The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-23

ory Of the irst president OF the United
States and the patriotic themes which clus-
Ter th.ckly abou, his life and work. re-
Joice with you In the day. / rejoice, also.
that through the bread land the birthday
of me patriot leader Is faithfully observed
and celebrated with an enthusiasm and
earnestness which testify to the virtue and
gratitude Of the American people. II would
not DC possible in the comparatively short
time TO which these exercises must today
be limited to follow Washington in his
long and distinguished service ar the head
OF the army and as chief executive OF the
government. Ny purpose Is simply 70 call
70 your attention few points in Washing
tons career which have singGlarly i'm
pressed me and refer TO some pasSa ges
in his writings that seem peculiarly appro
PIRATE for the guidance Of the people who
under our form OF government have in
their keeping the well-5eing of their coun-
try.
Washington a Constructive Salesman
"In It's entirety Washington's public life
IS as familiar TO the Americans as the
history Of the United States. They are
associated in holy and indiSsoluble bonds.
The one is incomplete without the other.
Washingtons character and achievements
have been a part Of the school books OF
the nation for more than century ana
have moved American youths and Aneri-
can manhood to aspire 10 the highest deals
of responsible citizenship. With enduring
fame as a graf soldier. the world has re-
cognized his equal mplishments in the
paths Of statesmanship. AS Il soldier ne
was peerless In the times IN which ne
lived and as a statesman his rank IS ixed
as the most ilustrious in any country Or
with all our pride in Washington. we
not infrequeutly fail TO give him credit
for his marvellous genius as a constructive
statesman. We are constantly in dan
ger Of losing sight of the sweep ana clear
ness Of his comprehension. which &C
curatelv grasped the problems of the re-
mote future. and which formulated the
best means for their solution. II was
committed to Washington to launch our
ship OF state. lie had neither precefent
or predecessor TO help him He welded
the scattered. and at times antagonisuc;
colonies into an indestructible union, and
inculcated the lessons of mutual torbear-
ance and fraternity which have cemented
the states into still closer bonds oil inter
est and sympathy From the hour when
home that he would raise a thousand men
ana equip them at his own expense 10
march to the defense Of Boston. he be
came the masterful spirit Of the Cont
mental army. and the mightiest single fac
tor in the continents struggle for liberty
and Independence Apparently without
personal ambition. spurnng royal honors
when suggested TO him. he fultlled q still
more glorious destiny as the guiding force
OF civilization freer and mightier than
Though Washington's exalted character
and the most striking acts Of his brilliant
record are the more familiar TO be re-
counted here where so many times they
have received eloquent and deserved
eulogy yet. often the story is retold,
Il engages our love and admiration anew.
We love to recall his noble unselishness.
his hs.oic purposes, The power OF his mag
rssssstsfft personality. hts glorious achieve
ments and his stalwart devotion 10 In
dependence. liberty and union. Those
cannot be too often told or be too IA
milarly known
His Personal Character.
"A STAKEHOLDER himself. he vet hated
slavery, ard provided in his will for the
emancipation OF his slaves. Not col
lege graduate. he was always enthusi-
asticaHy the friend OF liberal education
lie used on suitable coca si0ns 10 Impress
upon congress and the country the i'm
portance OF a standard of general etiuCa-
tion, and characterized the diffusion OF
knowledge as the most essential element
of strength in the system Of free govern
ment. That learning should 20 with uh-
erty, and that liberty is never entangIed
so long as II Is IN the keeping of inteil!-
gent citizens was the ideal civic code
which his frequent utterances never failed
As Christian.
And how reverent was always this
great man. how prompt and generous his
Itcosnitlon OF the guiding hand OF Divine
Providence ia establishing and cortrot-
ling the deStinies Of the colonies and the
republic Again and agaiH-ia his talks
ard IN his letters IN his state papers and
formal addresses he revealed this side
OF his character. the force OF which we
stlll feel and, / trust. we always VIII Al
the very height % his success and re-
ward, as he emerged from the revolution.
receiving by unanimous acclaim the
p.Audits or people ana commanding the
respect and admiration of the civilized
world. he did no; forget that his first
oflcial act IS president should be fervent
supplication 10 the Almighty Being who
rules the universe. IT is He who presides
IN the council Of nations and whose provi-
Dental aid can supply every human de-
feet. 1t is His ben"dtctiOn which We most
a. u .sr1aa ar-st se-