Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1899-07-21


had kindly consented to present to
them their diplomas.
After a solo by Miss Fanny @.
Amidon, instructor in vocal music
at the training school, who has a
voice of great power, yet wonder
fully sweet and expressive, Lieut..
Governor Devine delivered a most
interesting lecture on "Washing-
ton" OF which the following is d
synopsis:
The past century has been one of
revolution, of change; of religious,
scientific, political and great material
advancement. The American drum
beat has been heard around the world,
and the power of tyranny has every
where been shaken. Amid all these
changes-the progress of the cross
excepted-there has appeared no OBJ
ject more dear than the life and death
of the soldier of liberty. No event
more imposing than those with which
he has been connected. The American
idea has already penetrated the dark
ness of an European despotism, has
kindled the camp fires Of liberty
around the palaces of Kings and
planted her standards on the highest
SUBMITS. And wherever that example
has been known the name of Washing
ton has been heard, holding out to
ambition it's loftiest prizes; to tyranny
its strongest warning; to enslaved man
assurance of ultimate relief.
Men delight to exalt the character
of their race, and as the glory of the
individual makes q, far more lively
Impression on the imagination, and on
the feelings than that of the multi
tude, let us call up the picture of
Westinghouse life and place it before
us, not to examine its details, but to
contemplate its just proportions, it's
admirable harmony, its lights, and
shadows, its most prominent peculiari-
ties and its general and grand effect.
Let us catch a portion of the inspira-
ton breathed around it.
Sippgnal hpnors were paid by Eng
..asid ahseata9 dee to George Washing
ton, a simplex Virginia gentleman who
had never left his oth country, and
who, when he died, held no higher
office than the title of Commander of
q provisional army. The name of
Washington is inseparably linked with
a memorable epoch. He adorned this
epoch by his talent, and the nobility
OF his character, and with virtues tka
even envy dared not assail. History
offers few examples of such renown.
Great from the outset of his career,
patriotic before his country had bel
come a nation, brilliant and universal
despite the passions and political re-
sentiments that would gladly have
checked his career-his fame is today
imperishable. Risking fortune, it
might be to gain a halter-enduring
privations, sufferings and years of toll
for the sake of principle-he presents
a picture on which the eye rests with
ever increasing admiration. One can
not think of him in the first years of
the war without the deepest emotion
tried to the utmost-crippled in all his
efforts; he suffered only as great hearts
can suffer, at the dishonor that seemed
before him. Yet, he stood there silent,
with lips closed, least it should dis
courage the nation for which he en-
dured and suffered and fought.
Napolean once said that everyone had
his moment of fear. In this moment
of fear, a great advantage may be lost,
and a whole campaign ruined. But
one cannot point to a spot in Wash
ington's career where his frmness
forsook him for an instant. One can
not mention an example that does not
find its parallel in him. The world
gazes with awe on Napoleon rushing
over the bridge of Arcola and planting
his standard amid the storm of fire
that swept it; Washington spurred up
to the very muzzles Of the enemies
guns at Princeton, and sat beneath
his country's flag where the shot fell
like hail about him. Washington
could not stay beaten. They might
drive him from post to post and they
did, diminish and dishearten his army
till only a handful were left. around
him. Yet he showed the same firm
presence and unalterable resolution.
A striking feature in Washington's
character was the sway he exercised
over all other men-the good revered
him while the bad stood beside him in
awe. Lafayette loved him and bound
himself soul and body to his fortunes.
The r%evengeful and conspiring Con.
way, thinking his last hour had come,
writes from his bed of pain, "Justice
and truth prompt me to declare my
last sentiments-you are in my eyes a
great and good man." The soldiers
stood ready at a moments notice to
suffer, to do and to die for him. At an
early age great responsibilities were
thrown upon him. At the time we
study him the fate of a nation was in
his keeping. A mans occupation al
ways affects his manners; a ruler be-
comes naughty; a warrior stern and
decided; mon pressed down with i'm
mense burdens and entrusted with
vast responsibilities, reserved and
silent. No man ever before rose out
of the mass of the people to such op-
portunity and power without abusing
it.. History searches in vain for such q
military leader. In moral elevation
no warrior Of ancient or modern times
approaches him. His patriotism has
become the admiration of the world,
AS a warrior he may be surpassed, but
as a complete man the history of the