The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-22
GEORGE WASHINGTON,

when old things terminate and new
commence. it has been said by Brown
ing. "a solitary great man is worth the
world"
Washington was such man at such
a time This, the anniversary of his
berth, is one of the sacred holidays of
the nation. II is observed, his memory
is honored his name is praised because
he was truly great
The foremost champion of our indie
pendence, the leading spirit of the rev.
olution, the exemplar of perfect patriot
ism. the founder in fact, of this re-
public. for he put away the prOffered
crown of life tenure presented by de-
voted people. he gave to them the
sovereignty which made of this a gov
eminent of, for and by the people. 1t
may have been swerved occasionally
from the straight path by corrupt in
fluences, but in the main the ship of
state has held the course upon which
it was started in the time of Washing
ton.
The anniversary of his natal day was
set apart as a national holiday in the
early youth of the republic. The COM
memoration of his birth and life had
become the annual observance in near
ly every community before it was legal
lied in the various states.
This is to the everlasting credit of
the American people. 1t is a fitting
tribute to the worth and work of one
10 whom they owe more than to any
other fellow citizen. 1t is a holiday
which springs from the hearts of a
grateful people. perpetuated by common
consent. and legalized in every state
but five.
From whatever standpoint we view
George Washington he was q great
man. Always a patriot of the highest
type, he was great as a general, great
as a statesman. great as a leader of
men in every capacity. He was the
leading spirit of the American Tevolu
ton from first TO last. Assailed by
SANDER, weakened by privation, be
trayed by pretended friends, over
whelmed with doubts and difficulties
which discouraged and disheartened
other generals ne was calm. resolute,
persistent. through it all and triumph
ant in the end
Washington was not so typical an
American as Lincoln, but he was the
ideal American. He was such a char
acter from his boyhood to his last day.
His career is a fascinating study. He
was a lover of sports, giant in
strength, an athlete in action, and yet
as dignified as an emperor and as grave
as god.
Ills education and early experiences
prepared him for his high destiny. In
TIE beginning he was drilled in the
manual Of arms by German officer,
who had drifted from the West Indies
TO the south bank of the Potomac.
Then he pursued the occupation of
surveyors hardy outdoor life. teach
ing woodcraft, self-reliance. contact
with rough elements and Tousher men,
tramping ali day through the woods
and sleeping on the ground before open
fires. His associates passed a great
portion Of their time on horseback, and
packs of hounds and superb horses in
vited bold riders To deer hunting and
the fox chase. When IS years of age,
George Washington was appointed one
Of four military aides of Governor Din
1yiddie. ,vith the rank of major, TO look
after the scant military organization
of the commonwealth. 1t was a severe,
but a wholesome course OF study for
him before his 20th birthday
When the governor of Virginia de-
sired TO send a trusty messenger with
a letter TO the French commandant
known to be somewhere on the line be-
tween Lake Erie and the Ohio river
TO demand in the name of the king of
England the possession of the Ohio
country. he found the ideal man for
the enterprise in Major George Wash
ington, who set out from Williamsburg
on that errand in November. 1888. and
proceeded by way of Wills creek. now
Cumberland. and found the French
headquarters within thirteen miles of
the site of Erie, Pa On the way he
counted the canoes constructed at the
French fort where now stands Pitts
burg. and for which the timber was
prepared, and correctly estimated the
French expedition down the river the
following spring.
He not only delivered the letter, but
he made valuable use of his time and
opportunities. Nothing escaped his no
tice Everything his country needed
he understood. Every service that lay
in his power to give. whether solicit
ed or not. was given. 1t was SO all
through his life.
These traits, this courage, this vigil
ance, this constant devotion to coun-
try. were the secrets of his success.
Few men. even OF those perilous
times. were more often exposed II
death. yet he was never wounded. Al
ways at the front, where the bullets
flew thickest and the dreaded toma-
hawk was hurting through the air. he
seemed 10 bear a. charmed life The