Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-04
Seem and Heard in Many Places.

Seen and Heard I'm Many flacos'
philadelphia Times)
A talk we had the day Following inc
birthday OF Washington, in when was re-
vealed the fact that many or the hewS-
papers during his administration OF the
office of President lampooned him In a
most scurrilous manner-notably the phil
adelphia Aurora-and that even the Amer
lean Congress formally agreed 10 depart
from its custom of celebrating MS piith-
day. has led TO numerous inquiries as "
what-in view Of these attacKs-"ar-
ranted the high and general affection ana
esteem in which the first Chiet Executive
of this republic is held to-day by every
man. woman. and child who boasts or
American citizenship. Coupled with these
questions is one inquiring as to what was
the greatest document ever written by
the Father of His Country. The Datch
of queries first mentioned involved In the
answer a historical narrative not per-
mitted within the confines Of these daily
chats and which are thoroughly faminar
TO the most casual students-eVen schOoi-
bows and school-girls-of American MS
tory. The last question, however, pro-
poses an interesting problem, the reply W
which may not be found in the orulhary
textbooks. IL may all depend upon what
ably Washingtons farewell ADDRESS may
contain the answer, but If any written
communication of his can be comprised
within the term document" then the
narrator would beg leave to say, express
ing only his personal opinion. that George
Washington never wrote wiser words than
those privately addressed 10 his nephew
George Steptoe Washington. son OF MS
brother Colonel Samuel Washington, III
which that young man is given ADVICE
that can be read to-day with profit Dy
every youth living in the country whose
existence Washington made possible
That remarkable mssive, every letter
of which should be written In gold ana
emblazoned on the breast OF every young
fellow marching forth TO do battle with
the world reads as follows:
Mount Vernon, Ord March, 1889.
Dear George: AS 1t is probable l shall
soon be under the necessity or quitting
this place and entering once more into the
hustle of publick life, in conformity 10 the
voice OF my country and the earnest en-
treaties OF my friends. however contrary
IL is TO my own desires or incllnations, 1
think II incumbent on me as your uncle
and friend 10 give you some ADVISING
hints. which. II properly attended to, VIII,
I conceive. be found very useful 10 you In
regulating your conduct and giving you
resnectability not only at present, out
through every period OF lie.
You have now arrived at that age when
Won must quit the trifiing amusements OF
how. and assume the more dignined
manners OF a man. At this Crisis your
conduct will attract the notice OF 'hose
who are about you, and as the hIst IN
nressions are generally the most lasting'
,,o,,r doines now may mark the leading
traits of your character through life. III
is therefore. absolutely necessary, IL you
mean IN make any figure upon the stage
of life that YOU should take the nrst step
right. What these steps are, ana WHAT
General line Is to be pursued to lay the
foundation OF an honorable and happy
progress. is the part Of age and experience
n point out This | shall do, as far as IN
nv power. with the utmost cheerlulhess,
and | trust that your own good sense VIII
show YOU the necessity OF Following H.
TITO first and great object with you al
nresent is to acquire by industry ana
annl,cation such knowledge as your
situation enables you TO obtain ana as
will he useful to you in life. In dong
this two other important objects Will De
gained besides the requirement OF knowl-
edge-namely, habit OF INDUSTRY anu
d,srelish OF that profusion OF money ana
dissipation of tine which are ever
attended upon idleness. | do not mean |
close application TO your studies; that
Won should never enter into those amuse
ments when are suited TO your age ana
station. They may be made TO go manu-
finland with each other, ana USED III
their proper seasons will be found 70 |
hs manual assistance to each other. |
put what amusements are to be taken !
and what is the great matter TO be |
attended to? Your own Judgment, with |
the advice of your real friends, who may |
have an opportunity OF a personal
intercourse with you, can point out the
particular manner in which you may pest
spend your moments OF relaxation, much
batter than / can at a distance. one thing !
however | would strongly impress upon |
that when you have leisure !
TO go into company that II always should
be the best kind that the place you are
In will afford. BY this means you VIII
be constantly improving your manners,
and cultlyating your mind while you are
relaxing from your books, and good
company will always be found much less
extensive than bad.
You cannot offer as an excuse for not
using IL that you cannot gain admission
there. or that you have not a proper at
tention paid you in 1t. This is an apology |
made only by those whose manners are
disgusting or whose character Is excep-
tionable. neither of which l hope will
ever be said of you. cannot enjoin too
strongly upon you due observance OF
economy and frugality. AS you will know
yourself. the present state OF your
properly and finances will not admit Of
any unnecessary expense.
The article or clothing Is now one OF
he chief expenses you will incur. and In
his fear you arr not so economical as
you should be. pecency and cleanliness
will always be the first objects In the
iress of a judicious and sensible man. A
to the prevailing fashion In
certain degree is necessary, but 1t does
not follow from thence that man should
always get new coat or other clothes