The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-02-27
George Washington.
From the New York sun

4 AtaAA AAtf -Ntff AbAa "A H1NAlA
We think that the Americans OF this
generation have a better understanding
OF the character of the man George Wash
ington than was possessed by their an
cestors of the previous two or three gen
erations. The encomiums pronounced
upon him after the war of the Revolu-
tion, and for many years after his death,
were not only uRmeasured, bat were in
distinctive, uHjudicial. uncritic9l, and
largely untrue TO human nature. Hewas
often represented a a tlawIess character,
a a complete embodiment OF every per
fectiori. as one separated or set apart from
all the rest of mankind. aud even, indeed,
| as a supernatural being. He came to look
ike a sculptured figare chiseled by the
hand of genius from block Of marble.
He seemed to be too cold. too serene, too
dispassionate. and too high for this earth.
\ singular injustice was thus done 10
| Washington. who lived rs man among
men. who was true 10 nature all his life
| long, who was warm-biooded and impul-
sive. who possessed the ordinary traits Of
our species, who went through expert
ences like those OF other people. who had
many of the ways of a Virginia planter
of his time, which was in high spirits or
low according to Circumstance, and who,
happily, was not altogether FIRE, from the
foibles which belong to humanity.
In view of his person aud his life and
his achievements, how much more con
genial and attractive is oar Washington
when thus understood. lie is Of us. He
is a man Of our kind. He * one whom
We know. We can be his friends, can
look into his noble face, can grasp his
hand, can listen TO his words. can eN-
change thoughts with him, can love him
as we could not Of he We're of another or
der OF creation.
We of this generation have come 20
know Washington better than he WAS
known by oar grandsires, though we are
Sc much further away from him than they
were. We think he is 70 us more 81 "a
man. more Of an American, and less Of a
demig5d, than he was to them. Thus he
is exalted in our eyes. Thus he stands
higher in our affections than he stood in
those Of the American youth Of fifty and
sixty years ago, to whom he was As a
statute Of Pentelican marble.
We have come 10 know him the better
through the revelations made in his own
letters and in the letters Of his contempo-
raries, which have been printed; through
the "reminiscences of his acquaintance !;
through the perusal of documents and
reports that can now be obtained; through
the publication Of more satisfactory biog-
raphies Of him; aad through a closer
study of his personality and deeds from
his early days ill the close Of mis- life. Il
is thus possible t. get more satisfactory
comprehension of his real nature than It
was in other times.
He grows upon his country and the
world with the procession Of the genera
tions a. he i seen the more distinctly aud
truly. tie i the nobIest national hero
seen in any country OF the earth since the
creation Of man.
The revival in these days Of what we
may cali Washington Is most pleasant To
contemplate. 1t means the cstrongthening
of the republic, the renewal of its pristine
spirit. the plriiication Of politics, and the
animation Of patriotism. The name of
Washington is Synonymous with all ths,
is desirable and glorious in American
life.
We are especially well pleased u know
that the school children all oye. the
United States viii to-day celebrate the
birthday of orr Washington rs they new
er celebrated il before. Il is an excellent
idea to furnish portrai; Of him t. every
school house in this city. Tla boy OF the
girl who LOOKS Go1n that portrait VIII be
a better American through life 1t is an
engaging lesson in trathfaineSs. honor.
and gracefulness. 1t is an illustration of
the highest and best qualities % The hu-
man mind.
Honor ever to the name Of the Father
OF his Country.