Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-23

Last night was a revival of patriotism at
the headquarters Of the Bimetallic League.
Bv the attendance and the interested at
tention given to the orator of the evening
and to the reading of the memorable fare
well address of Washington, it was evil
dent that patriotism in our midst is not
dead and that the people Of to-day and our
own citizens cherished and possessed the
feeling which was so manifest and so glo-
rlously displayed in the dark days of the
American revoludon-at Valley Forge, at
Yorktown, ut Saratoga.
The hawless name and the matchless
fame of the Father of His Country were
deeper than ever impressed upon the minds
Of the people who assembled in the large
! BimetalHc hall TO catch the words of pa
triotism and wisdom that fell from the
/ lips Of the speaker. The nall was beauu-
/ fully and tastefully decorated with the
/ American colors. Bunting graced the
walls and flags of various sized decorated
! the chandeliers and windows of the hall
/ A large star-spangled banner adorned the
wall back of the platform. on the plat
| form was a life-szed bust of Washington,
/ gracefully draped amid the folds Of the
! American colors. Pictures of George and
/ Martha Washington were also suspended
/ from the walls The entire effect was
! striking and effective. The meeting was
! called promptly at eight o'clock Messrs.
| Peter Farrell and 3. NJ. Eon were called
| to the platform. Col w. W. Arnett had
/ been asked 10 deliver an address. and the
eloquent lawyer delivered a most stirring
and patriotic Grafton. His theme was Of
Washington-his character his reputation
as q man. statesman and soldier He paid
/ a high tribute 70 Washmgtons ability as
a statesman, saying thar when he was call
/ ed after his martial triumphs to the Pres
| idency of the nation, he could perform all
! the duties OF the administration without
= the aid of any assistant. lie was states
man Of the most profound and proved type
/ and his fame rs such shone r5splendont
| down all the ages of history.
! Washiugton's career as a military chief
| tain was particularly dwelt upon. and. the
orator alleged IT was TO his trumphs over
the flower OF the British army that we
were indebted for our present independence
| and for the liberties which we to-day en-
| joy. He said that while Washington was
not only a success all departments of life
: TO which ne was called and had achieved
! American independence. yet it was never
theless true that Gen. Washington was
hardly ever successful I'm any engagement
| fought on American soil Yet his bold
| spirit never falte5ed.
Patience. perseverance and patriotism
mems souls and the spirit he brearhed into
his soldicry prompted them 10 emulate his
example and follow his leadership until
the success Of American aims was con-
Summatcd by the surrender of the British
] troops at yorktown. The first service Of
/ Washington was against barbariaus. Like
| Caesar. Alexander and all the great cap
/ tains of antique times Washington had 20
| fight barbarians-the North American In
dams. After that he fought civilized sol
diers. the flower of the British army when
! ii required skill and courage, strategy and
resources TO achieve the success for which
| he so devoutly prayed and which he so
| gloriously won. The ability of Washing
/ ton as a commander was contrasted with
! Buygoyne. CORVALLIS and other British
| chieftains with whom he contended. His
wonderful patience and perseverance, and
| patriotism were mentioned as the traits
! of character that We're responsible TOR
! Washington's success in handling his UNI
| disciplined troops and teaching them TO
| fight the battles of THEM country
| Col. Arnett said that YOU must place
! Washington higher as "a chieftain than you
! place Alexander Napoleon or Caesar
! Three times Caesar WAS offered crown
and three times he refused IT, But the
| fact stands out in history that De- did ace
cept the crown and became the Emperor
/ Of Rome and finally fell at the feet of
/ Pompeys statue and cried ont against
| Brutus. who Stayed him to save his coun-
/ try from Caesars ambition. Washington
was offered crown and asked 20 become
/ king with all the idolatry of the American
/ people vouchsafed to him. Washington
did not accept the crown offered 20 him
| because he had fought for his country
| and It is to his prowess. patriotism. and pa
/ thence that we are indebted TO him for lib
erty on this continent
The speaker said he had never been
more thrilled or impressed in all his life
than when riding on the broad Potomac
mournfully as they approached the sacred
/ spot of Washington where were urned
/ tho ashes of the Father NJ His CouDtrv
&I is rsi,eT ., 'e 90 e''sr %. ls Cou,Iy i