The Portland daily press., 1899-12-15

1t is fortunate thing indeed that we
have the capacity to be touehsd. thrilled
and inspired by those who are above us.
"It Ia the germ and promise of progress,
we are educated by our admirations.'
We should rejoice that this Is so, and the
more we admire Washington the greater
will be our regard sani reverence for the
precepts he inouloated and sxempiitied |;
ths influences and power of which has
placed this republic In the fore front of
the federation Of Nations"
That such . man should have been the
Father of his country" and the ideal OF
Its succeeding generations Of citizens is .
boon from Heaven, which no other land
can claim. France boasts Of Napoleon,
and England of Wellington. We thank
God for George Washington. The ideal
and pursuit Of France Is glory. Let the
ideal and pursuit Of this republic so long
as 1t shall endure be that Of TIE moon i.
parable Washington, integrity, patriotism
and honor. ''Then," as has been truly
said, "God and the centuries will take
care Of ths glory"
In closing, let me emphasize AMI en-
force briefly two precspts suggested by
this hour and theme:
And lst-As sons of the American
Revolution, expect you to give to your
county the trusst and noblest manhood.
The integrity of the republic depends en-
tirely up on tho character of the in
dividual citizen. II he be pure, enlight-
ened and patriotic, the nation will be
just and righteous, And 40 say to you
compatriots, II you would have this RS
public "trus and strong and pure. you
must begin by making yourselves true
and strong and pure"
Not only do many serious problems
confront the nation, but there are ele-
ments at work within its confines, which
II unchecked, will impede our prosperity
ami imperil our instit utions.
We cannot shake of the responsibility
which rests upon us at this hour. The
times demand "strong minds great
hearts, true faith and re ady hands,"
Men "who live above the fog in public
duty and In private thinking" yes. men
who Will not give up thu fight with this
forces of evil till the victory is won.
This Is u patriotism that tests men,
souls to the utmost, for 1t demands quiet,
unselfsh, persistent endeavor, but 1t Is
the only patriotism which will save
merican institutions from destr uction,
and make the American name as the
symbol of freedom and improve progress,
nonored throughout the world.
Secondly-Bs intense and loyal Ameri'
cans citizens.
1hs noble man whose memory We
ohsrish and revere today gave his life to
found this republio.
1t was for the principles which underlis
our tree institutions that he fought so
heroic for seven weary years. When
Col. Nicola, the representative Of the dis
Affected members OF the army, wrote
Washington urging him to assume ths
dictatorship by force, his noble reply
| was; "If am not deceived In the
knowledge Of myself, you could not have
found person to whom your schemes are
more disagreeAble." he held every man
In this republic TO be . king. His idea OF
king or pope is wholly anti American.
This idea which has made this republic
what 1t 1t Is. demands independent think
ing In both state and church. Free
thought. free speech, fres schools. free
ballot, and free press-these are all dis
tinctively American ideas. And true
Americanism consists in standing for
tn EN-. and II need be. dying In their de-
Tense. This Is Washingtonism. 1t 10 the
ideal which should dominate and inspire.
not only those of ms who constitute the
mem bsr ship Of this society. but Of every
citizen who dwelis In peace and safety
under the ample folds Of "the ensign OF
the free.
II the observance or this anniversary
shall In any way help to keep alive the
spirit Of true patriotism and Of unssitish
devotion to the principles upon which the
union was founded. our effort win not
have been in vain.
Com patriots and friends. let us ever
hold In grateful remembrance the life.
character and service Of Washington.
whose noble qualities shine more re-
splendsnt with each succeeding genera
| ton.
Let US as patriots. ever pray that the
great virtues illustrated by him may be
more and more manifested In our nation
al life. That the principles upon which
be administered tho government may
guide Its administration till the end Of
| time.
God bless our native land;
FIRM may she ever stand,
Ihru III storm and night