The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-02-22
1.-THE rATHER's'' ANNIVERSARY

The anniversary OF the illustrious
man who was the Father OF his Coun-
try, "6rst in war, first in peace, and
first in the hearts Of his countrymcn,
has rolled around with the year. This
anniversary is holiday in all the
States, in the District Of Columbia,
in Porto Rico, and in Alaska. This set
ting apart of the day is fit remem-
brance Of the man who was, as much
as any man can be said to be, the
Father of the Republic.
Washington represented the higher
interests aud the higher life of the colo
nies of his day. He was a rich man,
socially prominent, and active in public
affairs from his youth onward. His
activities grew broader and stronger
with the years of his life. up to the
time when he was entrusted with the
fate of the newly declared Nation, and
We all know with what determination,
ability, and brilliant success he vindi-
Gated the Declaration of Independence
put forth by those comparatively weak
and struggling colonies.
Then, as leader in peace, be became
President Of tho Constitutional Con-
vention, which gave form to the Re-
public; and as first in the hearts of his
countrymen he became President by
the unanimous voice of the American
electorate for two terms, thus setting
in order the new Government and pre-
|scribing its forms and activities. Not
that he personally did al these things,
but that he was at the head Of the Gov
ernment when ell this was done, and
his wisdom was constantly appealed to
in the establishment Of usages under
the law.
Washington was the antithesis Of
Lincoln. Washington represented the
aristocratic feeling so far as there
could be any such feeling in the Re-
public, being in this the true choice
and representative of the Influential
citizenship of his time. The men of
those days would never have followed
a man like Lincoln with implicit trust,
but they put their whole trust in
Washington to an almost unparalleled
degree. Their substance, their families,
their hopes, their very lives, were all
dependent upon the success of his lead
ership. And how grandly he vindi-
Gated the trust thus reposed in him
history tells.
Washington was great in his devo-
tiou to the new Republic, supreme In
counsel in bringing forth that Repub-
lie; and in dignity of character he sur
passed all the men of his time. There
were others who IN special fields were
in advance Of him, but in all-around
attainment, in matured judgment, in
solid counsel, and in achievement, none
was his equal.
The country which he did so much
to create can never cease to honor his
memory with deep gratitude and hon
orable recollection; his fame is secure
among mankind for all time, for it is
not alone Americans who honor the
character of Washington. Wherever
liberty is sought, wherever the repre-
sentative of freedom 'is appealed to as
|incarnate, the name of Washington al
ways rises to the lips. And SO, all the
Ilibcrty.loving world joins with Amer
lea in honoring the character and
achievements of Washington and in
perpetuating his name and fame by
appropriate memorial exercises on this
anniversary day. And thus must ii
always be as long as the vital spark