The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-07-06
1'HB GREAqEST AMERICAN
Washington, the Foremost of Ma
tional Heroes, Was as rlodest
as Nun.
Hi His Experience With the Sculptor :
81 Who Took rlodel of His Face
in Plaster of Paris.

T;ook an Active Part in Elections
.t. Never Neglecting His Duty
as a Citizen. 'r-
F. When we think Of the Fourth Of July we
congratulate ourselves that ous great ma
tional holiday occurs at just the right sea-
son for out door festivities, :. plcnics to
shady woods, excursions by rail and river
and display Of fireworks in the clear July
night. Every where the stars and stripes
aleam and wave and flutter and do every
ching else that national banners must do
an order to be truly poetical and insplr-
ing; everywhere is the ubiquitous small
boy with the irrepressible firecracker--
most alluring, OF Chinese productions
everywhere are happy faced children and
contentetl grown-ups listening to martial
music or patriotic oratory. Lightly robed
young girls seem to float about like Cherry
blossoms. The houses are empty; every
one is out Of doors except the SICK, the
cripple and the un-American.
What American girl or boy wouldn't
consider it q misfortune to be deprived OF
!. this most charming Of holidays, this mid
summer fete of gladness this annual out
burst of national joy? But is the Joy for
the mere holiday or for it's origin? Does
the Fourth Of July pleasure seeker often
think of those who created the American
Fourth? Surely, surely, patriotic enthu-
siasn should be the first and best happl-
ness of the happy day.
The great revolutionary patriots sleep
&1.@ oer Int
all the thunder of all the guns can awaken
the heroes again, but we can always awak-
en- the echoes of their fame by reyiving
the memory of their noble thoughts and
gallant deeds.
How many of us really know the char
acter Of the great Washington? A few
questions are easily answered t:He was
commander in-chief of the Continental
army, "says one. Right. "He was the
father of his country" POLITICALLY. sHe
never told le.'' Perhaps not. "He chop
ned a cherry tree with his hatchet and
said--' That is an historical lie., "FIe
was the first president 'He wore false
teeth" "He was proud "He was mar
ried to Martha Curtis
There is a great deal of nonsense
draped about every historical hero.
washington does not need it. He was a
most beautiful character. How many
know that this brave general, this wise
statesman, this stern patriot was as mod
est. as a nun? How many know that he
was a very Samson for strength, q very
baby for humility?
A few stories from various biographies
will show that the Father Of his Country
is easily the foremost OF national heros.
He had all the power of Napoleon, with
none Of the egotisn which warped and
ruined the French enperor's career. He
had the order and punctuality that dis
tinguished Louis lie Grand, but he was free
from the weakness Of the Bourbon King.
William, Frederick, Richard, Henry,
Cromwell, Charles, Gustavus-all these
who made a stir in the W0rld-loom up
black or gray beside the shining purity Of
Washington,
Before ne was rs he had made a mill
tary reputation, and when only n he re-
ceived a distinguished compliment from
the speaker of the house Of Burgeses, to
which body the young Washington was
elected in 1889.
He was something more than new
member He was the late commander
in-chief Of the Virginia army, the fore
most man, in military way in the pro-
vince. He had just returned from the
successful expedition against Fort Du-
quesne. So the house resolved to well
come him in a manner becoming SO gal
liant Virginian, and it passed a vote Of
thanks for the distinguished military SER
vices he had rendered the country. The
speaker, MI. Robinson, rose when Wash
ington came in to take his seat, and made
little speech of praise and welcome, pre-
senting the thanks Of the house. Every
one applauded and waited for the tall col
onel to respond. There he stood, blush
ing. stammeriug, confused. He could
give his orders to his men easily enough,
and he could even say what was necessary
to Mrs Martha Curtis, but to address the
Eonse Of Burgesses in answer to a vote Of
thanks--that was another matter. Not q
plain word could he get out. 1t was a cap
ital answer, and the speaker interpreted it
to the house. .-.
s'sit down, Mr.. Washington said he.
.s'Your modesty equals your valor, and that
surpasses the power of any language pos
Sess. -
Washington was one of the strongest
men in the colonies, and many tales Of his
proWess have been preserved.
4 The river near which was his first home
Z '---ttle FIttppduduIlOCk--Wul ull6 uOC 50 WlQ9
as the Potomac Or James, is yet wide
enough to fill with establishment the
looker-on who is today shown where
young Washington threw a piece Of slate
the size of a silver dollar across the river,
clearing thirty yards beyond the opposite
bank. OF the many who fave since tried
{ to emulate this feat not one, it is claimed,
has succeeded In clearing even the water
there. Another time Washington stood
In the bed Of the stream running under
the Natural Bridge Of Virginia, which
towers two hundred feet above, and 1url-
ed stone upon the top Of the arch And
1 again, when older, he threw stone from
the Palisades into the Hudson.
Washington had constant applications
L from persons who wished to write his
4 life or paint his portrait. There. was a
4 sculptor named Wright who undertook
Sto get model of Washington's face.
came to Mount Vernon" SO
], Washington tells the story, with the
singular request that should permit
4 him to take model Of my face In plaster
spf paris, to which consented with some
reluctance. He oiled my features and
splacing me fiat upon my back upon 4
cot cot proceeded TO daub my lace with the
splaater. While was In this lidlcronl
ittlde ashingt ton entered t1e
SDsr and seei my face thus Oyer.
8 ejlilt iths the olsintayiI