The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-22
TO-DAY IN HISTORY
Washington eirthday-Eebruary ..
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY z

While February - must forever be
chiefly associated in the minds OF the pa
trioiic Americans with the birthday Of the
Father of his country, that momentous
event is not the only one OF Importance
recorded under this date IN the annals OF
history. Nevertheless. II ovcrshadows any
OF the other Incidents or episodes with
which the historian or the biographcr
has been called upon 10 deal
All the world untcs In the glowing trib-
ute OF admiration 10 the wonderful man
who was equally as great as a soldier
and N statesman. So competent Judge
as Frederick the Great sent To Washing
ton n sword OF honor from the oldest
general to the youngest So sublime
Sonius as the great GcrwaC poet.
Goethe, addressed Il letter TO Washington,
declaring that our FIRST president was
tho only man who had ever nlIed him with
awe.
Such was the opinion OF Washington
entertained by his famous contempo-
rarics In Europe. Time has but added
luStcr 10 his fame. Today in perspective
we realize even more vIvidy what an
amazing debt the Republic owes to Wash
ngton for establishing Its Institutions and
policies on firm basis.
In this connection IL is wei! 10 quote
from the eloquent address OF Rufus Cho-
ate. who said Of WashingtOn's birthday.
Tho birthday OF The Father OF His Coun-
,ry?' May II ever be freshly remembered
by American hearts, May II ever re-
awaken in them a nlial vencretlon FOR his
memory ever rekindle the fires OF pa
triotc regard for the country which he
loved 80 well. 10 which he gave his
youthful vigor and his youthful energy.
during the Derlous period Of the early
Indian warfare; 10 which ne devoted bis
life in the maturity OF his powers, In
the field; TO which again he offered the
counscls OF his wisdom and his expert
cnce. as president of the convention that
framed the constitution. which he guided
and directed while In the chair Of state,
and for which the last prayer of his
earthly life WAS offered up, when IL came
the moment for him so well, and go grand
ly and so calmly TO die
Benjamin Oglc, a lifelong friend OF
Washington. and Governor OF Maryland
from i79S to 1901 was the first TO sug-
gest the birthday OF Washington as u
holiday.
Another interesting event OF February
%, which has assisted In making history.
was the purchase OF Florida by the Unit
ed States from Spain, I'm 1919. Tho price
paid for the territory was $1,000 900, but
possession was not taken until 1921, Flor
Ida was organized the following year as
a Tertiary, and was admitted as state
OH March 3. 1915,
February 10 was also the date OF the
organization OF the Republican party, In
1870. as national political party. at
Party originated with a group OF Anti
Nebraska men" in congress In 1854, and
IT was officially adopted by a state con
the same year, and soon came into gen
cral use. The first candidate OF this
party was John c. Fremont.
were the battle OF Buena Vista 1SIT:
the birthday OF James Russell Lowell
QSl9); OF Rembrandt Peale, the artist.
Q77Sl: OF Antoine Joseph Wlertz. Bel
which Amerigo Vespucci. the discoverer.
died In 1912, and the day on which, In
1865. the first ground was broken for
the Central Pacific railroad,