Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-02-27
WHILE WASHINGTON LIVED.
There's a Contrast Between the Old
and Present Anniversaries.

Yesterday was George Washington 5
anniversary. With the exception of
the closing of the schools and banks
il wasn't generally observed. Perhaps
Il third of the persons of the United
States didn't think of the fact of the
birthday And therefore an account
of George Washington anniversary
in 1896. as related by Isaac Weld, Jr-.
in his journal. Travels Through the
States of North America in 1895 1896,
1891" is interesting.
Philadelphia now wears very diff
ferent aspect from what it did when
4 landed there in the month of No
vember Both congress and the state
assembly are sitting. as well as the
supreme federal court The city Is
full OF strangers: the theaters are
open; and a variety OF public ana
private amusements are going FOR
ward. on General Washingtonss
birthday, which was few days ago
this city was unusually gay. Every
person of consequence in il, Quakers
alone excepted. made it a point L"
visit the general on this day. As
early rs IL o'clock in the morning he
was prepared To receive them and the
audience lasted until : i'm the after
noon.
ON this day General Washington
terminated his fifty Fourth year, but.
though not an unhealthy man, ne
seemed considerably older. The in
Vulnerable vexations he has met with
in his different public capacities have
very sensibly impaired the vigor Of
his constitution and given him an
aged appearance There is a very ma
terial difference. however, in his looks
when seen i'm private and when he ap-
pears in public. fun dressed; IN the
latter case, the hand of art makes mp
for the ravages OF time and he seems
many years younger.
General washington speaks with
great diffidence. and sometimes hest
tates for a word. but il is always To
find one particularly well adapted
10 his meaning. At levee. his dis
course with strangers turns princi-
pauv upon the subject of America:
and if they have been through any
remarkable places. his conversation Is
free and particularly interesting. as
he is intimately acquainted with every
part of the country He is much more
open ana Tree III MS beiidNi'i ~ 49,
than in private: and in the company
OF ladies still more so than when
solely with men.
The society of Cincinnati, the clergy.
the officers of militia, and several
others who formed Il distinct body OF
citizens. came by themselves separ-
ately: The foreign ministers at
tended i'm the richest dresses and most
splendid equipment. Two large par
lors were open for the reception OF
the gentlemen. the windows of one oil
which toward the street were crowded
with spectators from the outside. me
sideboard was furnished with cake
and wines. whereof the visitorsg par
took. | never observed 50 much
before in the countenance
of General washington; but il is inn
possible for him To remain insensihie
10 the attention and the compliments
maid 10 him on this occasion.
The ladies Of the city. equally a
tentive, paid their respects to Mrs.
who received them III
the drawing room upstairs. AFTER
having visited the general most az
the gentlemen also waited upon her.
A public bali and supper terminated
the reioicings of the day. Not one
town of any importance was there IN
the whole Union where some meeting
did not take place in honor Of TINS
lak.