The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-28

MI NNE 'hhh hhii OF tho men wi5
lV nave been ut the head Of aC-
fairs in this nation from the
time or It's beginning until now have
neen lighters. although only one among
tho fourteen. General Grant, was u
professional soldier educated at the
United States Military Academy
INC born soldier among them was
george Washington. From mis- earliest
boyhood the martial instinct was pre-
dominant in his nature AS he drilled
mis- small playfellows In the meadow at
tnc old Wes,morclnud homestead those
VINO witnessed his manoeuvrrs declared
that the boy had the making of a
soldier"
But the Washington family had no
ambition to be represented by "a
soldier II had been decided that
Augustine WashInglon's eldest child
py his second marriage should follow
IN his fathers footstcps---becoinc n
Virginia planter ana the responsible
head Of the household. His half
brother Laurence. was tho only one
VINO encouraged him to cultivate u
martial spirit. Al Mount Vernon.
where this elder brother dispensed q,
generous hospitality British naval Of
hcers were frequent guests and the
talk at table ran largely to military
and maritime affairs. at fourteen, n
nion OF the boy.
At first his mother wouldn't listen TO
II, but his persistence won tho day. ~
midshipnans warrant was obtained.
the would be sailors trunk was sent
on board the man of war and every
thing save the final adicu was ar
ranged. 1t was that adicu business
that worked the mischief. When It
came to the sticking point, Mrs.
-,
hrmness and velocity that left no
room for discussion The naval pro-
ject was at AN end forever.
But 1t was written that George
Washington should become u iilatcr.
his opportunity came while ne was
st!ll very young man. y certain
lowering morning In May OF 1854 X
an important date III American history
and In the lie OF Wash ngtun. The
first gun was fired In the tong con
ties, between the English and French
for possession OF the OHIO VALLEY.
Washington was in that batIlc ana
after IL was over lie wrote to ais
young brother on the Rappahannock,
Il heard the bullets whistle. and. be-
licvc me, thcre Is something charming
charming in the sound.
OF course. tdc whistle OF those bul
lets wouldn't have been 50 charming
=
Ii wasn't on the following fourth OF
July when the enthusiastic young
soldier led his defeated and drasSled
little army from Great Mca dowS, with
the voclfcrous Frenchmei and Indians
at It's heels That was different
story. but 1T served 10 put him IL tn. test
TO make II evident 10 those IN author
Fly and to tho country at large that =
new leader OF men had been found
FYrt YElg u no, IN
November %. 1865. the young Virginia
colonel marched with the advance
guard into Fort DuQuesnc and planted
the English coiors where the French
had waved so long.
There followed sixteen peaceful
years nt Mount Vernon. Then came
,ae cnil to arms. which no freeman or
Washlnston's temperament could re-
sist. Although all the military anbs-
tons OF his youth had long been lam
TO rest, II didn't take long for the ola
flame to rek!ndlc. Tile classy had
not forgotten his splendid service in
the French and Indian wars and at
that critical moment every cy- WAS
turned toward Mount Vernon Tn"
call was imperative The con:incntni
Congress made him command a--in
chief ftnc American army. and the
next day he set out FOR camp.
4 few days later Washington took
command Of the forces assembled at
Cambridge. In the prime of manhood,
tall. stately. with a noble tacc and
diyrincd presence. lie was The accept
ed ideal of popular nero. Under tine
old elm at Cambridge. among who's"
leaves tho winds stu play as softly
ms they did on the historic morning OF
July 3. i775, washington Wheeled mis-
horse and drew his sword, tie ara
matte beginning OF a struggle winch
he hoped fundly would c5ni@ 20 =
speedy end bu, which cndurei Tor
eight long. uncertain years fri
every American schooib"y knows ,hat
il Was George Washington. Torn
soldier and noblcsi iiEhtt: Of them all
who brought it 10 a successful end,
Not Accustomed 10 Wars Alarms.
The three Presidents who came IN
succession after hngIon. wcrc
men OF peace, although thcv can lard
IL he said to have been free from
wars alarms" John Adams, especial
IL. was made to feel the Inconvenience
OF being a citizen OF g country in
VOWED in war. for he was prescribed
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