The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-02

SAN@' AAe&if INV phOiupt anu GENEROUS
his recognition of the guiding hand of
Divine Providence in establishing and
controlling the destinies of the Colo
MES and the Republic. Again and
again-in his talks, in his letters, in his
state papers, and formal addresses-he
reveals this side of his character, the
force of which we still feel, and trust
We always will.
At the very hight of his success and
reward, as he emerged from the Revo-
luton, receiving by unanimous ac-
claim the plaudits of the people and
commanding the respect and admira-
ton Of the civilized world, he did not
forget that his first official act as Presi-
dent should be fervent supplication to
the Almighty Being who rules the uni
verse. Ii is He who presides in the
councils of nations and whose provi-
DENTAL aid can supply every human
defect. II is His benediction which we
most want and which can and will con-
seerate the liberties and happiness of
the people of the United States. With
His help the instruments of the citi-
zens employed to carry out their pur-
poses will succeed in the functions al
lOtted to public life.
But Washington on this occasion
went further and spoke for the people,
assuming that he but voiced the senti-
ment Of the young Nation in thus max
ing faith in Almighty God and reliance
upon His favor and care one of the
strong foundations of the Government
then inaugurated. And, proceeding,
Washington states the reasons for his
belief ia language so exalted that il
should be craven deep upon the mind
of every patriot.
No people can be bound TO aeknowl-
edge and adore the invisible hand
which conducts the affairs Of man
more than the people of the United
States.
"Every step by which they have ad-
vanced 10 the character of an indie
pendent Nation seems to have been
distinguished by some token Of provi
dental agency, and i'm the important
revolution just accomplished in the
system of their united Government,
the tranquil deliberations and volunta-
ry consents of so many distinct COM
munities from which the events re-
suited can not be compared with the
means by which most governments
have been established without some re-
turn of pious gratitude, along with an
humble anticipation of the future
blessings which the same seems to
presage. The reflections arising out of
the present crises have forced them
selves strongly upon my mind. You
will join me, trust, in thinking that
there are none under the influence of
which the proceedings of new and
free Government are most auspieinusly
commenced
The Senate of the Un tied States made
fitting response of its appreciation of
this portion of the Pre- ident's inaugu-
raj address when its members declared
that "a review of the many signal in-
stances Of Divine intervention in favor
of the country claims our most pious
gratitude" and that they were 'inev-
itably led to acknowledge and adore
the Great Arbiter of the Universe, by
whom empires rise and fall"
Congress added its sanction by pro-
viding that latter the oath shall have
been administered to the President, he,
attended by the Vice President and the
members of the Senate and House of
Representatives, proceed TO st. Paul's
Chapel to hear Divine services per-
formed by the Chaplain of Congress,
already appointed" ("
Not alone upon days Of thanksgiving
or in times of trial should we, as peo-
pie, remember and follow the example
thus set by the fathers, but never in
our future as Nation should we forget
the great moral and religious prinei-
Piles which they enunciated and de-
Tended as their most precious heritage.
In an age of great activity of industrial
and commercial strife and of perplex
ing problems we should never abandon
the simple faith in Almighty God as
recognized in the name of the Ameri-
can people by Washington and the
first Congress.
But if timely lesson is to be drawn
from the opinions of Washington on his
assuming the Office of President, So also
is much practical benefit to be derived
from the present application of portions
of his farewell address, document in
which Washington laid down prinei-
Piles which appeared to him "all-im-
portant to the permanence of your felie-
ity as people"
In that address Washington con-
tends, in part, - for the promotion Of
institutions of learning; l2) for cher
ishing the public credit; tSl for the
observance of good faith and justice
toward all nations.
One hundred years ago free schools
were little known in the United States.
There were excellent schools for the
welI-to-do aud charitable institutions
for the instruction of boys and girls
without means, but the free Public
School-open alike to the children Of
the rich and poor and supported by the
State-awaited creation aud develop
ment- The seed planted by the fathers
soon bore fruit. Free schools were the
necessary supplement of free men. The
wise and liberal provisions for public
instruction by the fathers, second only
in effect to their struggle for the inde-
peadence and creation of the Union,