The Forrest City times., 1898-02-25
and sympathy

From the hour when Washington declared in
MS virginia home that he would raise thou
SAND men. anu equip them q his own expense
to march to the defense of Boston he became
the masterful spirit of the continental army
nn1 the mightiest single factor in the con-
tnentS struggle for liberty and independence.
Apparently without personal ambition spurn-
ing royal honorS when they were suggested to
him. he fulfilled Il still more glorious destiny as
the guiding force of civilization freer and
mightier than the history OF man had ever
known.
Though Washingtons exalted character and
the most striking acts of his brilliant record
are too familiar TO be recounted here where so
many times they have received eloquent and
deserved eu!Ogy, vet often aS the story is retold
II engages our love and admiration and inter-
est We love to recall his noble unSelhShneSS
his heroic purpose. the power of his magnih-
cent personality. his glorious achievements for
mankind, and his Stalwart and unfliching de-
votion to independence. liberty and
union Those can not be 100 often told or be
too iamlllary known. A Shareholder himself. he
yet hated slavery. and provided in his will for
the emancipation of his slaves. Not a college
graduate. he was always enthusiastically the
friend OF liberal education. He used on every
suitable occasion to impress upon congress and
the country the Importance OF high standard
OF general education, and characterized the diff
fusion OF knowledge as the most essential ele-
mcnt of strength in the system of free Covern-
ment That learning should 20 With liberty
and that liberty il never endangered so long as
it is in the keeping of intelligent citizens, was
the ideal civic code which his frequent utter
ances never failed to enforce
how prompt and generous his recoynition of
the guiding hand OF Divine Providence in es-
tablishing and'controlling the destinieS of the
colonies and the republic. Again and again
in his talks in his letters in his state papers
and federal addresSes-he reveals this side Of
his character, the force OF which still feel,
and trust we always will.
At the very height OF his success and reward
as he emerged from the revolution, receiving
by unanimous acclaim. the plaudts of the peo-
pie. and commanding the respect and admira-
world FORGET
that his first official act as president
should be teryent Suppl1catton to the Almighty
Being who rules the universe. 1t is He who
preSides in the councils Of nations. and whose
providential aid can supply every human de-
feet. 1t Is His benedction which we most
want, and which can, and will conSecrate the
liberties and happiness OF the people OF the
United States. Win His help the Instruments
OF the citizens employed TO carry out their pur-
poses will succeed in the functions allotted TO
public life
But Washington on this occasion. went fur
ther, 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 career
of the strong foundations OF the government
then inaugurated. And. proceeding, Washing
ton states the reason for his belief IN language
so exalted that il should be craven deep upon
the mind Of every patriot: No people can be
bound to acknow ledge 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 advanced to
the character OF an independent nallOu seems
to have been distinguished by some token of
proyidential agency: and, in the important
revolution just accomplished in the system OF
their united government. the tranquil del1bera-
tionS and voluntary consents Of so many dis
tinct communities from which the events re-
suited can not be compared with
the means by which most govern
ments have been established without
some return Of pious gratitude. along with an
humble anticipation Of the future blessings
which the same seems to pressage. The refec-
tions arising out of tie 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 pro-
ceedingS OF a new and free government are most
auSpiciOuSly commenced.
The senate of the United States made fitting
response OF its 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 our most piouS gratitude.
and that they were inevitably led To acknowl-
edge and adore the Great Arbiter OF the univ
erSeby wlom empires rise and fall
Congress- added its sanction by providing that
after the oath shall have been administered
10 the president. he. attended by the Yice-preS-
ident and the members OF the senate and house
of representatives, proceed TO st. Paul 5 chap
el to hear Divine services performed by the
chaplain of congress. already appointed
Not alone upon days OF thanksgiving or in
times of trial should we, as people. remember
and follow the example thus set by the fathers,
but never In our future. aS a nation. should we
forget the great moral ana religious principles
which they enunelated ana uetehued as lhelr
most precious heritage.
In an age Of great activity OF industrial ana
commercial strife and of perplexing pr0Dle1S/
we should never abandon the simple t-ith ia
Almighty God as recognized in ths MAMIE or the
American people by Washington and the Hrst
congress. 49,. -,
But a Timely lesson is TO be drawn from the
opinions OF Washington on his assuming the
once OF president 50, also, Is muth practleal
6enert 10 be derived from the present appilea-
lion of portions Of his farewell address doeu-
ment in which Wash ngton laid down princl-
nies which appeared To him All important to
the permanenee Of our felicity as people