Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-04
HE BROKE THE SHACKLES
AND OPENED THE Door TO THE PRIvI.
LEGEs OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.

"The Father of His Country" was the
subject of Rev. DR.. A. J, Rowland's ser.
mon at Franklin. Square Baptist Church in
Baltimore last Sunday week, the anniver
sary of Washington's birth. He said, In
part:
"We have learned to call Washington
the father of his country, and we know
that in his time he was in the power of his
personal character and influence worth as
much or more than all the armies of the
revolution. 1t will be we'll for US to pause
a moment and learn some of the more pal
pable lessons which may be drawn from his
life and career.
"The war over, there were problems
which had to be solved to which tho ques.
tions involved in the military struggle were
comparatively small. Again the eyes Of
men turued to Washington. He was call
ed from his retirement and made the pres
ident of the constitutional convention. His
presence and calm judgment were the
weights which thrown into the scale
brought order out of the confusion of war
ring interests and angry discussions. His
suggestions we're in many critical moments
the ones which were adopted. It was his
influence which, more than anything else,
determined the form of the organic law of
the infant nation. The laying of the found
ations ia always the most Important part CT
a great enterprise. Thst these foundations
we're 80 broadly and strongly laid is due in
no inconsiderab!e degree to the practical
wisdom and discretion Of Washington.
"Aud now that the constitution Ia at last
adopted and the ship of state has lis sail
ing directions fixed, there is no man in all
the country so fit to take the place of helms
man and steer it out toward the open sea
of future greatness as this same man. 1t
was in the very nature Of things that Geo.
Washington should be the first President.
How well he discharged his trust we all
know. His second term having been
brought to close, he at last retired to his
home overlooking the Potomac, and in
quiet calm peacefully ended his days. His
last words, SO characteristic of the man,
were 1t is well.'
Washington had difficult tssk to par
| form and he did it we'll. Not only were
the burdens of the war great and hard to be
borne but he had enemies and those who
constantly misinterpreted his motives and
actions whom he was obliged to meet.
There were oabals in tho army which did
their bast TO defeat his plans aud secure his
dismissal. The foulest of abuse was heap.
ed upon him. He was tsmpted after the
| final success t0t1eume the prerogatives OF
royalty by over ardent friends. Yet
through all of these difficulties he held his
unselfsh way. He was perhaps not great
man if briliance be the test Of greatness.
His greatness consists rather in the com.
bination OF qualities. But he deserves the
place which history and the calm judgment
of more modern times has given him. The
debt which this land of civil and religious
fresd6m oNes to him it will never be able
fully b pay Washugtln broke for Us the
shachks of po1sical and religious Tyranny
and opened 10 man the door to the pr,vi.
leges Of Aherican iustisntions, the nnblest
and best that men haveyet enjoyed"