The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-02-27

poral conditions which surrounded
: Washington life, telling OF the
1. ,zabethan influence still felt In
Europe, but OF the feeling of rest
llessness which was already preva-
lent. There was an aristocracy in
America in the early seventeenth
c. injury" he said made up of men
who came to this country simply 70
have large land grants given by
the crown OF England. These people
were In the south. in Virginia, and
they sought ease and luxury. In the
+, south slavery was established,
I'm the north, the New England
colonies, the people wfe seeking
r, ligious freedom. II was In the
south that Washington was pro
duced. He was man OF such stat
RE as could command the respect
and confidence of bis fellow men. Al
though he was a leader among men
a leader in everything in which he
was interested, he was modest and
retiring in his nature. When he was
called to the conmandership OF the
army he felt niisgivings and be-
lleved that he was incapable OF
properly filing that Office. He was
made president over his protest.
Some people suggested that he be
made king OF the country. but he
turned his back on what Napoleon
spent a life time trying to gain.
There was never a man who cared
SO little for public life and so much
/ for the quiet OF home as George
Washington.
He voluntarily returned from
every public Office he ever held. He
retired against the wishes of the
people.
Washington was q patriot such
as is seldom known today. His
craftsmanship was when he be-
came president. This was coun.
try of four million people, mostly a
rural population, and had debts
amounting TO $4,000. 900. There were
oulg dUOut iOuT iiutS Vi Hiduuidclui-
ing established. The exports amount.
ed to s2O,O00.000 a year and fits inn.
ports to s23.00o,O0O.
washington himself was a fed
, eralist in politics, but his showed a
spirit of non-partisanship in choos.
ing his cabinet, such as has never
since been shown. lie had men of
every political belief in his cabi-
net.
His proclamation OF neutrality
when the. war OF France and Eng
land was the first tine such a spirit
of neutrality was shown. but is a
policy which has siace become ac-
cepted. Washington showed greater
foresight than any statesman since
his time.
in his farewell address he warned
the people OF great civil strife, of
combinations; he advised against
too many innovations and against
the abuse of party spirit. He advised
against the encroachment of one
governmental department upon others,
and . against extravaganza. He
warned against lack of morality and
/, religion.
Il asked you, do you not believe
Washington's farewell address was
a good admonition to the American
people?"
These addresses and the music OF
the service were listened TO by a
very much interested audience. The
subject of George Washington, which
is so often thought to be exhausted,
was shown in new. ways, and in in.
teresting ways. and the meeting was
,indeed al interesting and profitable
enc.
At Christian Church.
A mems program was given at the
Christian church hast night. Address
es were given by Earl Shoemaker,
Harold Pew, Frank Watts, and the
pastor, Rev. c. w. Comstock. Each
one spoke on some PATRIOTS subject.
Howard osgood was the organist and
a solo was sung by Glenn Shoemak.
er. Percy Shoemaker. Glen Shoe
maker and Earl Scherer also sang a
trio. The meeting was a very inter-
esting one and was well attended.
C.. e. Bredeson. deputy clerk in
the federal coyrt, delivered the an
nual memorial address on the ami
versary of washington's birthday OBJ
served in the spacious auditorium Of
Gustavus Adolphus college at st.
Peter yesterday The gathering was
well attended by large number of
students, professors and city people.
The address lasted over an hour.
Mr.. Bredesons subject was Wash.
ington, Prometheus Unbound He
chose as his minor points, Washing
ton as a general, a statesman, a
philosopher, as a theologian and as q
man: and as major point he chose
the result OF washington's personals.
ty and its effect upon posterity.
From Mondays Daily.
The Central w. c. 7. u. cele.
brated the memorial day of beloved
Frances Willard yesterday after.
noon at the First. Baptist church
and a large gathering was present