The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-02-23
FEBRUARY ~.

Yesterday was the one hundred and
seventy ninth birthday anniversary OF
George Washington, who was born February
%, 1882, near the banks of the Potomac,
in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
The custom of celebrating the birthday
of George Washington had its origin in
the year that the War of the Revolution
ended. On the 22d of February, 1888, a
number of gentlemen met at tavern in
New York, had banquet in honor OF the
victorious General, drank toasts and read
an ode to Washington. Before parting
they resolved to make this an annual cele-
bration. The custom spread rapidly all
over the land. 1t was fitting and the i'm
pulse to honor the greatest American was
spontaneous. The custom of celebrating
his birthday did not grow from legal enact
ments nor from executive proclamations
nor from the work of committees of ar
engagements. 1t sprang from the hearts of
the people. 1t was a tribute of affection
from Americans to the man who had won
the victory for them-who was first in the
hearts of his countrymen. Long before
any legislature had declared Washington's
Birthday holiday the people had made
it holiday and there were banquets, bell
ringing and s'birthnight balls," and gen.
eral rejoicing. Except in 1876, during the
bitterness of the Excise law, it was the
custom of Congress all through Washing
tons two administrations to adjourn for a
short time on the 22d of February in order
that the members might have an opportu-
nifty to congratulate the President.
For some few years there was con-
fusion of dates. Washington was born
before the adoption in England of the
Gregorian calendar and his birthday was
February II "old STYLE" By the revised
calendar February II became February
%. Nevertheless, for several years in
some places the 18th of February was OBJ
served as Washington's Birthday.
The honor of general and spontaneous
celebration of his birthday has never been
accorded by the American people to any
other man. Washington is still the first in
the hearts of his countrymen, and any
attempt to place any other American that
has ever lived in the same unique position
or even to share Washington's position
must fail. Washington was pre-eminent
among the sons of men for a combination
of great qualities. He had never studied
statecraft, but Alexander Hamilton said
that it was difficult to decide whether he
was greater in the field or in the Cabinet;
that the world had very naturally decided
in favor of his military capacity, but from
the sum of his observations he considered
him at least equally sound as statesman.
He had never studied the science of war
in any military academy, but was engaged
in the pursuits of country gentleman.
When he became Commander-in-C Chief OF
the American Army his military life had
been comprehended in one campain against
Indians. And yet the greatest students Of
the military science in Europe have been
unable to find fault with his military opera
tons. He fought the finest and best equip
ped soldiers of Europe with an army almost
incapable of the simplest military evolu-
tons, which always seemed upon the point
of disintegration and with no real govern
ment to sustain it. Only the personality Of
the Commander-in- Chief held them to.
gether.
Washington never attended school after
the age of fifteen years. And yet in asso-
ciating with the distinguished men of his
time he conversed with them upon equa
terms and impressed them with his great.
ness. Visitors from Europe were aston
ished at the extent of his knowledge of the
affairs of the Old World.
But the quality which more than others
endeared Washington to his countrymer
was his pure and unselfish patriotism. In
this respect, as we'll as in others, it is wei
to celebrate the 22d of February and hold
up the picture of Washington for the PEG.
pie to behold.
Kindness and Consideration for Others.
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