Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-02-18
HERO AND

Warrington Well Earned the Place
He Holds in History.
Our country has among its states
men many noble and worthy men
whose names and good deeds should
not be forgotten and whose memories
should live forever in the hearts of a
grateful and liberty-loving people. OF
all these, Washington stands pre-emi-
nently at the head. Naturally, and
very rightly, he holds the first place
In our thoughts and in our patriotic
affections. The anniversary of his
birth has long been a legal holiday,
and If not observed with the same
demonstrations Of enthusiasm that
mark Independence day, is yet enough
OF an event to TURF our minds to-
wards this great and commanding fig
ure in American history, to keep be-
fore us this noble character and to
stimulate within us a truer love of
our country, together with a broader
and higher devotion to those princi-
pies of human liberty for which Wash
ington and, our fathers fought.
Washington we'll earned the place
be holds in history and in the hearts
Of his eountrymen and while he was
only human and, therefore, subject to
human frailties and weaknesses, he
was, at the same time, and despite
these facts, a great and a noble char
acter.
4 study of the man, as shown In
his career from a surveyor to presi-
dent of the United States, discloses,
We think, the leading traits Of his
character. In the first place, he was
Of a thoughtful, deliberative nature.
He was possessed Of tremendous will
force, and this faculty, turned as it
was In his case into the right chan
nels, enabled him to carry forward
that work Of s~elf-training which he
began in his early youth and contin-
ued, SO far as we know, to the close
Of his long and eventful career. He
was studious in his habits, loved
truth, honesty and sobriety; and these
virtues, with the constant use of his
reflective powers, soon gave to him a
Judgment ripened by thoughtful obser-
walton, far superior to hat possessed
by most men Of twice his age and ex-
perience.
His innate modesty, too, Is we'll
known. In about the only letter to
his wife that has been preserved he
assures her that he did not seek the
high place which the continental con
gress had given him as commander in
chief of the American army. He also
tells her in the same epistle that he
could not shirk the grave responsible
ties thus thrust upon him and that he
could not, without bringing reproach
and disgrace to his good name, decline
the profrered honor. At the same time
he expresses his fears as to his ability
to handle the great interests %intrusted
to him. but adds, with modest conf
dencs. that he will do the best he
can and leave the rest to that .Provi-
dence who had all along guided and
protected him in every important un-
dertaking.
This, then, is enough for us to know,
that he did succeed in his new and re-
sponfible position, and in the discharge
Of his duties as commander in chief
displayed the heroism, fortitude and
courage that won for him the undying
love and v%eneration Of every true
American. Why should we, then, both
er about the minor blemishes, II there
were any, Of such a man?
We was still the great general. the
patient, accomplishing patriot, sharing
the su1erings and hardships Of his
faithful soldiers, and never, for one
instant, swerving In his splendid de-
votion to his country and the great
cause of human liberty. Washington
was a hero. He was also a patriot and
= statesman. And let us rather be
guilty, in his case, Of a little hero
worship than forget what he did for
his country and humanity.
The Faith of WasAiAgton.