The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-22

president he again refused a salary
| declaring that he belonged to his coun-
| try and it was entitled to his services.
| 1t is doubtful il any other man could
| the perils which beset it in the first
| eight years of it's history. AS Bancroft
| says, But for him the country could
| not have achieved its independence
| but for him it could not have formed
| it's union; and now but for him it could
not have set the government in success
| full motion"
| AS Columbus died without knowing
| that he had discovered a new continent,
! so Washington died without knowing
| certainly whether the young republic
| would survive the impending storms
and become a great nation or would
succumb to the dangers that threaten
ed At the time of his death war with
France, afterwards happily averted,
seemed unavoidable. Washington had
attended the Inauguration of his sue
the seclusion of Mount Vernon, hoping
to spend the few remaining years of
his life in peace and quiet. All seemed
bright before the young republic when
came the friction with France. War
was imminent, the army was reorgan-
lied and again the country turned to
Washington to save it from calamity.
He was again made commander-in-
chief of the American army and was
prevailed upon to accept his country's
call in spite of advancing age. But a
cold contracted at Mount Vernon devel-
oped into the sickness which ended his
great career and noble life. A few hours
before his death he said: Il die hard,
but I am not afraid to 60" His last
words were: at is well,'
When the news of Washington's death
reached Europe Napoleon ordered all
the standards and flags in his armies to
be covered with Grape for 10 days, and
the flags of the British fleet We're placed
at half mast. A few days after his
death congress passed a resolution rec
ommendng that Feb. 90 be set apart
as day for the people to assemble for
the hearing of eulogies, orations and
discourses and for expressions of grief
at the death Of Washington. The day
has been regularly observed as holiday
since then.
At this time, when the republic is on
the verge Of embarking on dangerous
course, when imperialism is the rally
ing cry OF ambitious politicians and al
iiances are talked about, an extract
from the farewell address of our first
president should be carefully read and
it would be well if it were needed. 1t is:
The great rule of conduct for us in
regard to foreign nations is, in extend
ing our commercial relations, to have
with them as little political connection
as possible. Europe has a set of pri-
mary interests which to US have none
or very remote relation. Hence she
must be engaged in frequent contro-
Versies. the causes of which are essen
TALLY foreign to our concerns. Hence,
therefore, it must be unwise in us to
implicate ourselves by artificial ties in
the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics,
or the ordinary combinations and col
lisions of her friendships or enmities.
Our detached and distant situation
invites and enables us to pursue differ
ent course. If we remain one people
under an efficient government the pc
Rod is not far off when we may defy
ance; when We may take such an atti-
tude as will cause the neutrality we
may at any time resolve upon to be
scrupulously respected; when belliger-
ent nations, under the impossibility of
making acquisitions upon us, will not
lightly hazard the giving us provoca-
ton; when we may choose peace or war
as our interest, guided by justice, shall
counsel.
why forego the advantages of so pc
culiar situation? Why quit our own
ITO stand upon foreign ground? Why,
by Interviewing our destiny with that
of any part of Europe, entangle our
peace and prosperity in the tolls of
European ambition, rivalship, interest,
humor or caprice?
TT is our true policy to steer clear of
permanent alliances with any portion of
the foreign world so far, I mean, as we
are now at liberty to do it; for let me
rot be understood as capable of pa
tronizing infdelity to existing engage
ments. But in my opinion it is On
necessary and would be unwise to eX-
tend them"