The Irish standard., 1915-02-27

The foreign foe was conquered, but
Washtngton's mission was not ended
yet. An internal evil cropped up that
looked as If it were about to eat into
the heart of the Republic. The army
was on the point of revolt; there was
little money and less credit. Liberty
looked as II it were mere delusion-
heritage of woe. Washington did
not hesitate. He had formed nation;
he would cement union He left his
home at the call Of duty. He flung
himself with all his old ardor among
the politicians, and his presence was
as beneficial as was that of the angel
at the pool of Sloan, stirring up the
lethargic waters to fresh life and util-
ity. Adversaries he had many but like
Flower of strength
which stood four-square to all the
winds that blew"
the Hercules of justice and of liberty
confronted them. The constitution
was drawn up. The old idea of
greatness was changed society es-
tablished and maintained its right
and it's duty to govern itself. The
world was now to see whether a
popular government, by the strength
of this principle, could maintain its
own peace, carry forward it's own in
terests, and conduct itself to political
greatness and glory 1t was a new
experiment. 1t seemed dangerous
one. Only here
Nor caste, nor King, nor privilege
was known"
Luckily for America, fortunately for
humanity, the peoples voice was
raised In no uncertain way, proclaim
ing that Washington should be the
first President. He was fitted for the
position by his wisdom, by his patriot
ism, by his discretion, by all that could
inspire confidence in man towards
i man. And now the Revolutionist be-
came Conservative. Washington saved
his country from the fate of other
lands. He Gained the storm. There
was no American Madame Roland to
cry out as she was dragged to the
block, 20 liberty what crimes are com.
mitted in thy name!' No! we had NO
regn of terror; we had no Madame
Roland even as we had no necessity
for a Charlotte COrday. Liberty was
here no empty name; for Washington
not only brought the nation out of the
valley of death, but he was a leader
and a guide for the people he re
deemed. He watched by the cradle
of the young Republic; he saw he1
bloom In her youth and grow fresh
and strong; he saw her credit estab
llshed, her debts wiped out and the
star of promise rise in the heavens
and hover over this land of liberty
And when his work was done, when
his days were drawing to close, he
saw her nation free as the bird that
flies and wings the balmy ARA ma
ton destined to swell with every ag,
gaining momentum Us 1t rolls on will
the flood of time, until in our day i
stands like some giant mountain
against whose sides the winds and tn,
waters may beat in vain-a monument
Of strength and ndestructibility. CAP
plause.)
II Such is America. Such was Wash
ington. Yes,
Such was he: his work is done
But while the races of mankind endure
Let his great example stand
Colossal, seen of every land,
And keep the soldier firm, the states
man pure;
Till in all lands and thro' all human
, story
The path of duty be the way to glory
, Such was he. We are told in GU
, books, that no nobler figure ever stoo,
. In the forefront of nations life. An,
yet today he is being sharply crit
cised not only for the way he tough
the battles, but for the constitution h,
inspired. He is criticised not only TO
the things he did, but for the thing
. he left undone. They tell us that Ii,
had not the brilliancy of Frederic o
the genius of Napoleon. Let us gran
1t and much more. He was more sole
than brilliant; he was gifted with judg
ment rather than with genius. Blu
which do you prefer, the solidity ant
judgment Of Washington or the bril-
liancy and genius of Frederic tn,
Great and Napoleon? We Shout,
judge man by the times in which h,
lived and by how much he made ou
of the materials at his disposal; ant
those very contemporaries Of his whom
l have just mentioned and to whom
he has been compared measured hin
Alright and paid just tribute to hi:
greatness. But, suppose we judge hin
only by actual results, suppose VIZ
know him only by his actual accom-
plishments, then, say,
Whatever record leap to light
He never shall be shamed"
(Applause.)
If you, ladies and gentlemen, eve,
lived under another flag as have had