The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-26
THE. TRUE WASHINGTON.

Apropos OF the centenary OF his
death in December. the editor OF the
Century comments thus upon the life
and fame Of the first president:
1t can be said that not only the fame
of Washington has greatened during
the century that has flown since his
death, but the knowledge -a#4 under
standing of him have likewise largely
increased. The sculptor, Daniel French.
in the Washington that he has MOD
eled for the Paris monument mas ex-
pressed the grandeur Of his fame. Here,
with sword and brow lifted toward
heaven. he appears as a worId-hero'
there is something Of the demigod' OF
the creature OF tradition, Of myth. In
attitude and respect.
TO be sure. there was an unusuaI
dignity about the person and reputa-
tion of this hero, both during the tlnie
OF his greatest activity and later in his
career. There are none now living VINO
can make direct report OF the enec OF
his presence upon beholders. but there
are many who have had from thost who
saw him an account. at nrst nand' OF
this effect. The present wr.,er can new
er forget a description of his appear
ance from the lips Of an old gentleman
who had been one Of the band OF chill
dren who strewed flowers oerore fftiii
at Trenton, on his way 10 MS ma augurh-
tion at New York. And. besides there
are many printed records or the dlgnl-
~ of his bearing. and the impression OF
majesty produced upon lndlVldusls anu
the multitude.
As this country has grown. and as the
Importance OF his work Is more anu
more appreciated and, too as ne re-
cedes in Stance. Washngtons true
proportions are appreciated, ana ne
looms even more grandly. Compared
indeed with the unselfshness OF MS ac-
tions and the nobility Of his aims most
OF the worlds. conquering heroes ana
makers OF nations seem, IN moral coih-
parison. a herd OF self-seeking Vulga-
rians.
Yet. while he has Joined the ranks OF
the worlds mi-gods. he has. at the
same time, become nearer and more hu-
man 10 us through q closer study OK
his personality The true Washlng-
ton is no less dignliled but much more
sympathetic figure II we know the
heTceness of his anger. We honor All the
more the power Of his self-control. IL
we recognize the intensity Of his love
for country life (and something OF
revival OF the love for such life makes
the present generation more apprecia-
tive OF this amiable traiO, still the
keener our sense OF his sacrifice TO cuty
In relinquishlng that life for the camp
and the halls OF govern .nent
In order to exalt the wisdom OF WASH
inGton and 20 insist upon the import
ance OF his farewell advice 10 his peo-
pie. II is not necessary TO lmpute 10 him
supernatural enlightenment. And yet
So clear and right was his thinking on
themes of government and so valua-
BILE have proved his principles. that
he would be n rash counsellor who
would call for the utter disregard "
any one OF these principles Certainly
as 90 the conditions TO which his advee
directly applied. events have proved
that NJ saw not only deeply but far At
what point any of his specific views
may cease 10 be- of service as n present
guide. u will ba difiicuh indeed. 90 de-
termine: and there will always be dan
ger that a wave of sentiment NAV 81
any time drive a not phlegmatic people
from moOrings afterward found 90 be
the safest