Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-02-22
The OhSerXer

many holidays, and besides Lincoln's
birthday lcomes too close to that of
Washington, the observerance OF
which as a public holiday has long
been firmly established. The slight
notice taken of the Lincoln anniver-
sary is not in the least due to any lack
of recognition of the great and lovable
qualities of Lincoln's character.
Though Washington will ever be
honored as the Father of His Country,
it is nevertheless Lincoln, and not
Washington, whose memory is first
in the hearts of his countrymen." We
venerate Washington; we love Lincoln.
SO far as achievement is concerned,
Washington's claim to greatness rests
upon his record as the commander-in-
chief of the Continental armies. 1t is
easy, and sometimes has been the
fashion, to do him less than justice as
military leader. 1t is true that he
avoided pitched battles as far as pos
pible, and that he lost the few that he
did fight. 1t is true that Trenton and
Princeton were small affairs in them
selves. 1t is true that the credit of
Saratoga went to Gates and Schuyler.
1t is true that the triumph atty orktown
was made possible only through the
co operation of the French army and
fleet. But on the other hand we must
not forget the mastery strategy which
forced the British to evacuate Boston.
AS for Trenton and Princeton though
small affairs in themselr }, they show
a briliancy of conception and rapid
ity and daring in execution worthy of
Napoleon. BY temporarily saving
New Jersey and Philadelphia, these
victories had moral effect of incalcu-
liable value. We must remember, too,
that Washington never forgot that he
was the commander-in chief of all the
American forces-not merely of those
under his own immediate command.
He gladly sent his best troops to re-
inforce the northern army in its cam
paign against Burgoyne, while he
more modest, but equally important,
task of keeping Clinton's attention en-
gagged about New York, in this way
preventing Clinton from ascending the
Hudson to effect a junction with
Burgoyne As for the Yorktown cam
paign, it is doubtful if military annals
show a more clever bit of strategy
than the way in which Washington
stole south, while making Clinton
think that he was preparing for an at
tack upon New York 1t is doubtful
if Marlborough, or Frederick or even
Napoleon, could have brought the war
to q successful termination anv sooner
than Washington did
Washington did not belong TO the
cI Of vulgar cougucrors. He fought
that ne might establish peace on the
basis Of findependence. and when that
and was gained he sheathed his sword
forever. He loved not merely Deace.
he loved retirement, WASHINGTON was
one of those men. who, possessing GER
tain marked qualities of leadership
nevertheless have TO be drapged ont Of
their retirement in order to serve the
state. Such man nevar ORIGINATE
movements nor insnire nolicies The
Adamses and Jefferson were far more
potent influences in nrecinitatinp tho
revolt against the mother conntrv than
was Washington. We call Washing.
ton the Liberator because he nerformed
the actpal tasl, of destrov;no the Rr;t
isb mower in tbe Colonies. hnt II was
Iaefaroo, nathan tho, uoahinx.,
who waa tho ;ncarnation of tho sn;r;t
of liberty and ;ndanandanoa
After tho tarn,inat;on of tho wor
xxy