Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1897-02-20
GEORGE WASHING ron.

One hundred and sixty five years
ago next Monday child was born in
Westmoreland county, Virginia, who
in after life was destined to write his
name high up ON the scroll of fame.
No cannon hundred at his birth and
none Of the gittering pomp Of
royalty heralded the news that a
child was born in the wllds Of the new
world who in after life wonld be
greater than king. This boy grew
to manhood ano engaged in the
peaceful pursuits of life. He was
honest, earnest and truthful and when
the expressions OF the mother country
on the colonies became UNDESIRABLE
all eyes turned to him as the leader
OF the people in that great struggle
between liberty and tyranny. For
eight long, weary years in the dreary
camp, on the march and on the field
OF battle he led the struggling band
of patriots to glorious victory. Dis
heartened by defeat, beset by envious
rivals in his own camp, he never
faltered III the cause Of liberty until
the naughty Briton laid down his
arms to the allied forces at Yorktown
and the freedom of America from the
CALLING bonds Of English tyranny was
achieved.
Emerging from that contest with
the wreath Of victory ON his brow, his
grateful countrymen offered him a
crown as a reward for his great
sacrifices in the cause of liberty.
With Ole hand he put the crown
aside and with the other bestowed
the priceless gem of constitutional
liberty upon the American people.
Retiring to his home at Mount Yer.
non after his long and victorians SER
vice in the field, he engaged once
more in the peaceful pursuits Of life.
Here the voice of his countrymen
reached him and he -as called from
his retirement to till the Office of chief
magistrate of the people his genius
and courage had made free.
He listened to that voice and for
eight years filed the exalted station
OF the first president Of the United
States with the same matchless ability
that had shone resplendent on the
field of battle. At the close OF his
second term, his grateful countrymen
besought him to continue as their
ruler. But the same nobility OF
character and genuine love Of liberty
that had enabled him to put aside
klngly crown made him deaf to the
entreaties Of .his misguided. though
loving people and he once more re-
tired to the peaceful shades Of Mount
Vernon, loved by the friends of
liberty everywhere and worbhipped
by the people whose liberties his
valor had aohiyed, Here he lived
until the summons came for him to
join the company OF the great majority
bivouacked on the other eide. 1T the
river. At his death nation mourned.
This man was George Washington,
tho Father OF his country. On each
recurring anniversary Of his birth the
oannons boom and seventy. millions Of
people salute him as tho foupdeS Of
liberties they now enjoy. His deeds
Of valor ON the field Of battle, his un.
tailoring trust In the Justice Of his
cause, his. unselash patriotism and
devotion to liberty, his steadtastness
in defeat, his torbearancs to his
enemes, he love OF God and man are
all recalled and pointed to as ex-
amples for the rising generation
May the lessons they teach be needed
by his countrymen and the govern
ment his heroism made possible stand
as monument to his name until time
shall be no more.