Evening star., 1896-02-21
COLUMBiAN UNIVERSITY.
Special Observance of the Birthday
of Warrington.

Interesting exercises in special observ-
aEce of Washngton's birthday were held
by the students of Columbian University
at the university hall, at o'clock this
morning After brief devotional exercises,
conducted by DIR. Whitman, president Of
| The univ ersity, Mr.. Conrad Patten, one of
| the students, read Washington's farewell
address. Appropriate remarks were then
made by Representative Joseph G. Cannon
of Illinois and Mr.. Il. ii. Warner of the
board of trade
Mr.. Cannon gave a brief resume Of the
character of Washington and made the un-
usual point that Washington's patriotism
was somewhat in the nature of sefishness.
He laid 81 ccial emphasis on the fact that
Washington took occasion to acquire a
competency for he purpose of securing
personal independence and said that much
of his success in life was due to his finan-
cial prosperity. According to the speaker
Washington was not SO great intellectu-
ally as either Hamilton Franklin or Paine,
but he possessed other qualities thai made
him superior TO either of them. He pos
sessed enough of the worlds goods to be
independent and was SO we'll balanced men,
tally that he was able to control Hamil-
ton Franklin and the other great histor-
ical characters of that day. He had great
firmness of character and an excellent
Judgment of men. A wise and thrifty
patriot. he was better armed to meet The
struggles of life than almost any other
man of mis- time. The history of the
to meet emergencies. That was the case
with Washington and also with Lincoln,
both of whom possessed elements OF great
hess especially adapted to the special ne
ceSSitieS of their times. 1t is one peculiar
ity of the AnSlo-SaXon race that ii can
never be .lriven back, and every step it
takes is forward and always in the inter-
estS of tie pc oDle. Mr.. Cannon advised
the students TO De honest and industrious
aud to remember the manifold advantages
of material prosperity. They should own
the roof that covers them and he able TO
take care of those dependent upon Them
Having competency sufficient TO keep the
wolf from the door they would then he able
to devote their entire energies 10 the devel-
opment of q higher and better standard OF
civilization and progress.
Mr.. Warner in opening his address took
occa sion to refute the imputation of the
previous speaker that Washington a
selfish patriot. On occasion like this he
said, he considered II the duty of speakers
to eNtol the virtues of the father of his coun-
try, rather than to point out defects In his
character. The Vices of Washington have
passed away, while his virtues are conspic.
uous among all the heroes Of all time The
pages of history show that Washington's
right to the title of first I'm war, first in
peace and first I'm the hearts of his country
men" was fully justified by his career as a
man, soldier and a statesman Washing
ton was gentleman, but not an alistocrat
1t was possible for man in his time with
little education, TO accomplish a great deal
and this is how 1t happened that Washing
Ton elIOllS 10 acquire competency
so well rewarded. Mr.. Warner drew a moral
from this, and advised the students to start
in business as early as they could and not
walt until they We're twenty or thirty wears
of age to begin the struggle of life Much
OF Washington's success In life was due to
his systematic business methods
MIR. Warner declared that Washington
was true patriot, and was not Influenced
by selfish motives in any of his acts In
stances were cited to show that Washington
invariably held his patriotism above his per-
scnal interests. According to Mr. Warner
Washington was not only the peer but the
superior in all the elements of greatness to
the men of his day. His greatness lay not
so much I'm his military achievements AZ in
the prominent part he took in bringing the
thirteen colonies together in a great confed-
Grafton. and thereby laying the foundation
for what is now the greatest and grandest
country on the face of the globe Mr. War
ner reminded his hearers that the capital
city was greatly indebted to Washington,
whoShad conceived 1t and drawn up the
plans Tor its development. 1t might be said
of him that he had a much higher idea of
what ii ought to be than most of the states
men Of the present day. In closing Mr.
Warner urged the students to cultivate the
highest forms of craftsmanship and to
strive to accomplish something for the ma
terial benefit Of the people among whom
they lived, and for the city and the country
| in which they lived.
The remarks of both speakers were fire.
Quently applauded. The exercises closed by
| the singing Of America" by the entire au-
dience.