The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-23
THE RATCHET IS A MYTH.
Judge Hiram Knowles Lectures on
George Washington at the
Auditorium.
An Entertaining Discourse on the
Great Father Of the
Republic
win All Respect for His Memory tho
Lecturer Il Dubisus About the
Cherry Tree

ing was Hon. Hiram Knowles. judge OF th
United States court. aud his subject We
George Washington" the annivsrsarf oil
whose birth the nation was observing. The
subject was treated very fully. the lecturei
dwelin On the great public services Of
Washington. his private life ana his pr
sonsl characteristics. The lecture was in
tersperssd with many interesting anecdotes
10 was listened 20 with great attention
Throughout. lie said; "lho formation OF
the American republic WAS the greatest
political event witnessed by this world. IL
effect upon human progress aud happiness
has been marked aud most encouraging.
In it has been fully developed the aphorisT
that all governments derive their just pow
ere from the consent Of the governed. n
The lecturer then reviewed the history OF
former republics Greece Rome and ths
Italian republic Of the middle ages-and
said that viewed Ia the light Of our notions
OF republic they possessed bat
few Of It's chsraetsristlcs. History
showed that republics heretofore had
been unstable and frsught with contentious
and connections. hat Ia even partial and
unsatisfactoFy fepahlics the human mind
had shsksn Of The shackles OF tradition
and custom and made its greatest progress.
Those Who connected themselves with sac
formation Of our republic" he continusi,
have received the commendstion OF the
age. They lifted sueh a path for human
progress as has appalled, the traditionary
sovernments Of the world and oheerei the
oppressed Of every land. From among the
GALAXY OF able and eminent patriots OF that
time nose shine ont more conspicuous
than George wasAiagton. In trath. be IS
she most promiHeni personality Of that
period, and when all the fscts Of sue his-
tory OF that time are considered it should
De acknowledged that be 10 Justly entitled
20 be considered as the father OF the Amer
ican republic" Judge hnoWles thon
sketchsd the Yoath OF Washington, from
his birth on feb. IL, ll32 the date now
being. through Ghangs IN ths
calendar, feb. 21)' giving his an
cestFJ. which vas English, aud said
- ~aa dificult 10 sell what was the truth
about many Of the stories Of his childhood
aud youth. The story OF the cutting OF the
cherry tree, With other stories. rested upon
the authority Of Rev. Mr.. Mesms an Epis-
copal preacher who wrote q life Of Wash
inRton and endsavored 10 make him in
childhood a character suited 10 an old
fashioned Sunday school book. This Rev.
Mr.. Weems claimed TO have been pastor OF
Mt, Vernon Parish. here was no parish
known as NJ Vernon parish. Mt Vernon
belonged 30 Iruro parish. There was a
church called Ut Vernon church, and
Wesms may have preached there once or
twice, bat never vas its pastor. Having
found Weems false In this. the lecturer
said: We may oOnoluds shat he cooked
up several good little stories 10 show George
vas a good little sunday school boz b"
George undoubtedly heard from his half
latter'a military experiences, and with
out doubt Lord Fairfax accounted In their
numerous huntinR expeditions. the story Of
she battles he had served IN. I'm some
way" said the lecturer, George became
filed With the thought that be wished TO DO
soldier, and after his return from Eng
land and the Barbados he sommsnced
stsdying for this career
The Lecturer then took up the part Wash
iugtoa played IN the troubles with the
french. and related the incident Of ths
dispute a. 10 rank between Capt Dugwo,thy
and Washington. DugWortay claimed 10
oatrank Washington BY reason Of having
Once held q commission from tho king,
while Washingt0n's was only from q colo
NAL governor. Washington, 90 settle the
matter, went 20 Boston and saw Gov. VIII
lIsn Shirley. who Was the colnmundeE-in-
chief OF all the colonial forces. Gov. Shir- I
ley decided IN WashingtOn's favor. Apro-
pos Of the ooloTs worn by Washington and
lis aides snd bis servants on tnat trip.
Judge Knowles said: "Our national colors
are red, white ind blue. They we're IN
doubtedly taken from Washington's colors
white and scarlet. and tie blue m the uni-
10 N OF the Virginia militia" Referring
So nashington's falling IN love win
3liss Mary Phillips. OK New Yok
while on his way 20 Boston the
lsolurer said When We look AZ she
stuart portrait Of W asuington u IL hard
70 comprehend that Washington ever maze
love 10 & % city CIR; that DO ever SAID 10
9ne that her brow was ike Alsbaster. that
tne red on her cheek was more inviting
than blush on ripe peach. that her lie
we're more enchanting than ths parting
petals Of a 81 rosebud, or that her oyes
shone ike she stars IN the airdle o. o ION.
/ an afraid IN lis youth he pau ed such
hatteriug compliments into tue ears OF
those he faacied. for u was she fashion OF
the time. 10 is O. wonder that our great
GrHndmotners stood such overwhelming
~ esches, but the, did. 1hsy lived through
II ana We are he Q.
Il have spoken Of this sarly life OF
Washington that might impress you with
tbe fact tLat lie like many au0thes youth
before aud since his time, vas restless and
cnto Urlslnb fond OF adventure and hazard
Gus "a. editions. given as shines 20 gushing
a. when be Proclaimed thht he loved 20
hear the whistle 81 bullets. end falling in
With all very Promising and trustWothy
young man, and possessed OF caring
and courage shat sOmetIm-a
amounted 20 rashnsfs. There was nothing
Ia him thnt We can see OF the sentimental
young sunday school scholar % lev. hr
Nssms. but a ank, manly and brave
young fellow worthy Of all the regard be-
slowed upon Lim by mother ana friends
Speaking Of the ati ring times % the ravo.
luhon. AM Math ngton's appointment a.
commander in-chief % tho amy, he said
John Adams claimed it was a political
stroke. War was already raging ia Massa-
etusetta. lie wanted she colonies % adout
TINS war AMI heuos be wanted n southern
general pretty g0Oe move. but tho truth
- u AL Americans. Washington was rho
best qualified for the place. lie was about
ths only American Who was iu thorough
sympathy with tbs cause OF the colonies
who had hal any education Ia the ara OF
war Let us look at tue man for mom8nt Z.
lie Was q man about EI1 feet tNu inonea tall.
without much hoah and weighed over 2OJ
rounds. lie was very muscular and active.
he had 50 ong veil marked face thHt
commanded ntteutssc. IueTo D. not much
doubt bot the usual PORTRAIT % Washington
- see D. u1t "a corrcct likeness Of him.
at1a Z. ths painter o. that portrait wished
% idsslizs him aud make hiu a better ook-
ing man than he was SO hia PORTRAIT IL
lac him but not Tim. All the force Of
character he assessed IS left out. Cree
noses WeTs IN fashion. 81 stgart smootled
ont ell lungs n Warrington s nose. There
is portrait Of aim held b. tile Free Nasone
OF NirsiaiK for long time which gives
HIN quite Roman ncae- Ia manners he
was pleasant ami agreeable. He uas self
contained. but tlsre was lnother side 90
has character when aroused le hal PISS
sions which gl6wed like heated furnace