The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-20
POW ERFUL,
Persistent and Direc-
tive
WAS WASHINGT0N
His Modern Prototype and
i What He Should Be.

last evening, gave another of his ad-
dresses on popular themes, taking as
his subject, 1.-THE Washington of to-
day" AS usual the address was lis
tened to by congregation that more
than comfortably filed the church.
The decorations and pulpit settings
were in keeping with the spirit of the
decoration. The front Of the choir bal
cony was hidden beneath mass of
large American flags, ana the reading
desk and pulpit were also entwined
with flags. At the extreme right of the
platform was a crayon portrait of
George Washington, while an excellent
likeness of President Mckinley stood
out in relief amid the flags back of the
pastors seat. Lilies and cut flowers
were also used in the decoration.
| DIR. Conrad took as the text for his
address, Luke, Wis: He loVeth our
nation" Said DR.. Conrad in part. THE
luStre of a noble life grows more re-
splendent with passing years. The hold
of George Washington on the hearts
OF the American people is persistent,
powerful and directive. A mighty in
| cent1Ve to virtuous and jealous citizen
ship Is furnished in the fact that a
century after his death, the unselfsh
patriot, the statesman, the prophet is
| aHectionately remembered and guides
by his wise counsel the affairs of state.
1t shows that the good that men do
lives after them. After reviewing the
messages, proelamations and addresses
OF the first president of the United
States / am more profoundly impressed
than ever with the nobility Of spirit,
the mental acumen and The heart-fer-
vor that called them forth. Only an
especial inspiration could have made
possible such sagacious discrimination,
such prophetic insignt, such grasp of
| political truth.
| Our republic was at the first and has
ever since been confronted with COM
pick problems, untrisd ways, the intri-
cacies Of which taxed the most vigor-
Gus intellects. Never have questions of
greater Importance presented them
selves to us than now. Never has there
been greater reason to studiously in
quire into the causes Of our national
security or to examine the principles
| that support and permeate our noblest
| institutions.
The quality Of American patriotism
has again and again been weighed in
the balance and in all emergencies has
been found equal to the exigencies Of
|
lures Of American citizenship is the
readiness with which it rises to great
occasions. A discriminating judicial
temper can alone save US from serious
political blunder and irreparable mis-
takes. We have concluded war Of
unsurpassed magnificence. 1t has en-
phasized the fact that true patriotism
is not matter of history. only, but that
it was never more intelligent, more fer
vid than now.
| The Washington of today as citizen,
statesman, general man. What will
he do? What may we expect Of
him? AS a citizen he will concern HIM
self to understand our personal obliga-
tons in g. free republic. He will not
indulge in Pharisaic righteousness that
will not permit him to soil his hands
In politics. The Washington Of today
will throw himself into those lines of
activity calculated to secure municipal
| righteousness and national honor.
| He will familiarize himself with our
national institutions and the obligation
of citizenship. The abstruse nature of
social problems will not discourage his
study. Equality of right before the
| law will be fundamental in his political
| creed. Glass distinctions will be OPP
posed and unrighteous denominations Of
either man or money will be met with
protest. Establishments in our indus
trial regime are inevitable. A hui
manitarian impulse has set in. The
| tide will not turn. Ultra individual
| ism results in anarchism. Ultra collect
ivism results in paternalism. Neither
| contain sufficiency Of truth to keep the
nation united.
| The Washington of today will lay
aside his preferences for retirement and
offer himself where he can best serve.
What can be more beautiful than the
modesty with which Washington ac-
cepted the presidency of the United
States? His craftsmanship is a model
of unselfishness, magnanimity coupled
with courage and flrnness. We need
| today more of that broadminded pat
| rfotism that rises above the narrow con-
| troversies and hide bound provincialism
| that lead to sectional strife. There must
| be larger considerations for those who
| differ from JUS. A binding partisan
ship is to be guarded against. The in
| terests of the whole people should be
| our concern.
| Then, too, the Washington Of today
| will be far-sighted. 1t is the extended
view that presents things in their right
relations. Changing conditions de-
| mand changes of administration, meth
cd and policy. A nation that lives In
the past, dies. Every citizen with q
ballot in his hand ought to be citizen
statesman Recent events reveal an
intellectual and moral wealth, q
bread-mindedness and far-sightedness
calculated to inspire confidence
Washington, the general, presents an
example Of military citizenship. Every
man ought to possess the soldier spirit.
Obedience, dignity, benignity and
courage, all these things were illustrat-
ed in his life. They are indispensable to
noble citizenship. Let the carriage be
dignified and the attitude that of ona
conscious of self-mastery.
Behind, beneath and through the
lustre of the citizen, the statesman and
the general was surpassed by master
full manhood. The browning glory Of
that life was the splendid expression of
every manly virtue. The largest gift Of
Washington to his country was not his
civic eminence, not his mastery ability
as statesman not his military genius.
1t was his example to American youth
of manhood with an unblemished re-
cord and an unstained escutcheon. Here
we see gentleness coupled with justice,
economy without parsimoniousnes
geniality without superficiallty, religion
without cant, heroism without vanity.
In concluding his address, DR.. Con-
rad took advantage of the opportunity
to touch upon the seating of Roberts in
the United States Senate. In leading up
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