The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-23

ana WOrInleSf u -
not finished scholarship for the favored
few. but the elevation of a high stand
ard of citizenship among the many.
have had peculiar satisfaction in the
fact that Washington, In those early
days, when engrossed with mighty gov
ernmental problems, did not forget ms
for the education of the poor
and left in his will a bequest to be dedi-
Gated to free public instruction. Moth
ing better tells of the value he placed
upon knowledge as an essential TO the
highest and best citizenship. How price
less is a liberal education! In itself what
a rich endowment, 1t is not impaired by
age, but its value increases with use.
No one can employ 1t but its rightful
owner. He alone can illustrate its worth
and enjoy its rewards. 1t cannot be
inherited or purchased. 1t must be ac-
quired by individual effort. 1t can be
secured only by perseverance and self
denial But Ii Is free as the air we
breathe Neither race nor nationality
nor sex can debar the earnest seeker
from its possession. 1t is not exclusive.
hut inclusive, in the broadest and best
sense. 1t is within the reach of all VINO
really want and are brave enough TO
struggle for it. The earnest rich and
the worthy poor are equal and friendly
rivals in its pursuit, and neither IS ex-
empted from any of the sacrifices neces-
sary for its acquisition. The key 10 us
title liz not the bright allurements Oh
rank and station, but the simple watch
word of work and study.
The Value of Education.
A liberal education is the prize of in
dividual industry 1t Is the greatest
blessing that a man or woman can
enjoy when supported by virtue. NOR
atty and noble aims. But the acquire
ment of learning in our schools ana
colleges seems so easy that we are apt
TO underestimate its value ana let the
opportunity to win it slip by unregret-
fully until we find that the chance IS
gone.
The rudiments must be engrafted in
youth or with rare exceptions they are
forever lost. Life to most Is a struggle
there is little time for the contempla-
ton of the theoretical when the practl-
cal is pressing at every hand. Stern
duty monopolMes our time. The com
mand of others controls our preferences
and often defeats our intentions by
steadily adhering to firm purpose
amid the activities of life we may keep
in touch with the literature of the day,
but to go back to the classics or to
grapple with the foundations or the
sciences is beyond the power of most
men when they have entered upon their
chosen business or profession.
Ones mental fighting, often of hand
to hand conflict with obstacles and
temptations. is a battle of its own,
campaign whose motive force is indi-
Yiduality. rather than circumstances of
luck. Mental work is as real as that in
the physical world. Nor has any pre-
scription yet been found to take the
place of application and self-denlal ana
personal struggles with have given to
the world its greatest leaders and
noblest achievements
How much both of reflection and
instruction is contained in this simple
admonition of the father of his
country The United States emerged
from the bitter and prolonged struggle
of the revolutionary war exhausted
financially and with a hundred existing
perplexities and difficulties which re-
NAMED 10 be solved before the financial
credit of the new nation could be estab-
lished at home and demonstrated
abroad But Washington knew how to
gather around him and place in posi-
tons of the greatest trust the able
fnanciers and economists whose names
the country still venerates and whose
great work il still enjoys. Hamilton
and Morris and Gallatin and others
were successful in establishing the
treasury and inaugurating the financial
operations Of this government upon
principles which recognized that the
most enduring basis of national credit
was national honor and that whatever
other assets we might have or acquire
that was Indispensable, first, last and
all the time. If we would cherish the
public credit.
Keeping Public Faith.
We have been fully rewarded all
along our history by adhering to the
principles Of Washington in keeping the
public faith. Before half a century
had passed we had paid off our national
debt and had a balance in the treasury
Another debt, the greatest in our his
| tory, was incurred in the civil war for
the preservation of the union. But this
| did not exceed the resources or dis
courage the intentions of the American
/ people. There We're those who favored
! Reputation but the people repudiated
| them and went on unchecked, discharg-
/ ing the obligations of the government
| in the coin of honor. From the day oui
! flag was unfnrled to the present hour
no stain of a just obligation violated
/ has yet furnished the American name
This must and will be as true in tht
/ future as it has been in the past. There
will be prophets of evil and falst
| teachers. Some part of the column may
ard but there will ever rally around il
a mighty majority to preserve j
/ stainless and in honor.
Americas Foreign Policy.
At no point in his administration doe,
Washington appear in grander proper
tions than when he enunciates his idea:
i in regard to the foreign policy of thu
! government.
observe good faith and justice TO
ward all nations; cultivate peace ant
harmony with all; religion and moral
/ ity enjoin this conduct Can 1t be tina
! good policy does not equally enjoin 1t
| Ii will be worthy of free, enlightened
and at no distant period great nation
TO give 10 mankind the magnanimou
and noble example of people Away
| guided by an exalted justice an
| beneyolenCe."
To-day. nearly a century from Wash
| ington's death. we turn reverentiaily {
study the leading principles of tina
| comprehensive chart for the guidanc
of the people. 1t was his nnflinchins
| immovable devotion to these percep
tions of duty which more than any
thing else made him what he was an
contributed so directly To make us wha
we are. Following the precepts Q
Washington we cannot err The wis