Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-22
WHAT WOULD WASHINGTON Dor

The United states Is confronted with
serious questions at this anniversary OF
the birth Of the human instrument
through which the Republic was
framed. To the cast and west
OF US are knocking for admit
lance into the slsterhOod OF
States and Territories. The ques-
ton OF connecting two oceans by
water way. thus changing. perhaps the
worlds great trade routes, Is one OF ab.
sorblng interest. And internal prob
lens, involving the Industrial and hnan-
cial status OF the nation, are hardly
less urgent.
AT times Of great crises nations natu-
rally turn the leaves OF history aud
dwell thoughtfully on the features OF
their prominent men. What would
these do under similar clrcumstancesY
The dealzed heroes that have no ex-
istence except In the imagination OF
eulogists are of no value at such times,
but the practical, matter-of-fact NOR
tails presented on the pages of history
eau serve as guides at many a critical
turn. All great men have been living
opponents Of true principles, and Il is
not possible to 80 very much wrong as
long as such principles are adhered TO.
Washington was above ell a praoti-
cal man. He was no visionary. He per-
formed his duty with no motive Of am
bitlon. II there is such a thing as do
Ing right, merely for the sake OF Its be-
ing right "the father OF his country
set the example He was valorous, and
perhaps never more so than when he
accepted the command Of the army
though conscious Of his unfitness for the
position. II beg," said he when selected
for that position. 1T may be relnem-
bered by every gentleman In this room
that this day declare with the utmost
sincerity l do not feel myself equal to
the command am honored WITH But
he accepted his duty and applied him
self TO II with all his gigantic powers.
He fought ,he foe from the outside, and
conquered rebellion and sedi;lon among
the ranks OF his own men.
Characters like that in the history
of the nation should exert an influence
upon Its history In all ages and partic-
ularly at critical times, They should
be Initiated as far as possible To eulo-
glze them is but poor compliment to
their memory. II the eulogy is not fol-
lowed by desire 10 go the road they
pointed out. The disposition to build
elaborate graves over dead prophets
Is Justly n subject Of rebuke.
II we read George washington's life
correctly, II Is en- undying appeal to
this nation TO guard saoredly the prln-
clples OF human liberty from both
moral and physical bondage. and 20 ex-
tend the privileges Of this liberty as far
as human beings are prepared TO re-
ceiye them, From the pedestal upon
which history mas placed him. ne must
look down In wonder upon the timidlty
that hesitates al extending a hand OF
welcome TO Gods children. who look
to the guardians OF the starry banner
for freedom.
The principles for which he lived are
indestrucuble. Once In while the
perturbed waters may rise and dash
against the rock. threatening to break
II into fragments and bury It in
the deep. But the storms last only
a moment. Presently their rage is
spent and all Is calm. and the rock re-
mains, beacon to the sailor II is
so with the principles upon which the
American government is founded. Their
assailants may seem to triumph for a
short time, but that Is only apparently.
Like the foam that evaporates in the
sun, their illusions vanish. That
which is good is everlasting.