The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-02-22
washington's Birthday.

Inc LZu Ol reDIudIJ VIII Always NC q
distinguished day in American history, as
it marks the birth of George Washington,
the Father of his Country, who was born
in Westmoreland county, Virginia, Febru-
airy 22d, 1892. 1t is well that the Amer
lean people should remember his illustrlous
character and his equally illustrlous career.
And above all, they should remember his
unselish patriotism.
At the conclusion Of the great revoIu
tionary struggle, in which, under his guld-
ance the American arms were victorious
over the legions of King George, and peace
brooded over the colonies, that had for
wears been so disturbed, it would have been
an easy thing for Washington, if he had
been more ambitious and less patriotic, to
have seized the opportunity Of becoming
the practical Dictator of his country. But
no such ambition found lodgment IN his
breast. He was a pure patriot, and no
higher act has ever been performed by
Victorious Captain, than when, at Annap-
oils, on December 23d, 1888, he sheathed
his sword and bowed to the majesty OF the
civil law.
The large painting which represents this
scene hangs in the rotunda Of the capitol
at Washington and also at the State House
at Annapolis, where the ceremony OF
"Washington Resigning his Commission,
took place This is picture that should
always receive thoughtful attention, as 1t
portrays scene of great importance, and
affords an effective study in true patriotism.
No man living in Washington time
could have had any conception OF the great
career that was before the country, could
not have dreamed of its expanse of terri
tory, and of its almost unaccountable pros
perity.
Having come through great adversely
and trial, the patriots of that day, knowing
how much it cost to lay the foundation
stones, were willing to build modestly and
conservatively upon this foundation, and
show to the world the spectacle Of pros
porous people, with intelligence and virtue
and patriotism enough to govern them
selves. This the world had never before
seen on any large scale.
Washington in his farewell address, see
ing the possible dangers that might come to
the young republic, warned his countrymen
against the dangers Of foreign entangle-
ments." This generation, and especially
the party now in power, seems to have
forgotten the wise and wholesome words Of
the Father of his country, in the mad cry
that is going up in 50 many places, that
we must be "a great world power. "
The fact is, all these ventures in the
direction of Colonial possessions, in the far
remote sections of the world, only tend to
invite the very dangers that Washington
warned his countrymen against.
We have gotten so far away from our
original, safe moorings, that we do not
know what day our good old ship Of state
may be involved in a terrible storm. With
the present occupant of the White House,
cratic, uncertain and fussy, and the dang
erous glamour Of greatness and Of destiny,
dazzling the eyes Of numbers Of our PEG
pie, it is impossible to tell what day may
bring forth.
Happy would it be for US, as people,
if We could return to the wise counsels Of
the early and better days of the republic,
when Patriotism and Conservatism occu
pied the places now usuped by CONNER
cialism and the Greed of Power.