The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-04-13
Az George Washington Might See It
How We Have Grown.

How We Have Grown.
If Washington were here to-day tc
make tour of our republic, we may
feel that the calm, clear eyes would be
lighted with enthusiasm, and thai
many of his ideals for the nation be
loved 30 we'll would be found to be re-
allied, at least in part.
When he relinquished the powers
of the presidency his farewell went out
to less than five and one half million
people, while to-day President Roose
velt Is the chief executive of nearly
seventy-six and onehalf million; and
when we remember how large per.
centage of our population is of foreign
birth, we see to what an extent Wash.
ington's hope, that America would be
an abidipg-place for seekers of liberty
from all lands, has been fulfilled.
In Washington's time the center ol
population was to be found in Eastern
Maryland, and some, less optimistic
than he, considered it impossible that
seaboard civilization would ever pass
beyond the Alleghanies. To-day q
monument stands in a field seven
miles southeast Of Columbus, Ind, to
mark our populations center. In one
hundred years 1t has travelled 478 miles,
Leagues beyond the spot in the dense
forest where Washington had his first
encounters with the Indians.
Rise Of Prestige.
All our young people who are stu
dents of history know how much in
fuence our nation had in the dip
lomatic relationship of the world when
Washington was endeavoring to pre-
serve the dignity and prestige of bis
charge. In our day two of the most
powerful nation on the globe seek the
good offices of our chief executive to
bring about settlement of vexed
questions in South America, and 8
comparatively young American, Mini
.ster Bowen inVenezuela, islooked upon
with 40 much confidence by the lead.
ing powers as virtually to have been
asked to take charge of their interests.
We can imagine what would have
been Washington's pleasure at such
triulnphs for the straightforward, can.
did methods of American diplomacy
in the midst of delicate international
plications.
Comfort and Utility.
Turning to other phases of our world
of to-day, it would be interesting to
know with just what feelings Wash.
ipgton would watch the swift flight
of q modern railway. train. In his
time it took the clumsy stage coaches
two or three days to 60 from New York
to Philadelphia, and week to 60 from
New. York to Boston. The roads were
exceeding bad; there were hardly any
bridges, end the rivers were crossed
by slow and often dangerous fat-boats.
Since Washington so often felt that
more rapid means of communication
were necessary to the well-being of the
people, we can picture his satisfaction
at the comparative comfort and pros
perity which Is now so general.
In 1900 the streets, even in the large
cities, were poorly paved and dirty
and scarcely lighted at night.
Some of the houses were large and
well furnished, but none Of them haC
the conveniences 30 common now.
The wealthiest people then labored
under difficulties which we can scarce
ly realize.
Those who lived on the farms had 6
still harder time. 1t was not easy tc
work with wooden plows, and, owing
the lack Of means of transportation
the farmer who raised more than be
wanted found it difficult to sell.
Can you imagine Washington's
thoughts to-day on receiving tele
gram? What then would be his feel
iDgs, if he were to visit one of the
Marconi stations, to be told that mes
sages were flashed through space, ovel
1000 miles of trackless sea? When we
remembered how many days it took fol
letter to 90 by carrier post from Boston
to New York, we can understand
Washington's admiration for the rapi
dity of even the rural free delivery.
Washington could have lived tc
behold the ocean greyhound, plowine
- its way swiftly to and from our shores
bearing the products of field and fac
tory to the markets of the world
would he not have contrasted it with
the means of water travel his day
afforded? Then, along the coast, sailing
vessels were the carriers of passagers
and freight. The least difficulty with
the wind might delay the traveller fol
| weeks. There was much more danger
| hardship in passage from Phildelpbis
to Baltimore than there now is in 6
voyage to Europe, or trip to the Philip
pines.
A Dream Realized.
Among the countless places of the
present hour, in which our first Presi
dent would doubtless experience keer
delight at the surprises in store for him
would be Washington City. 1t is be
remembered that Washington took
exceptional interest in the location o.
the nations caqital. In the plans fol
the selection of a site and the construc
ton of the Capital he exercised a deter
mining influence. Congress, then sit
ting in Philadelphia, handed the mat
ter over to him, and to the three com
missioners appointed by him. He pro
fe.sed no knowledge of architecture
but he sought q combination of The
thr ee essential rl1a 1itiea in oatiofoo