Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-02-22
PRESENT-DAY THOUGHTS.
BY G. eRosvKHoR DAVE.

pressed in last weeks column, that 1879
being a century removed from the death
of Washington should be used in some
special way to commemorate him and
his work. has already begun to grow. The
president OF every college in the country
has been asked to think over the matter.
and the editor of each educational and
patriotic paper has been urged to favor a
plan that in its details must be worked
out after all by the plain people.
l find that all or nearly all the masonic
grand lodges have planned for pilgrimages
to the tomb of Past Master Washington.
But though the Masons mum Der 10000,
they represent only fraction Of the PEG
pie, and still smaller fraction would be
able TO take a long journey in order to
participate in commemorative exercises.
Even should all the great religious, civic,
secret or patriotic bodies send large dele
cations to Mt. Vernon gathering, it
comes after all to this-that the mass of
the people could not participate and must
perforee fail back upon local provisions or
do nothing at all
" hat seems. therefore, first practical
step? Surely this-in every state where
Legislature Is in session there hould flow
in upon the mem 0ers Of that legislature
aeiuEe Of la.1cz- i eng taeu ieiaa, they
adjourn 10 make sitting state provision for
a public concentration Of Washiuston's
life. Each reader OF this column may be-
come, therefore, at cost of two cents,
~ IN ka4
q great occasion : not allowed - pas uu-
noted and unhonored. Whether the pub
lie recognition should take the form of a
decree that all labor shall cease next De-
Gem Der Il, is question that may well be
considered seriously. Probably no method
could compare with this for bringing
home in a real sense to the real people the
actual value and import of Washington's
career.
In Alabama, Georgia. Iowa, Kentucky,
Louisiana. Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio,
Vermont and Virginia, different method
will have to be followed; for in none OF
these except Georgia will there be meet
ing of the legislature in time to take action
upon the subject. The mode of securing
the cessation OF la Dor for the day in these
states will be influenced by the powers OF
decree that rest with each governor. II
the governor OF such states has the power
to declare the day sacred 10 the commem-
Grafton of Washington, even moderate
pressure of the matter upon his attention
would bring the result; more especially If
states around him We're taking favorable
action.
While individual action Is powerful TO
influence legislators, concerted action is
still more so. You know dozen who
ought to join with you in petition-go
and find them; the power OF the twelve, If
they be not all of the sumo political com
plexion, VIII be greater than that OF
twelve individuals. Try it and prove it
As it is not possible for me to use the
space set apart By your eomplacent editor
for my column, in too frequent refer
ences TO one subject, / viii cover the
Washington matter still further in the
present column. and then leave the leaven
to work. While the cessation Of work
means much 10 Us who toll hard brain
wise. or hand wise IL is-like sunday
spent in Stun ber-not enough in itself to
do honor to the one " hose life has caused
the day TO be houored. Granting hen the
possibility OF December II as a holiday
let u call it holy day-there must needs
be the getting together now in early
spring OF those who intend the day shall
be well honored in order that details and
plans properly distributed among live
committees may be deliberately worked
out
The care and the painstaking will not be
wasted. for the celebration will be histor-
zeal among the nations of the earth. La
Dor, too, and the giving up of time, need
not be begrudged, for the occasion will
not offer for another hundred years, when
other hands than these shall be carrying
on the work of the world and still holding
firm, let US hope, the standard OF personal
probity and national liberty for which
Washington contended.
Naturally into such preliminary work
will gravitate the professional people
teachers, lawyers, physicians. But no suf-
ficient breadth will be impaired to the
work unless the women and the laboring
people are in it TOO, Perhaps the women
will be in il anyway. Look out. however,
for the one who earns his bread by the
sweat of his face. His interest in the
prime pies OF human freedom that Wash
ington espoused is even more practical
than to others They are his mainstay,
his bread and butter, his life He must be
in the plans, and his suggestions to the
country he has helped to upbuild will be
practical indeed.
1t shall not be celebration that has
meaning only to Daughters and Danes,
Sons and Founders. The wanderer from
afar is bound into the same bundle of life
with the descendants of Revolutionary
heroes. His very presence here proves
his admiration OF American principles.
his very presence here is what has rem
dered all things D1ssi l1Ie to the A ruerican