El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-23

from the apOcryphal writer has q
spec al appropriateness for this day,
which we may make the memorial of q
truly great man. Yesterday was the
one-b undr edith anniversary of the death
of George Washington, who still lives
in the hearts OF his cOuntrymen, and
whose noole and devoted life cannot be
TOO frequently brought to their minds.
Every word of praise recounted by Ec-
cleslasticus was merited by him. He
was Ooe of those through whom 'God
wrought great glory" He "bore rule"
in the state, and ''gsve counsel by his
understanding. He was "a leader of
Instruction" He was "hOnored in his
day" and left behind a name'' to flu
ture generations, SO that 'his glory
shall not be blotted out" His body is
buried in peace, but his name liveth
forevermore. He deserves the place
he holds in the thoughts of the Ameri-
can people, because he was identified
with every step in the succession of
events that made US q nation. He was
the central figure and most energetic
worker in the various endeavOrs that
laid the foundation of this republic and
started it on it's career of prosperity.
Though hundred years have rolled
over the day that brought him to his
tomb, he is still cherished by a CRATE
full people and should be remembered
for centuries to come.
It Ia fitting that tribute should be
paid to his memory in the temples of
every sect and denomination through
out the land. First, because Washing
ton was an exemplar of what is best in
religion. With firm faith in the Al
mighty and ever eager to worship
Him, be recognized that the true SER
vice of God is the service of man; and
accordingly he gave his life in unset
fish devotion to his country and his fell
lowmen. Though he zealously main
tanned the tenets of the church to
which he belonged, yet with broad
mindedness he recognized the right of
every man to worship God according 10
the dictates of his own conscience. He
respected people, not for their belief,
but for their deeds, and was friend to
every honest, upright patriotic man,
no matter what was his creed.
Secondly, the churches should all re-
member that to the work of Washington
and his able oolaborers are due, In a
large measure, the fourishing condi-
zion and powerful influence of religious
Institutions in this country at this very
day. There was afforded them, for the
first time in history, an opportunity of
pursuing their aims and developing
strength, untrammeled by government
or political influence. And tina result,
I think, has been that religion prob
ably holds more general respectand at
lection in the hearts of the people here,
than anywhere else. Religious liberty,
which all past ages and all other ma
tions In the world feared as q menace
and danger, and which has never yet
been established in it's true and full
meaning in any other laud, has proven
itself the greatest blessing. May
America, which in this has set an en-
1ghtened example to the world, ever
continue to uphold that sacred prin-
ciple, which 1t has to thank for much
of it's welfare aud progress.
Tt is especially incumbent upon us,
as Jews, to lay q wreath of respect or
the altar of Judaism to the illustrious
depar Jed. We do this FIRST and fore
most as Americans, in common with all
our fellow-citizens, thereby testifying
to our love for our country and proving
that we stand behind none in sincere
patriotism. We do it, also, as defend
ers of our ancient faith, for we have
prof1ted more than any others by the
spirit that animated Washington and
his contemporaries, q spirit with which
the American people has become
thoroughly and permanently imhued.
The settlers of this country, many OF
them victims of religious persecution,
were resolved that the benign atmos-
phere of freedom pervading this conti-
nent should refresh every tormented
soul, which should not be poisonedby the
noxious gases of biRotry. fsnsticism