Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-23

+ + f. i + . ! . > =
foresight Of those yet to be- coupled
with his powerful influence In the
counsels of those who were to make
or mar tho fate of an infant nation.
made him 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 1t was he who
first took the helm and demonstrated
for the guidance Of all who might sue
coed him. how and in what spirit and
intent, the responsibilities Of our chief
masistracy should be discharged.
II your observance of this day were
intended to make more secure the Inn
mortal fame Of Washington, or to add
to the strength and beauty of his i'm
perishable monument built upon ma
tion's affectionate remembrance, your
purpose would be useless. Washing
ton has no need Of you. But In every
moment from the time he drew MS
| sword in the cause of American lnde-
pendence to this hour, living or dead,
the American people have needed nm.
VT is important now and more important
in all the coming years, to remind our
countrymen that Washington has lived
and that his achievements in his coun-
trys service are above all praise. But
it Is important and more important
than ever before--that they should
clearly apprehend and adequately val
ue the virtues and ideals of which ne
was the embodiment, and should rea-
lie how essential to our safety and
perpetuity are the conservation and
patriotism which he exemplif1ed. Tne]
American people need today the exam
pie and teachings of Washington mol
less than those who fashioned our ma
tion needed his labors and guidance.
eEter To LAFAYETTE,
Three months before his inaugura-
ton as first president Of the republic
which he had done so much to create
! Washington wrote q letter to Lafay-
cite, his warm friend and revolution
airy ally, In which he expressed his I'M
renting desire to establish a general
system Of policy which If pursued
would ensure permanent felicity to
the commonwealth; and he added
these words:
81 think / see path as clear and as
direct as a ray of light, which leads to
the attainment of that object. Nothing
but harmony. honesty, industry and
frugality, are necessary to make us a
great and happy people. Happily the
present posture of affairs and the pre-
vailing disposition of my countrymen,
promise to cooperate in establishing
these four great and essential pillars of
public felicity
Such considerations as these suggest
the thought that this is a time for hon.
est self The question
pressed upon us with demand for re-
ply that will not be denied: who
among us all, if our hearts are purged
of misleading impulses and our minds
freed from perverting' pride, can be
sure that today the posture of affairs,
and the prevailing disposition of our
| countrymen cooperate In the estabilsh-
nnent and promotion of harmony, hon
esty. industry and frugality?"
The self invited by this
days commemoration will be incom-
pete and superficial, If we are not
thereby forced to the. confession that
| there are signs of the times which In
dictate a weakness and relaxation OF
our hold upon these saving virtues.
When thus forwarned, it is the height
! of recreancy for US obstinately to close
orr eyes to the needs of the situation,
and refuse admission to the thought
| that evil can overtake us, IL we are
10 deserve security, we will carefully
and dutifully take our bearings and
| discover If we can how far wind and
| tide have carried us away from Safe
waters.
If W., find that the wickedness OF de-
stluc:ive agitetors and the selfish d.
i'ravity of demagogues have stirred up
discomfort and strife where there
should be peace and harmony and have
arrayed against each other interests
which should dwell together In hearty
co-operation if we find that the cold
standards of sturdy, uncompromising
American honesty have become SO
corroded and weakened by sordid at
| mosphere that our people are hardly
startled by crimes in high places and
shameful betrayals of trust every
where; if we find a sadly prevalent dis
position among us to turn from tne
highway of honorable industry into
shorter cross roads leading to irrespon-
sible and worthless ease; If we hnd
that widespread wastefulness and ex-
travagance have discredited the whole
some frugality which was once the
pride of Americanism, We should re-
call Washington's admonition that har-
mony, industry and frugality are es-
sential pillars of public felicity" and
| forthwith endeavor to change our
course.
Cannot Withstand Frenzy and Hate.
1t is our habit to affiliate with politi-
cal parties. Happily the strength and
solidity of our institutions can safely
withstand the utmost freedom and &C
| tivity of political discussion SO far as 1t
involves the adoption of governmental
policies or the enforcement of good adj
| ministraton. But they cannot With
stand the frenzy of hate which seeks
under the guise of political earnestness
to blot out American brotherhood and
to cunningly persuade our people that
a crusade of envy and malice is no
more than a Jealous insistence upon
their manhood rights.
Political parties are exceedingly hu-
man, they easier fall before temptation
than individuals, by so much as parti-
san success is the law of their life and
because their responsibility is imperso-