The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-02-18

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brighter and more beautifully de-
/ scribed in letters of chased gold
than those of Washington and Lin
cain. Students of history are di-
yided in their Judgment which of
the two men is the greater. But it
is not really important that this
question be decided. Destiny
planned a certain line of work for
both men, and they did that work
well. Their innate ability is only
partly responsible for their success;
1t was their unselfshness and de-
sire to do well whatever they un-
dertOok which helped them to sue
coed where others might have fail
ed. If Lincoln deserves praise
because necessity spurred him on
to greatness, Washington deserves
as much credit be, ause he became
great without being driven by
necessity. Destiny demanded a
double role of Washington-she
made him a soldier and a states
man, and he performed both well.
His trials as president were almost
as great as those he encountered as
commander in. chief of the army.
He was placed at the head of a
new form Of government, and did
not have precedents to guide him
IN his undertaking. 1t was his
early training which taught him
to think calmly and with judy
ment. His mind once made up, to
act without fear.
He was born on the banks of the
Potomac river in a farmhouse;
though the house was far better
than a log cabin, it was not the
mansion 1t is supposed to have
been. 1t was a large, roomy place,
with a deep sloping roof and a big
outside chimney at either end. He
was one of many children. His
father was rich in crops and land,
though he had little real money.
Most Virginia farmers planted to-
| baCCo, and when money was scarce
they traded this product for food
and clothing. His early years
were spent on the farm, with plen-
y of exercise and little schooling.
George loved to tramp across the
fields, forests and to swim in the
streams. His education was gain
ed at country school where he
was taught for three hours a day.
Limited as was bis education,
he was fond of reading, and he
had book into which he copied
everything he wished to remem-
Der. In this book he put many
rules which he himself had formu-
lated. These are only a few of the
many:
Labor to keep alive in your
breast that little spark of celestial
! fire called conscience.
Think before you speak.
Whisper not in the company
OF others"
Lawrence, one of the half-broth-
ers, had been sent to England to
school, and the parents had plan
ned the same for George, but the
father died suddenly, and Mrs.
Washington realized she could not
afford to send him across the ocean.
The boy had spent considerable
time on the wharf and talking to
seamen had awakened a desire for
adventure. These stories created
a desire to earn a living as a sailor,
and he suggested it to his mother.
Mrs. Washington did not like the
idea of having George leave home
nor did she approve of his career.
He was sent back to school to
study surveying, When not
studying he was drilling his CON-
pany of boys to become soldiers,
and he often got very impatient
when they made mistakes.
Shortly after his brother Law
renee had married the daughter of
Lord Fairfax a member of this
family took a great interest in the
boy. He had such fancy for the
lad that he put him to surveying