The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-02-19
TRIBUTES TO WASHINGTON.
Esteem md Affection Shown the Father
of His Country.

Esteem and Affection Shown the Father
of His Country.
Born upon our soil-of parents also
born upon it-never for a moment nav
ing had sight of the old world-instruct-
ed according to the modes o. his time,
only in the spare, plain, but wholesome
elementary knowledge which our insti-
tutions provide for the children of the
people-growing up beneath and pene-
trated by the genuine influences of
American society-living from infancy
TO manhood and age amidst our expand
ing. but not luxurious civilization-par-
taking in our great destiny Of labor, our
long contest with unreclaimed nature and
uncivilized man-our agony Of glory, the
war of independence-our great victory
of peace, the formation of the Union,
and the establishment of the constitu-
tion-he is all, all our own. Washington
Is ours"
The foregoing was written by Daniel
Webster in regard to the Father Of His
Country, the anniversary of whose birth
is an occasion that is ever freshly remem-
bered by American hearts. He was the
first man of the time in which he grew"
wrote Rufus Choate. His memory is
first and most sacred in our love; and
ever, hereafter, till the last drop of
blood shall freeze in the last American
heart. his name shall be 4 spell of power
and might. There is one personal. one
vast felicity which no man can share
with him. 1t was the daily beauty and
towering and matchless glory of his life
which enabled him to create his country,
and the finn.. nj, uuIy IN q
love and regard from the whole Ameri
can people. Undoubtedly there we're
brave and wise and good men before lis
day in every colony. But the American
nation. as a nation. | do not reckon to
have begun before 1I74, and the first love
of that young America was Washin ytOn.
The first word she lisped was his name.
Her earliest breath spoke it. 1t is still
her proud ejaculation. 1t will be the
last gasp of her expiring life. About
and around him we call up no dissentient.
discordant and dissatisfied elements. no
sectional prejudice or bias. no party. 10
creed, no dogma of politics. None Of
these shall assail him. Yes. when the
storm of battle grows darkest and RACES
highest. the memory of Washington shall
nerve every American arm and cheer.
every American heart. 1t shall reil-
lume that PrOmethean fire, that sublime
fame of patriotism. that devoted love of
country which his words have COM
mended. which his example has conse-
Grated
The story of George Washington's
life is an old one, but the salient facts
will bear repeating. He was born at
Wakefield, Westmoreland County, Vir-
ginia. Feb. 22. 1872. lived from 1875 to
1879 at what is now Mount Vernon, and
when he was Z years old he was taken
to an estate on the Rappahannock, al
most opposite Fredericksburg. The faith
er was one of the prosperous planters of
Virginia, able to give his children what
education the times could afford. The
first teacher of George is reputed to have
been convict, whom his father bought
for the purpose. All of Washington's
schooling ended before he was, 16. His
long and brilliant career as soldier and
statesmen has given to history some of
its most interesting pages.
1T was strange" wrote Thackeray.
that in a savage forest of Pennsylva-
mia a young Virginia officer should fire
shot. and waken up war that was to
last for sixty years, which was to cover
his own country and pass into Europe,
to cost France her American colonies.
to sever ours from us and create the
great western republic; to rage over the
old world when extinguished in the new:
and, of all the myriads engaged in the
vast contest, to leave the prize of the
greatest fame with him who struck the
first blow
AS to the eXteem and affection in
which the name and character of WASH
ington were held one cannot do better
than quote Lafayette, who wrote from
France as follows:
Were YOU but such n man as Julius
Caesar, or the King of Prussia. should
almost be sorry for you at the end of
the great tragedy where you are acting
such part. But. with my dear general.
l rejoice at the blessings of peace when
our noble ends have been secured Re
member our Valley Forge times; and.
from a recollection of past dangers and
labors, We shall be still more pleased at
our present comfortable situation. l can
not but envy the happiness of my grand
when they will be about cele-
brating and worshiping your name. To
have one of their ancestors among your
soldiers to know lie had the good for
tune to be the friend of your heart, will
be the eternal honor in which they shall
glory
The poet Shelley. aboard all American
ship, drinking to the health of Washing