The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-23
NATIONS TRIBUTE.

demonstration can add weight 10 that
which Is apparent at sight. So the gen
| eralship or Washington needs no WORDS
J OF argument. Look at the beginning,
| then through the interval. then at the
end Was greater service ever done, a
| greater feat ever ACCOMPLISHED? You may
say II was due 20 the patriotism or the
| country and that the victory was won
by the men behind the guns.
| tent. The effectiveness OF our force has
| been attributed 10 it's superior marks
manship; Most OF them had been aS, ae,
customed To hunting, and those who could
hit rabbit could hit man. They
| could endure hardness as good soldiers.
| They arc worthy Of all honor and they
| have ever had it,
THE SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM.
The best OF generals needs good army,
! good general The only motive that could
| inspire either in the Revolution was the
! spirit OF patriotism. But bear I'm mind
/ ment and how much Il was stimulated
| by Washington's words and work. by
his. faith and courage; by his appeals
ana example.
Unique in it's conditions. developing its
own life and strength. creating It's oppor-
tunities, sustained, not by the power or
numbers or of resources but by the inn
pulse of an unfsltering faith In God and
the right; unsurpassed in FINAL achieve
ment. Washington's generalship STANDS
out In contrast TO all others. and he holds
place by himself as hero I'm the world
Many men have been great in war, but
few OF them have also been men OF lead
and spirit that he had shown as a gem
eral turned the eyes OF all TO him az the
one TO establish the independence which
he had done so much to win.
A government was TO be organized. He
assumed no Dictatorship. but modestly
resigned his commission and took leave,
public life.
Cincinnatus returned 10 his plough
Napoleon used the prestige he had gain
ed In the war for his own advancement
Not so with Washington. He usurped no
authority after his triumph, but left its
results In the hands OF the constituted
rulers. But the country still turned 10
him Unanimously as Its leader.
They had discerned the man. without
so full an education most Of his class
with no practice In great affairs OF pub
lie life with no experience with foreign
courts. with no knowledge OF the law
but simply as a country gentleman and
thrust into tho training OF a soldier he
would seem at first the most unlikely one
To be chosen 10 the leadership Of a ma
tion.
But, IN his civil as In his military ca
reer consider the beginning.
From this point Judge Ssness told IN
eloquent language the Story ~ how
Washington began the serious work OF
buildlng nation.
PATIENT AND MAGNANIMoUs.
In summing up his estimate OF Wash
ington he said:
II need not call TO your minds the
many facts in his career which witness
10 the truth OF such description Pa
tlcnt and magnanlmous under misrepre-
sentation. ready TO let others lead
and To give every one his need
Of honor: assuming no preeminence; de-
clining 10 receive pay for his services
the army. slow 10 believe that any Of
his officers could be guilty OF treachery
bearing the hsrdships Of war in common
with his soldiers; confident that liberty
would prevail and working and waiting
for the result with a courage that was
an inspiration to all.
These true. noble and manly qualities
were what the peope saw and loved. But
he was endeared to the people by less
conspicuous and tender traits. His friend
ship was strong and true and lasting. His
sympat thy for the suffering and oppressed
was so marked that to him, as the one
most worthy. Lafayette sent the key OF
the demolished Bastill which now hangs
on the wall OF Mount Vernon
In closing. Judge Stiness said: II must
have been a solid character that has
stood I'm r"bliC gaze 80 long with no de-
crsasing honor. The hearts OF men turn
To him warmly now as they did 100
years ago. Love, veneration and esteem
have grown stronger even than when
he was surrounded by his friends. The
peope have come 10 realize from the re-
suits the value Of his work and worth.
No wonder that his name. first and
unanimously is inscribed on our Hall OF
Fame. His character now. in the per-
spective Of time, stands out in Its true
proportions.
His motives are no longer mlsunder-
stood. jealousy has mouldered to ashes
with the fiery hearts OF those who fasten-
ed It; the wisdom Of his course has been
proved by experience: gratitude to Cod
for that Providence which has brought
TO the aid OF great undertakings the great
men who could lead them. has moved us
10 revere the man, as well and some look
back 10 him as the foremost man In all
our history.
a great people pays homage TO his
memory; the nation Is HIS monument.
In Lowel's words:
Placid completeness, life without fall.
From faith or highest aims, truths
breachless wall
Surely II any fame can bear the touch.
His will say. "Hcre!" at the last trumpet's
call.
The inexpensive man. whose life express
ed so much.