Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-07-24
Washington As an Example.

The general observance of Washing
tons birthday is undoubtedly q public
advantage. 1t not only serves to keep
alive some of the most precious his
torical memories, but also to direct at.
tention to n of the best examples of
personal wisdom and efficiency. There
are lessons of great value to be derived
from the study of Washington Is charac-
ter, methods and tendencies-lessons of
practical application t o present condi-
tions, duties and responsibilities. He
was not a perfect man, by any means;
and it is only the simple truth to say
that ne would be more tenderly regard
cd If he had not been so persistently
Represented as q man without faults or
follies. The biographies from which a
majority of people obtain their infor.
nation concerning him deal only with
the exalted side of his nature, and thus
set him apart as q being related to the
world only in a TRANSPORTED sense. He
has been idealized away from popular
acquaintance and appreciation, in other
words, and we do not get a full and
proper conception of him. 1t is only
by making a study of facts to be found
in other books, in the literature of pri.
vate gossip and Renaissance, that we
can bring him within range of true un-
Outstanding, and ascertain that he was
quite human, after all, with the same
passions and peculiarities that are seen
in ordinary citizens.
When we learn that this illustrious
mar was like ourselves in the common
relations of life, and different from us
only in superiority of ability to perform
important public service, we are drawn
to him with the kind of sympathy that
makes his memory really precious and
inspiring. He ceases to be "a mere
steel engraving" as a distinguished
orator has said, and becomes, a vital
personality, a force that operates in a
practical way upon the drift of pub.
lie thought and action. 1t pleases
us to discover that there is some.
thing in him to be forgiven, that he
ia not in all respects a rebuke to us
for our sins and weaknesses. We feel
more admiration for him with his faults
confessed than with them concealed.
1t is by his shortcomings that he is
made to seem near to us and to be at
tached to familiar events and circum.
stances. We are deeply impressed by
the fact that he did not habitually
dwell upon a lofty summit of virtue,
never making a mistake, and never ex-
%periencing a regret, but that the course
of his life was similar to that of all
other men in general respects, and that
he surpassed other men in the faculty
of doing the right thing oftener than
the wrong one, rather than in striking
twelve every time. That is to say, he
averaged better than any of his COB.
temporaries. He was the most capable
mar of his time for the duties developed
upon him, without being infallible or
free from every day defects and hin.
derances.
1t is by this kind of knowledge of a
great character that we are principally
benefited. The merits of a famous man
are not to be seen at their best in the
absence of this element of contrast by
which his whole makeup is presented
TO us, good and ill together. When it
is placed on a pedestal, to be contem.
plated at q distance and through a veil
of holiness, as it were, we become in.
credulous and more or less Indifferent.
We do not believe in the possibility of
individual perfection, and when we are
asked to accent n man as the or, hod;-