The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-02-17
HERO AND STATESMAN.
Warrington Well Earned the Place
He Holds In History.

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 n legal holiday.
and il not observed with the same
demonstrations of enthusiasm that
mark Independence day, is yet enough
OF an event to turn our minds to-
wards this great and commanding fig
IRE in American history, to keep be-
fore us this noble character and to
stimulate within us n 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 well earned the place
he holds in history and in the hearts
OF his countrymen; and while he was
only human and, therefore. subject to
human frailties and weaknesses, he
was. at the same time, and despite
these facts, q great and q noble char
acter.
4 study Of the man, as shown in
his career from surveyor to presi-
dent of the United States. discloses,
we think. the leading traits of his
character. In the first place, he was
of 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 self-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-
yation, far superior to that possessed
by most men of twice his age and ex-
perience.
His innate modesty, too. is well
known. In about the only letter to
mis- 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
te Is 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 proffered 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
dence that he viii do the best he
can and leave the rest to that Provi-
dence who had all along guided and
protected him in every important I'M
6ertaking.
This. then, is enough for us to know,
that he did succeed in his new and re-
sponsible 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 veneration of every true
American. Why should we. then, both
or about the minor blemishes, if there
were any. of such man?
We was still the great general, the
patient, accomplishing patriot. sharing
the sufferings and hardships Of his
faithful soldiers. and never. for one
instant. swerving in his splendid de-
yotion to his country and the great
cause OF human liberty. Washington
was a hero. He was also a patriot and
"A statesman. And let us rather be
guilty. in his case, of little hero
worship than forget what he did for
his country and humanity.