The Portland daily press., 1899-12-15
OF George Washington Who Died
100 Years Ago Yesterday.
Two Interesting Adj
dresses Delivered.
One by Hon. A. F. Moult0n, the
Other by Rev. G. NJ. Howe.

The sons Of the American Revolution
fittingly observed the Tooth anniversary
Of the dt ath of Washington by public
nesting at the First Parish church.
There was n large attendance and the ex-
ercisss were OF most Interesting char 40
ter. Hon. A. n. Moulton and Rev.
George III. Howe Of the Pine street Con-
rregational church Of Lewiston delivered
addresses. MIR. Mouiton presided and IN
calling the meeting to order said:
1t has been thought fitting that upon this,
the centennial anniversary of the death Of
George Washington, the Sons of the Ameri-
can Revolution should hold service CON-
memorative of tine great and good man
whose early existence reached its end one
hundred years ago.
Time, which in many cases has dealt ruth
lessly with great regulations, has, in no re-
spect, dimmed the luster Of Wnshington's
fame. His career was no accident. From
the time v hen as commander Of the colonial
forces of Virginia in the Fort Necessity cam
psign of 1854 to the date OF his death, forty
five years later, he was a conspicuous figure
in the history of his country. 1t is remark
able that during all that period there can be
found no act Of his which exhibits base or
unworthy motive. This is true not only of
his later years. when the responsibilities OF
conspicuous public position might well pro-
duce a repressive Effect, but also when as a
young man he was subject to no such re-
straint.
Ii is not unusual to hear Washington
spoken of as man of no brilliant parts,
and in a certain way this estimate of him is
IL
acted impuisively, but in all the various
duties imposed upon him there was no occs-
zion when he was not found capable OF
dong what was assigned him as well as the
best. What Washington might have ac-
comp.ished with ample means and upon a
large scale, we cannot tell. Some of his
bold strokes, like the crossing
of the Delaware, and winning victory
which carried CONSERVATION to his enemies
and revived the hopes of his friends, show
military skill ard daring of the highest
order. His management of campaigns
with such forces as be possessed lwon the
commendation Of Frederick the Great.
The most of his work was done under
every sort Of encouragement. Others have
faced an enemy as calamity as he. Others
have conducted campaigns with equal or
greater ability. but Washington was con-
spicuous, like Olympus among the hills. be-
cause, when weaker spirits regarded the
cause as ruined and further resistance hope
less, he never lost heart. When parties were
distracted, and knew not which way to turn.
he never faltered. When conspirsces were
set on foot against him and against the
cause. and he found himself compelled to
meet not only the open foe in front but
darker enemies in the rear, he suffered no
feeling of resentment to allow any wavering
in his straightforward course.
When his troops, hungry and in rags,
were made, by their sufferings, mut;nous and
angry. it was Washington who inspired
them with new courage and brought them
back TO order and to a sense Of their duty.
However misrepresented and maligned he
might be, he displayed no anger. With
opportunities presented of self aggrandize-
ment and even Of royal power, he al
lowed no selfish purpose to stand in the way
of his country's good. Through all those
Glow moving years of darkness, doubt and
danger his indomitable soul remained en-
tirely steady. Others learned to look to him
and 10 have faith in a cause which be was
leading, as the followers of Navarro came to
believe the battle was going well 80 long as
they saw the white plume OF their chieftain
in front.
Great as were the services of Washington
during the war, the advantage Of his leader
ship and example after its close were greater
still. For eight years the country had been
of necessity dominated by military power.
Other rivals had Withdrawn and he was the
recognized head of all the armies. There
was nothing in the history of the world to
indicate that a man in such position would
voluntarily abdicate. Abroad, it was gen.
orally expected that he would, in some way
perpetuate the control which was conceded
to HIM. Many believed it his duty to retain
the leadership and endeavored to persuade
him that it was only in such way that be
could save the country from anarchy. Il
would have been easy to convince himself
that such course was right, but hatter
and his own selfish Interests did not move
him from what he believed to be the true
path of patriotism. He performed the wor
committed to him, and when peace was con :
cluded he returned to the Congress the
commission and authority which they had
entrusted to him and voluntarily became
once more private citizen.
Who can appreciate the value of such an
example as thiss The world regarded it
with amazement. That example quieted the