Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-04-05
PRESENT-DAY THOUGHTS.
BY G. GRosvENoR DAVE.

A few words are now timely as to the
progress of the idea for making next De-
eember IA (the hundredth anniversary of
his DEATH a Washington memorial day
throughout the country.
1t is winning approval in several impor-
tant bodies, and their influence is already
being exerted to bring it to pass.
The Society OF American Authors has
sent the following resolution in engrossed
form to the president, vice president and
to the speaker of the House. In addition
it has distributed one thousand printed
copies throughout the country:
"whereas, the fourteenth day of next Decem-
Der marks the completion of one hundred years
since the death of George Washington; and
"Whcreas. the Society OF American Authors
recognizes the importance of giving special
emphasis to such centennial; therefore be 1t
"Resolyed, by the society in annual meeting
assembled, that lit recognition of the occasion
would he the legal cessation of all avoidable
labor for that day In order that the nation may
he free to do honor to the memory of one whose
life and acts and patriotism have In large
measure rendered possible the progress, the
strength and the political freedom of the
United States"
Similar action has been taken by other
important patriotic bodies.
One thousand men and boys on the
crowded east side OF New York-nearly
all Of them Russian exiles-haye signed
petition to Governor Roosevelt asking for
the same thing, because they recognize
how much OF the hopefulness that fills the
heart OF the emigrant comes from the
leadership and success Of Washington
himself, the leader OF large proportion of
emigrants.
The adjutant general and chief of staff
OF the United Confederate Veterans,
writes: 1.-The United Confederate Veteran
association is purely social, literary, his
torical and benevolent and OF course was
formed for the specific purpose of caring
for MANNED and disable veterans, but
am sure that every old veterans heart will
throb in approval of anything which Is
done to honor the Father OF His Country"
The plans of the various masonic bodies
throughout the country are also rapidly
maturing. Every grand lodge OF the
country will be represented at the Mt.
Vernon gathering on December IA, and
there is also being completed an effort to
have every lodge in every corner of the
country publicly identify itself with local
effort to do honor 10 the one though dead,
yet speaketh.
Many universities and colleges are
taking suitable action.
These encouraging details are merely
partial echoes of what is going on; for
when public opinion approves a plan it
progresses by leaps and by bounds, and
waits for no hand to record it. The
strength of this movement is that it is
based upon sentiment. When sentiment
and dreams and visions shall fade out of
national life, it will be a sad day for US.
These three are they that cause discomfort
with mere living, and make US lay hold on
the past and forestall the future as a
means of thrilling our hearts with en-
nobling ideas of national purpose, prog
ress and destiny.
What are you, Individually, doing to
create public opinion in this matter?
Public opinion is the play OF the word,
thought and deed of neighbor upon neigh
Dor. 1t is neither a far-away thing nor
mysterious. Try your own power in
creating enthusiasm about Washington
and thus honor the honored dead.