The Irish standard., 1899-12-16
Career of the Great American is
Eloquently Related
BY THE LEARNED CATHOLIC PRELATE
A Masterly Eulogy on His Grand
Life and Character.

The sentiments of all Catholics of this
republic toward the Father of their
country were we'll voiced by Bishop
England, who delivered mastery
eulogy on the life and character OF
Washington more than sixty years ago.
The bishop said in part:
Friends and Fellow Citizens: That
it is useful to lay aside particular days
for the celebration of great events is
sustained not only by the usage OF all
nations, but by the advantages result
ing from such usage. Each succeeding
week is, by divine institution, marked
by a day made holy; man is thus re-
minded OF his duty to his Creator; he
thereon withdraws from the hustle Of
worldly occupation, he devotes himself
to the contemplation OF his eternal des-
tiny, he seeks to discover the means
whereby he may secure his lasting hap
piness; for this purpose he revises his
conduct, endeavors to correct his faults,
to make progress in virtue, to partake
of the benefits of religious observance
That great Being from whom this
precept for this observance emanated,
was we'll acquainted with Our nature;
because He formed us, and was able to
regulate and to direct the work Of His
own hands. The law was enacted to
preserve in our memory recollection
of our duty, to enforce its obligation
on the understanding, to excite the will
to resolve upon its performance, and
to interweave an attachment for it with
our dearest possessions.
George Washington was at an early
moment placed in the most favorable
position that the circumstances of the
colony would allow, for the best educa
ton that could be obtained, from an
intercourse with those whose minds
were cultivated. At an early period he
had obtained over the minds of his
companions that moral ascendancy
which through life he was enabled by
'the very same principles, more fully
developed and more extensively ap-
piled, to gain over his fellow citizens
and to preserve to the termination of
his life. His love of discipline caused
him to be placed at the head of their
little military organizations; his probity
and judgment secured to his awards,
as arbiter in their differences, ready
and willing execution. His exercises
were such as fitted him for activity and
vigilance, and his love for mathematics
and attention to forms of business
showed fondness for order, patience
of toll, desire of improvement and
steadiness of purpose not often found
in youth Of only ID years of age. We
have already seen in the boy many
traces OF what became the character of
the man. Washington may, under God,
be considered as having been fashioned
by special providence. At this early
period he had already laid down or
adopted wise code for the regulation
OF his conduct.
Washington's first public mission was
not only of highly confidential but
of an extremely perilous nature. The
French had crossed the northern lakes,
which had been assumed by Great Brit
ain as the natural boundary between
their respective colonies. The governor
and council of Virginia resolved that it
would be proper, as both nations were
at peace, to send an officer to the
French commander with a request to
know by what authority he had ad-
vanced. Major Washington was select
ed. With party OF seven companions
he set forward, and by climbing
scrambling, fording and swimming he
reached the Monongafe1a and Allie
ghany at the point where their juncturc
forms the Ohio. Upon his return he
delivered the answer of the French COM
,mander and placed his own journal in
the hands OF the governor. This journal
was not only printed in Virginia, but
also, by the direction of the English
government, it was published in Europe
and was highly commended in both
places.
The agency of this man as he ad-
vanced in life upon a more extended
field, in more elevated stations, and
amongst persons Of more importance,
necessarily attracts more attention, and