St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-01-20
THE TRUE WASHINGTON.
fncreased Fnme of the Father of His
Country n Century After
His Death.

1tcan be said that not only the fame Of
Washington has greatened during the
century that has flown since his death.
but the knowledge and understanding
Of him have likewise largely increased.
The sculptor Daniel French, in the
Washington that he has modelled for
the Paris monument, has expressed the
grandeur of his fame. Here. with sword
and brow lifted toward Heaven, he ap-
pears as a world hero; there is some
thing of the demigod, of the creature
Of tradition, of myth, in attitude and
aspect.
To be sure, there was an unusual dig
nifty about the person and reputation OF
this hero, both during the time of his
greatest activity and later in his career.
There are none now living who can make
direct report of the effect of his pres
ence upon beholders, but there are
many who have had from those VIII, saw
nim an account, at first hand, of this eff
feet. The present writer can never for
get description of his appearance,
from the lips of an old gentlewoman
WuO udti OSCu oHC vi thC odASi "a MIA
dren who strewed flowers before him
at Trenton, on his way to his Inaugural
ton at New York. And, besides. there
are many printed records of the dignity
of his bearing. and the impression OF
majesty produced upon individuals and
the multitude.
As this country has grown, and IS the
Importance of his work is more and
more appreciated, and, too, as he re-
cedes in distance, Washington's true
proportions are appreciated, and he
looms even more grandly. Compared,
indeed, with the very unselfishness OF
his factions and the nobility of his aims
most of the worlds conquering heroes
and makers Of nations seem, in moral
comparison, herd of self-seeking vul-
garians.
Yet, while he has joined the ranks OF
the worlds demigods, he has, at the
same time, become nearer and more
human to us through closer study OF
his personality. 1.-The true Washing
ton" is no less dignified but much
more sympathetic figure. If we know
the ferceness of his anger, We honor all
the more the power of his self-control.
If We recognize the intensity of his love
for country life (and something of a re-
vival OF the love for such a life makes
the present generation more appre-
ciative of this amiable trait, still the
keener our sense of his sacrifice to duty
in relinquishing that life for the camp
and the halls of government.
In order to exalt the wisdom of Wash
ington, and to insist upon the impor-
tance of his farewell advice to his peo-
pie, it is not necessary to impute to him
supernatural enlightenment. And yet.
so clear and right was his thinking On
themes of government, and so valuable
have proved his principles in operation.
that he would be rash counselor who
would call for the utter disregard of
any one Of these principles. Certainly
as to the conditions to which his advice
applied, events have proved
that he sew not only deeply but far. AT
what point any of his specific views may
cease to be of service as present guide,
it will be difficnit, indeed, to determine;
and there will always be danger that a
wave of sentiment may at any time
drive a not phlegmatic people from
moorings afterward found to be the
safest.-Century.