The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-22
THE FArfER OF HIS COUNTRY

ington revival so to speak, which has
given us much of what is called the per-
sonal side of the great leader whose birth
day We commemorate.
Thersis thus an abundance of material,
made available for thorough acquaint-
snce with Washington aud upon no figure
in history has tho searohlight Lesn
turned with result moro gratifying to
tho great majority Of men who, having
idols are jealous in behalf of their preser
walton. Ihs more that is learned OF
Washington the more eminent he appears
the more imposing is his stature among
mortals. His grandeur is not at all a
thing OF history dissolving into tradition
but becomes more fixed and certain in its
lines the more closely IL is inspected by
the standards, real or relative, with which
r.en are judged by their fellow men to be
finally accorded their inches i'm the roomy
temple of fame. He was great In the
view of his contemporaries and, 10y the
samo comparisons, he would have been
great among the men of any period of
the century that is passing. even APP
preached by only rare few of the world $
leaders vino have lived after him. And
the combination of commanding attrib-
utes which contribute TO h prestige can
but be as unusual in the future history
the world as it has always been. The
majesty Of those talents and attributes
is fit to DO worshiped. That they were
at tho command OF our nation will for
ever be our national pride, and put for
them national existence would long have
beer delayed, even II it had ever come
into being.
We aie sometimes made to feel that we
live in an idol shattering and hero-doubt-
ing age, but perhaps that only means
NhoN NO oio klONh nCttDA-
ing contemporary or partisan opinion In
fixing the value OF our leaders, taking
little on faith, but exercising closs scrut-
iny and demanding to know exactly of
conditions and circumstances before
setting up our gods. But behind no par
dopable patriotism nsed the national
admiration and reverence for Washington
take refuge from critic sceptic or honest
inquirer, for he Is not alone great among
our national figures, but OF equally sur
passing proportions among the great men
Of the worlds history, his lofty rank
remarkably attestsd when we consider
that he lived 10 complete well rounded
life of great deeds and never failed in a
upon him In accordance with the con-
fident expectations which every step in
his career created in his contemporaries,
willis equally have the works that he
performed found absolute endorsement in
the retrospect of the years that have oil
lowed. TO the youth Of the land he fur
ntshss Hn inspiring model from which
the teacher is required to make no excep-
tion or qualification. Pre-eminent alike
as statesman and as soldier, possessed of
all the qualifications that make for great.
ness in civil, as we'll as military life, In
his capacity of private citizenship he Is
not less worthy to be honored for the
in high degree Of the hum
bier characteristics which men respect In
one another In the common walks of life,
but which too often must We be called
upon TO leave out Of the reckon
ing in waving men of larger
prominence in history. TO tell false
hood to break an engagement, to commit
a dishonorable act, was impossible to
and as thus, like him, the
humblsst may be great In respect to char
acter, so II Is lesson worth the learning
from his life that. without the moral
strength that he possessed, maintained
through heroic tests and mighty tempta-
tions, the fans which the world accorcs
him could not have teen anhieved.