The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-23
CLEVELAND ON WASHINGTON
Ex-President Visits Chicago and
Makes an Address.
Expresses Sentiments Appropriate 10
Observance Of Birthday of the
Father of His Country.

Chicago, feb ZZ.-k&-FrtslQtift tfeNef
Cleveland was the orator OF the day at
the celebration OF the anniversary of the
birth of George Washington, which Is an
nually held under the auspices Of the
Union League club OF this city
Mr.. Cleveland addressed an audience
that completely filled the great Audito-
rum. He was greeted with every mani
festation Of approval He dwelt less upon
the history and achievements Of WASH
ington than upon the soundness Of Wash
ington's political faith and the accuracy
Of Wasmngton's economic wisdom
Mr. Cleveland began his address by
saying that the American people are but
little given TO the observance of public
holidays" He thought that il might be
due to an inherited lack Of reuospec-
ton" or that patriotism was 50 much IL
matter of course that special observance
OF il was needless. Mr. Cleveland added
All that Washington did was bound up
i'm our national life and became inter
woven with the warp of our national des-
tiny The battles he fought were fought
for American liberty and the victories he
won gave us national independence His
faith in God and the f0rtitUde Of his
faith taught those for whom he wrought
that the suTest strength of nations comes
from the support OF God 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 yet 90 be made him Il
tremendous factor in the construction
and adoption of the constitutional chart
by which the course OF the newly
launched republic could be safely sailed.
what Washington said.
Three months before his Inauguration
as first President of the republic which be
had done so much 10 create. Washington
wrote "a letter TO Lafayette. his warm
friend and Revolutionary ally, I'm which
he expressed his unremitting desire 20
establish "a general system of poIioy,
which if pursued, would insure perma-
neHt felicity to the commonwealth, and
he added these words.
%" I think ] see "a path as clear and as
direct as q ray Of light which leads O. the
attainment of that object Nothing but
harmony. honesty. industry. and frusalty
are necessary L. make us q great ami
happy people. Happily the present post
ure OF affairs and the prevailing DISPOSE
ton OF my cOunTymen promise To CO.
operate ia establishing those four great
and essential pillars Of public felicity.
1T is impossible for Us TO be i'm ac-
cord with the spirit which should pervade
this occasion If we fail To realize the
momel pus import of this declaration,
and if we doubt its couclusiveness or its
application 10 any stage Of our national
life. we are not I'm sympathy with a proper
and improving observance of the birthday
Of George Washington.
Time for SeIf-examinatiOn
such considerations as these suggest
the thought that this is a time for honest
self-examinaJ0n. The question presses
upon us with demand for reply that
Will not be denied. Who among us all. II
our hearts are purged of misleading i'm
pulses and our minds freed from pervert-
ing pride. can be sure that to-day the
posture of affairs. and the prevailing dis
position of our COuntryInen. cooperate
in the establishment and promotion of
harmony, honesty. industry and frugal
ity%
When Washington wrote that nothing
but these We're necessary to make MS "a
great and happy people he had in mint
the harmony of American brotherhood
and unenviouS good viii. the honesty that
iusurcs against the betrayal of public
trust and hates devious ways and CON
scienceless practices. the industry that
recognizes in faithful work and intelli-
gent endeavor abundant promise of Well
earned competence and provideut accu-
mutation and the frugality which outlaws
waste and extravaganza display as plum
derers of thrift and promoters Of covetous
discomfort.
Urges All to he on Guard.
I'VE have fallen upon time when It
behooves every thoughtful citizen whose
political beliefs are based on reason and
Who cares enough for his mauliness ana
duty to save them from barter to realize
that the organization Of the party Of his
choice needs watching, and that at times
it is not amiss critically to observe its
direction and tendency. This certainly
ought TO result in our comtry's gain, and
it is only partisan impudence that con-
dennis a member OF political party VII"
on proper occasion submits its conduct
and the loyalty to principle Of its leaders
20 court of review over which CON
science. his reason. and his political UNI
deTstanding preside
Il protest that / have not spoken in a
spirit Of peSsimisn. I have and enjoy ms
full share of the pride and eXultauoh
which our cOuntrys material advance
merit SO fully justfes. Its limitieSs re-
sources. its astonishing growth its unap-
pr0achable industrial development. and It's
irrepressbIe inventive genius have made
1t the wonder of the centuries.
The land we live in is safe as long az
We are duufully careful of the land tliat
lives in us. But good intentions and hne
sentiments win not meet the emergency
II we could bestow upon the land tnat
lives in Us the care il needs. 1t Is inois-
pcnsable that we should recognize the
weakness of orr human nature. and our
susceptibility - temptations and inhu-
ences that interfere with a full Concep-
ton of our obligations, and thcIeupou We
should see TO it that cupidity and selfish
ness do not blind our consciences or dull
our efforts"