Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1897-02-28
VOLUME XXXI.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Ono hundred and sixty five ycars
ago next Monday child WIS born in
Westmoreland county, Virginia. who
i'll after life was destined to write his
name high up on the scroll of fame.
No cannon thundered at his birth and
mono OF the glittering pomp OF
royalty heralded the news that a
child Was born in the wilds OF the new
world who in after life wonld be
greater than king. This boy grew
TO manhood unu 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 unbearablo
all eyes turned to- him ns the leader
Of the people in that great struggle
between liberty and tyranny. For
eight long, weary years i'll the dreary
camp, on the murch and on tho field
OF battle he led the struggling band
of patriots To glorious victory. Dis
heartsned by defeat, beset by envious
rivals in lis own camp, he never
faltered IN the cause Of liberty until
the naughty Briton laid down his
arms To the allied forces mt Yorktown
and the freedom Of America from the
CALLING bonds OF Englirh tyranny was
achieved.
Emerging from that contest with
the wreath OF victory on his brow, his
grateful conntrymen offered him
crown as II reward for his great
sacrifices in the cause OF liberty.
With ono hand he put the crown
aside and with the othSr bestowed
the priceless gem OF constit utionGl
liberty upon the American people.
Retiring to his home ut Mount Yer.
non after his long and victorious SER
vice III the field, he engaged once
more IN the peaceful pursuits OF lilo.
Here the voice OF his countrymen
reached him and he was called from
his retirement to ill the office Of chief
mHgistraate OF the people his genius
aud courage had made free.
lie listened TO that voice and for
eight years filled the exalted station
OF tie first president OF the United
States with the same mutchlcss ability
that had shone resplendent on the
Held OF bnttle. At tho close Of his
second term, his grateful countrymen
beBuught him to continue rs their
ruler. But the same nobility OF
character aud genuine love OF liberty
that had enabled him to nut aside a
kingly crown made him deaf to the
entreHtics OF his misguided though
loving people aud no once moro re-
tired to tho peaceful shades OF Mount
Vernon, loved by tho friends Of
liberty everywhere and worshippcd
by the people whose liberties his
ynlor Ind achieved. Hero ho lived
until the summons came for him to
join the company OK the great majority
biyouackcd on tho other side nt tho
tihCI ht ueuti u
This man WAS George Washington,
the Father OF his country. On each
recurring anniversary Of his birth the
cannons boom and seventy millions OF
people salute him us the founder Of the
liberties they now enjoy. Ills deeds
Of yalor on the fold Of battlc, his un.
faltering trust in tho justice OF his
cause, his unseliish patriotism and
devotion to liberty, his stcadiastness
in defeat. his torbeurancc TO his
onomies. lis love OF God und man arc
all recalled and pointed to as cx-
nmples for the rising generation.
May tho lessons they teach DO needed
by his countrymon and tho govern
mont his heroism made possible stand
IN monument to his name until time
shall be no moro.
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