The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-23
Continued from page One.


sumed dictation to all the powers Of Eu-
rope. He gave 10 France leading place
among the nations and showed wise
statesmsnship In his code OF laws.
But today he Is a memory and not a
farce among his countrymen and from
his royal mausoleum there comes no In
spiration 10 move their minds and hearts
in national AFFAIRS.
Washington, with no unrivalled boast OF
triumph with no tardiness OF the dicta-
tor. with none OF the glamour OF a king,
as a plain American citizen. defender
and not a conqueror. won boasting fame
and influence. which touch the hearts OF
this people now as deeply as they did In
the days OF his active life.
Indeed. we may say. he still lives No
mans name and words are so often In
voked: no example and opinions are taken
with such a sense OF authority. His birth.
day is a holy day throughout the land.
Celebrated with no pomp. commemorating
no national event II still holds Its place
among the fabricated days OF the calen-
dar. not as one given up TO feasting or
frivolity but as a day for serious
thought upon our history and the con-
ditions which confront US.
This is all the more remarkable when
we consider the increase OF our popula-
tion and the great changes In its charac-
ter. The mass Of our people have inherit
ed no traditions or relations which tend
10 make the memory Of our early days
sacred 70 them. but still the day is pecu-
Harry and generally observed.
The plain reason Is that the name or
Washington has become so interviewer
with our institutions 10 be part or
them and those "to the manner born and
those who have come TO us as strangers
cannot fail TO recognize the fact.
All look back to him as the father and
founder of the republic and they realize
that no wiser statesman since has shown
better principles or form for It's perma-
ncnce and prosperity.
HIS CHARACTER
The analysis OF such n character may
we'll engage attention year by year, for
the thought OF II cannot fail to be In
structive even though the presentation
necessarily lacks the charm OF novelty.
II is seldom that the sum OF mans
life can be expressed In an epigram.
Washington's. however. stands out in
all its fullness in Gen. Henry Lees happy
phrase: First In war. first in peace and
first in the hearts OF his fellow citizens"
These were the words used IN the reso-
luton of congress as written by Gen. Lee
but presented In his absence, by John
Marshall.
Gen. Lee changed the last sentence in
his eulogy before congress to the more fa-
miliar form. First In the hearts OF his
countrymen"
These words arc as true today as they
were when they were uttered. Time has
not dimmed the lustre OF his fame; az
fection has not faded into forgetfulness:
appreciation has not been supplanted by
those who have followed him. nor rever-
ence tired in doing him honor. He still
stands solitary and supreme In his pc
culiar distinction Few men have been
able to show 20 many strong traits as
he. but passing the lesser. this triple
eulogium brings out the three most
prominent features of his character
II paints him at once as soldier, states
man and citizen. We think of him I'm
these relations and in no other. We
think OF him In all and not in any one of
them alone. To consider his generalship,
craftsmanship and loyalty is 10 consider
Washington as he comes 70 our minds in
these days. in his complete, unique and
unexcelled dignity
Continuing, the speaker contrasted
washingtons generalship with that OF
Napoleon, Wellington and other great
generals And yet" he declared.
without assuming 10 be a military critic,
but comparing simply advantage and re-
suits. 1 venture to say that Washington,
IL not as brilliant as Napoleon, nor as
lucky as Wellington. stands equal to any
81 not above ALL For who. In all the
pages of history, ever udertook so forlorn
a hope against such overwhelming odds,
with such wonderful success as he.
without money, without supplies for
such a work, without a trained army.
without a navy with few men, with a
thousand miles of territory TO cover along
the coast. through struggle Of eight
years, who has so long maintained his
cause without disaster and won a COM
plete victory in the end.
wAsHINGToNs GENERALsHIP.
ting there" In this Washington seldom
failed. The British army and navy
could not hold Boston against him; the
fce-bound Delaware did not keep. him
from Trenton; the hardships OF Valley
Forge could not daunt him. Brave, en-
terprising, cautious. unyielding, he
pushed steadily on until. at Yorktown,
the British power was broken and inde-
pendence was achieved.
He had TO create his army and main
tain II, to keep II together by the power
OF personality. and even 10 inspire the
country by his own faith I'm it's future.
do not undertake to review his cam
paigns. but simply to speak briefly OF his
generalship. While enouhs has been
eald-to establish that few features OF
the war are OF sufficient interest and i'm
portance 10 warrant n passing notice.
Judge Stiness here reviewed tho battle
of Long Island and the reasons for the
defeat OF Washington In this instance
and the lesson which Il taught him I'm
experience. He reviewed also the VIC
tory won by Washington at the battle Of
Trenton and the trials endured at Valley
Forge.
The calmness and courtesy. the loyalty
and devotion. the wisdom and patience
with which Washington not only gov
erned his men. but also kept In check tho !
jealousy OF generals and the interference |
OF congress showed a man OF leadership |
and power.
Left without supplies hampered I'm |
action. vexed by intrigue, misrepresented !
and betrayed. he serenely held his sway |
and tho confidence OF the country.
Soldiers goaded 20 mutiny by famine, |
sickness and lack OF covering for day /
and night we're kept from revolt by the 1
influence OF his character and their at /
tachment TO the man. lie shared their |
distress. encouraged their loyalty. made |
every effort for their relief. and so held /
his men until by personal appeal he OBJ /
tained relief and had them ready for \