during which our troops were
often without sufficient food or clothes,
and when it was their lot not only
20 face the hardships and dangers
Of the field, but when they had to
contemplate the horrid possibility OF de-
feat. The enterprise in which WASHINGTON
was engaged was hazardous and the full
peril of 1t must have been realized by our
people who had just loosed themselves
from allegiance 10 the British monarchy.
All these things must be considered in
estimating our indebtedness to WASHING
TON &C his men.
II was the happy fortune Of Virginia to
have been the State Of his birth. and we
above all other people should reverence his
memory. As his natal anniversary falls on
to-day the observance of it will take place
tomorrow, and we are glad 10 note that
In Richmond and in many other places in
this State suitable programmes have been
arranged, which will for the moment at
least bring to mind one OF the greatest and
purest characters in all history.
1t is little singular that though WASH
IxaroS upon his visit to Richmond in 1854
left upon record his hope that this
growing city may enjoy the benefits which
are TO be derived from liberty, independ-
ence, and peace that it may improve such
of the advantages as bountiful nature has
bestowed, and that it may soon be ranked
among the first in the Union for popula-
ton, commerce, and wealth." we have
named no great street OF park after him.
Other Revolutionary heroes have been
suitably remembered in this respect, but
the only street to which the name of the
father Of his country has been given is
one Of little length or importance, and Is
In a section not often visited by strangers.
The suggestion has been made that we
should rectify this omission by changing
the name of Main street to Washington
avenue. 1t is argued that by this means
we could remedy, our unintentional ne
elect and at the Same time provide the
main street. Of the town with dignihed
name.
In the way Of monuments Richmond is
better off. but not through her own enter
prise. HoUDoN's statue in the "rotunda"
of the Capitol, "a fac smile Of WASHING
rox's person, )" was made upon the order Of
The General Assembly, and must always
be named first among the standard like
nesses" Of him. Our Washington monu-
ment is the product of the joint labors and
appropriations Of the Washington Monu-
mont Association and the General Assembly
Of Virginia.
WASHINGTON died on tho 14th of Decem-
Der, 1898, and the funeral took place on the
18TH. Congress was then in session at
Philadelphia, and the news of the death
only reached there on the day of the fune-
raj. Next morning JOHN MARSHALL an
nounoed the death in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, concluding his tribute with
resolutions prepared by RICHARD HENRY
LEE. which contained the grand words
that have ever since been associated with
WASHINGTON, First in war, first in peace,
and first in the hearts Of his fellow-eiti-
E6nS. GtutIhl Ike HipAOuANNN - SoASb|
"by request Of both houses OF Congress on
December 26th, in which he changed the
last word of his own famous phrase to
countrymen,' and it is so given in the
eulogy as published by Congress" Mean
time Congress recommended that on the
next 22d of February the people of the
country should in their several localities
meet and testify their grief for their dead
hero. This was the origin Of this general
holiday.
A suitable observance Of WAsHNaToN's
birthday viii carry us back to 1.-THE better
days Of the republic" when the country's
future was just beginning TO unfold like a
splendid panorama, and when the rebels
who survived the war had just blossomed
into patriot fathers"
In that great struggle Virginia not only
furnished the leader, but thousands Of man
and millions Of money. There is no dis
pute as to our glorious share in it. There
fore, LET as rejoice and make glad at the re-
turn Of this day.