The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-22
wAsHINGToN,s BIRTHDAY.

1t is fortunate for America and for the
world that the place of greatest American
Is held by one whose character fills the re-
quirements of the position so completely
and who can hold it so indisputably as
George Washington. II his claim 10 the
place were open to dispute or discussion the
great lesson Of his life would be lost. 1t is
fortunate, also, that he was the first Presi-
dent Of the Republic, thus setting stand
ard which all his successors who aspire 10
an honored place in history may strive to
attain. The country has produced and is
likely to produce many other great men,
but there is only one greatest, and it is in
finitely to the credit of Americans that
posterity still assigns this rank. as his con-
temporaries did. to Washington.
Washington was great soldier and a
wise statesman. but the qualities that en-
abled him to reach his high place in history
were his exalted love of country, his self
abnegation in its service, his high ideal of
public duty and his unwavering devotion
to it. These, backed by strong common
sense and rarely well-balanced judgment,
caused him to make a record and set a
precedent for all time. He was not a bril-
liant man. Many of his contemporaries
were more highly educated He was a poor
speaker. But he was great in action, and
he loved his country with all his heart, with
all his soul and with all his might.
This singleness of purpose and self-conse-
Grafton were the main source of Washing
toms greatness. Something of the kind
was foreshadowed when. at the beginning
of the Revolutionary war. he accepted the
position of commander-in-chief of the army
and notified Congress that he would not
accept any pay for his services. 81 will
keep an exact account of my expenses" he
said. These, 1 doubt not, the Congress
will discharge, and that is all desire" On
this rule he acted during the eight years
that he commanded the army and his two
terms as President He would serve his
country from patriotic motives, but not for
pay. This rule has undergone considerable
change since his day.
It was Washington's singular experience
to have his birthday celebrated while he
and detractors, but they were few COM
pared with the number of those who be-
lieved he was the mainstay of the colonies
during the war and of the infant republic
afterwards. His birthday was first cele-
brated in Richmond. Va, on Feb. II, 1852.
Feb. IL was the date of his birth. old style.
and this date was celebrated until 1893,
when it was changed to Feb. % new style.
The celebration at Richmond was near the
| close of the Revolutionary war, and seven
| teen years before Washingtons death A
Richmond paper said: Tuesday last be-
| ing the birthday of his Excellency, General
Washington, our illustrious communicating
chief. the same was commemorated here
! with the utmost demonstrations of joy
| The next year the day was celebrated in
| New York, and continued to be at different
places long as Washington lived. Since
his death it has never failed of popular
observance. In 1852. the second year of the
civil war, President Lincoln issued a
proclamation on the 18th recommending tc
customary places of meeting for public
soemnities on the 22d of February inst
and celebrate the anniversary of the birth
of the Father of his Country by causing to
be read to them his immortal Farewell
Address" No doubt the anniversary will
be appropriately remembered by Congress
to-day.