New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-23

From the hour when Washington declared
Ia his Virginia home that he would raise thou-
sand men and equip them Mt his own expense
10 march TO the defence OF Boston. ne became
the masterfnl spirit OF the Continental Army
and the mightiest single factor In the CONT
nent's struggle for liberty and independence.
Apparently without personal ambition spurn-
ing royal honors when they were suggested to
him. he fulfilled still more glorious destiny
Us the guiding force 81 a civilization freer and
rnlghtier than the history OF man had ever
known.
A STORY TO BE DwEIT UPON.
Though Washington's exalted character and
the most striking acts of his brilliant record
are too familiar 10 he recounted here, where
so many times they have received eloquent and
deserved eulcgy yet. often the story IL retold.
IL engages our love and admiration and inter-
est We love to recall his noble unselhsh-
ness. his heroic purposes. the power Of his
magnificent personality, his glorious achieve-
nents for mankind and his stalwart and un-
ilnching deN otion to Independence. liberty and
union. These canno: be too often told or he too
Familiarity known.
a Shareholder himself. he yet hated slavery
ard provided in his will for the emancipation
Of his slaves. Not a college graduate. he
always enthusiastically the friend of liberal ed
ucatlon He used every suitable occasion to i'm
press upon Congress and the country the i'm
portance Of high standard OF general educa-
ton. and characterized the diffusion Of knowl-
edge as the most essential element Of strength
In the system Of free government. That learn
ing should 60 with liberty. and that liberty Is
never ENDANGERED so long IL Is In the keep
ing OF intelligent citizens. was the ideal civic
code which his frequent utterances never failed
to enforce.
HIS RELIANCE ON PROVIDENCE
And how reverent always was this great man.
how prompt and generous his recognition OF
the guiding hand Of Divine Providence In estab-
fishing and controlling the destinies OF the
Colonies and the Republic Again and again
in his talks. in his letters in his State papers,
and formal addresses-he reveals this side of
MS character the force Of which we still feel,
and. trust. always will.
At the very height of his success and reward.
as he emerged from The Revolution. receiving by
unanimous acclaim the plaudits Of the people
and commanding the respect and admiration
OF the civilized world he did not forget that
his first official act as President should be fer
vent supplcatton TO the Almighty Being who
rules the universe. II Is He who presides in
the councils Of nations and whose providential
aid can supply every human defect. II is His
oenediction which we most want and which can
and Will consecrate the liberties and happiness
OF the people Of the United states with His
help. the instruments OF the citizens employed
10 carry out their purposes will succeed In
the functions allotted to public life.
But Washington this occasion went further
and spoke for the people. assuming that he but
voiced The sentiment OF the young Nation in
thus making faith In Almighty God and reliance
upon His favor and care OF the strong
foundations Of the Government then inaugu-
rated And. proceeding, Washington states the
reasons for his belief in language so exalted
that IT should be craven deep upon the mind Of
every patriot.
No people be bound to acknowledge and
adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the at
States. Every step by which they have advanced
TO the character Of an independent Nation seems
Dental agency. and in the important revolution
@ bs rn al 1hf OF g nG yo ngd
iary consents Of so many distinct communities
from which the events resulted cannot be compared
witn the means by which most governments have
been established without some return Of pious graf
itude along with an humble anticipation Of the
which
The reflections arising out Of the present crisis
have forced themselves strongly upon my mind
You will join with me- trust, in thinking that
there are none under the influence OF which the
more auspiciously commenced.
The Senate OF the United States made fitting
response OF it's appreciation OF this portion Of
the Presidents Inaugural Address when It's
members declared that "a review Of the many
signal Instances OF Divine Intervention In favor
OF the country claims cur most pious gratitude"
and that they were inevitably led to acknowl-
edge and adore the great arbter Of the universe
by whom empires rise and fall
Congress added Its sanction by providing that
after the oath shall have been administered to
the President he. attended by the Vice Presi-
dent and the members of the Senate and House
OF Representatives. proceed to st. Pauls Chapel
TO hear Divine services performed by the chap
lain Of Congress already appointed"
LESSON FOR EVERY DAY.
Not alone upon days of thanksgiving or in
times Of trial should we. a people remem-
Der and follow the example thus set by the
fathers. but never In future as a Nation
should We forget the great moral and religious
principles which they enunciated and defended
as their most precious heritage.
In an age Of great activity. of Industrial and
commercial strife and Of perpexing problems.
we should never abandon the simple faith IN
Almighty God recognized In the name OF
the American people by Washington and the
first Congress
But ii a timely lesson is to be drawn from
the opinions Of Washington on his assuming the
office Of Pre- sident, so also is much practical
| araAfs he
ton of portions of his Farewell Address. a
document in which Washington laid down
principles which appeared TO him "all-mportant
to the permanence of your felicity a people 4"
In that address Washington contends in
part: % For the promotion Of institutions OF
learning % for cherishing the puh,ic credit;
CD for the observance OF good faith ssld justice
toward all nations
DEVELOPMENT OF FREE SCHOOLS.
one hundred years ago free schools
little known in the United States There were
excellent schools for the well-to- do and chart
table institutions for the ms ruction Of boys and
girls without means. but tn free public school
open alike to the children Of the rich and poor
and supported by the State. awaited creation
fathers soon bore fruit. Free schools the
necessary supplement Of free men. The wise
and liberal provisions for public Instruction by
the fathers. second only In effect to their strug-
gle for the independence and creation OF the
Union were destined IT distant date to
produce the most wonderful results.
As this country has grown education fos-
tered by the State has kept pace with IT. Rich
as are the collegiate endowments Of the Old
World. of them excel In munificence the
gifts made to educational institutions by the
people Of the United States and by their Govern
ments in conformity with the influence which
sound learning has on religion and manners
| on government. liberty and laws
Adams and Madison. Jefferson and Hamilton.
Sherman and Trumbull, Hancock. Jay. Mar
shall the Cntons and many others Of our
early statesmen were scarcely less earnest and
eloquent than Washington himself In pleading
the cause Of sound and liberal education for tn"
people.
TRUESr AIM OF EDUCATION.
Nor does this seem surprising when we re-
Hnc hat he and WOrfheSf