Arizona republican., 1907-02-23

worth our while to inquire whether Us original meaning. as a day of united praise and gratitude to God for the blessings bestowed upon us as a people and as individuals. is not smothered In feasting and social indulgence. We in common with Christian nations every where. celebrate Christmas-but how much less as a day of cOmmemOratinz, the birth of the Redeemer of mankind. than as day of hilarity and the inter change of gifts.
 l will not without decided protest be accused of antagOnizing or deprecating light-hearted mirth and jollity. On ths contrary l am an earenst advocate of every kind Of sane. descent social en- joyment. and all sorts of recreation. But nevertheless feel that the allow ance of an incOngruous possession by them of our commemorative days Is evidence of certain condition. and Is symtomatic of popular tendency which are by no means reassuring
 On this day. the Union League Club of Chicago should especially rejoice in the consciousness of patriotic accom- paniment; and on this day of all OJherS. every one of its members should re- gard his membership as a badge of hon or. Whatever else the organization may have done. it has justified it's exisJence and earned the applause of those who's love of country is still unclOuded by the work it has done for the deliverance oT WashingtOn's birthday from neglect or indolent remembrance.
 In furtherance of the high endeavor nN rnrnfsr srfa# ion H# been impossible to select for obsercanc- any other civic holiday having as broad and fitting a significance as this. It memOrizes the birth of one who's glorious deeds are transcendentIy above all others recorded in our national an nals; and in memOrizing the birth of Washington It commentaries the in carnation O; ar the virtues and all the ideals that made our nationality possi- ble and gave it promise of growth and strength. IL is a holiday that belongs exclusively to the American people. All that Washington did was bound up in our national destiny. The battles h. fought were fought for American lIb- eTty, and the victories he won gave us national independence. His example of unselfish conservation and lofty pa- triOtiSm made manifest as in an open book that those virtues were conditions not more vital to our nations begin ming than to it's development and du- rability. His faith in God. and the fortitude of his faith. taught those for whom he wrought. that the suresc strength of nations comes from the support of Gods almighty arm. His universal and unaffected sympathy with those in every sphere of American life. his thorough knowledge of existing American conditions and his wonderful foresight of those Vet to be. coupled with his powerful influence in the cOunsels of those who were to make or mar the fate of an infant nation. made him a tremendous factor in the construction and adoption of the con stitutional chart by which the course of the newly launched republic could be safely sailed. And it was he who first took the helm and demonstrated for the guidance of all who might sue ceed him. how. and in what spirit and intent, the responsibilities of our chief magistracy should be discharged.
 If your observance of this day were intended to make more secure the i'm mortal fame of Washington. or to add to the strength and beauty Of his i'm perishable monument built upon a na- tion's affectionate remembrance. your purpose would be useless. Washington has no need of you. But in every mo- ment from the time he drew his sword in the cause of American independence tc this hour. living or dead. the Amer ican people have needed him It is not important, nor will it be in all the com ing years. to remind our cOuntrymen that Washington has lived and that his ! Continued on Page :.