The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-02-23

his credit for patriotism, wisdom and
courage for enterprise and prudence,
integrity, simple dignity of character,
tact and forbearance, and above all
for serene fortitude in the dark hours
of his cause under trials from the per-
versity, insubordination, jealousy and
perfidy of those around him-seyerer
than any defeat. The other
army leaders caballed against him,
aided by politicians. Washington
bore the attacks magnanimously,
never allowing his personal wrongs to
interfere with his duty, nor ever
thinking of abandoning his post It
is interesting to know that Washing
ton left the service of Great Britain be-
cause he found no prospect of promo
ton over the petted officers sent from
England, and he may be fully par
doned for any sense of triumph he may
have enjoyed in the defeat of these
overbearing, naughty royal favorites.
George Washington was born in
Westmoreland county, Va, on this
day in the year 1882. We are cele-
brating the 162d anniversary of his
birth. In the French and Indian war
he was advanced to the grade of coll
onel and commander-in-ch n-chief of the
Virginia forces.
The general anxiety in the conti-
mental Congress to keep Virginia
steady ia resistance to the crown in
duced his appointment as commander
in. chief of the American forces, June
15, 1875. The character of no other
public man of the time can be so pro-
fitably and creditably examined.
There was nothing little in him.
Whatever motives may have gov
erned his appointments he rapidly
proved his extraordinary fitness for
tha Y,Iana an6 honap1a tha srraof anA
central figure of the revolution. Great
in defeat, he was greater still in sue
cess, and the crowning feat of his
military career was his surrender of
his commission to Congress at the
close of the war.
A number of his influential officers
had but recently suggested the forma-
ton of monarchy with himself as
king, and his indignant refusal and
stern rebuke was the example set
which resulted in the peaceable dis
solution of the army and sent his men
back to their homes and peaceful pur-
suits.
Without intrenching upon the fields
set apart to your other speakers,
cannot pass this incident without
pointing to its application to all men.
The truly great are always the freest
from anything approaching self inter-
est, and those in your country today
who achieve the most are those who
strive for selfish ends the least.
This then was the military hero of
the war, the man who calmly but
with unwavering determination over
came the strivings of factions, the
mercenary spirit, indifference and
wavering of our fOrefathers and forced
them to follow him to greater and
more glorious achievement than ever
mortal dreamed.
There were of course many Incl
dents and elements that assisted in
the defeat of the English forces. 1t
was Napoleon who said that battles
were won not so much by the prowess
of the victors as through the mistakes
of the defeated. In the first place
England was greatly weakened by the
struggles in Europe which rendered it
necessary to hire the Hessians and
other European mercenaries to SUBJ
due the colonies, while her own men
were kept at home and on the conti-
nent. No man can fight as when his
patriotism is involved. Again the
vast number of friends the colonists
had at home greatly reduced the spirit
of the English commanders and added
to the determination of the revoIu-
tionists you know from your own
recent experience, the strength that
comes from support Of this kind.
Finally the assistance from France,
inspired not by any real sympathy
with the principles involved but by
hatred of England.
Splendid as was the heroism dis
played in the revolution and the re-
bellion the American people earned its
greatest distinction from the manner
in which after these events, it return
Q6 H..il Of
busy domestic and mercantile cares.
No man so great "a he who over
comes himself and the natural in
stinct for excitement aud renown.
The inspiring lessons we may learn
from Washington's purely military
career are gathered from his strong
judgment, good sense, calmness and
patience, and the consciousness of
right and strength with absolute free
dom from self.seeking in any form.
These are the qualities that make up
the soldier of any and every rank who
deserves and achieves success.
Fellow citizens, our contest on a
smaller scale for the same freedom as
that sought by Washington and his
followers is nearly ended. Within g
brief time we shall be removed from
fear of any enemy, but, shall / say it?
but ourselves. But this one we too
must overcome and for the bright
future of Hawaii there Will be as
grand beginning as that one which
owes it's chief brilliance to George
Washington. Unitedly with only
patriotic enthusiasm for the good of
all, we too may lay aside the sword
and found a republic which shall
achieve in its own way and let us
hope under the auspices of the same
starry banner, common liberty, COM
mon prosperity and the enlighten-
ment of the Pacific seas.
The band played another selec-
tion, and w. G. Smith was then
presented. His subject was "Wash-
ingtou as a Statesman"
Mr. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GEN.