The Columbus journal., 1908-12-23

Nebraska and other states, sre doing
that very thing. Increase the efficiency
and scope Of tho agricultural colleges,
and you will 60 long distance toward
solving this farm life problem.
CHRISTMAS DAY, l776.
On Christmas night, 1776, just 1872
years ago the 18th of December, 1908.
occurred IN event which, small - it
was, marked the turning point in the
War for Independence and changed
the map of the world.
The Continental army, defeated
after . hard campaign the summer and
fall previous, hungry and disheartened,
was on the verge Of disbanding. But
their great leader never lost hope. He
realized that . decisive blow must be
struck, and knowing the cornwall
propensities of the Hessian hirelings
camped at Trenton on Christmas day,
he resolved to attack what was con-
sidered the best soldiers Europe could
send into the battlefield at that time.
Late in the afternoon Washington,
with 24OO Virginians. PennsylvaniaDs
and New Englanders, started for the
west bank of the Delaware. By his
side rode . man who was destined to
assist in shaping the future of this
country and found . great politi-
cal party; whose genius touched the
dead rock of public credit" and brought
forth abundant revenue when the COL
onies adopted q constitution and elect
ed Washington president. In the
ranks marched Stark and Greene and
Knox and Stirling. Putnam, who
had been ordered to join Washington
with his command, had failed him
owing to the severity of the weather.
It was midnight when the army reach
ed the river which was filled with
floating ice, but . small number of
Americans under command Of Captain
Anderson had crossed early in the
evening, and when they approached
Trenton could hear the German
band playing and the shouts of the
drunken Hessians celebrating. It
was the last night on earth for many
joining in the songs of the Father
Land, for the Americans have crossed
the river and are marching through
the sleet and snow to avenge the
burners of their homes and the out
RACES committed by the Soldiers of
Rail upon their mothers and sisters
and daughters. The guns of the
Americans we're wet and powder could
not be used, but At the word of COM
mand from Sullivan the bayonets are
fixed and the Continentals charge.
Trenton is theirs. Rail- the comman.
der falls bleeding and dying and those
who are not killed or wounded throw
down their arms and surrender.
The victory at Trenton revived the
hopes of the Americans. Robert
Morris, although born in England,
was no less an American in sympathy
than Hamilton, born in the Wet
Indies, and raised $4,000 for the
purpose of carrying on the war. Con-
gress voted q million dollars and suth.
orized two million dollars more to be
borrowed.
Trenton will always be regarded by
Americans As the turning point in the
Revolution. Had Washington failed
and Rail and his army been victorious
it is generally conceded that England
would have conquered the colonists.
The effect of the victory was far reach
ing. When the news reached Europe
Frederick the Great of Prussia issued
orders torbidding Hessian soldiers
from crossing his territory to embark
for America. Franklin. who had
been sent to France to secure physical
and financial aid for his country, sue.
ceeded in making arrangements with
the governments of France and Spain
through which these nations were to
assist the colonists by backing . pri-
vate firm which contributed money
and munitions Of war. It was at this
time that Lafayette became interested
in the cause of the colonists and left
hia native land and drov his .vo,I IN