Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-02-18
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Tho Republic is Still Founded
Upon the Rock of Human Lib
erty, On Which He Planted
the Standard of independence
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m T Is meet and proper that the
u solemn anniversary of this Feb.
ruary should be widely observed.
George Washington's death caused a
thrill of the deepest sorrow to run
through the young nation, which he
had aided SO materially in creating.
He had left his office, relinquishing
all formal ties which bound him to the
organization. He had not, however,
severed the stronger ties which bound
him to the hearts Of the people whom
he 30 thoroughly represented. He had
withdrawn to the privacy of life which
he Gravel during many years, but he
had not retired beyond the sympathies
and love Of his rellow countrymen.
Consequently when 1t became
known, by the slow processes Of the
period. that George Washington was
dead, even though he had reached
ripe age when death was not unex.
pected possibility, there was great
mourning. The nation paused to do
reverence to his memory Strong
men shed tears. There were on every
side tokens OF the deepest and most
sincere grief. 1t was as though be-
loved parent had been taken from
the family circle, leaving place
which none could fill, however ex-
alted, however wise, however admira-
Bile.
For George Washington was unique
in his personality and his achieve
ments, as we'll as in his opportunities.
He stood alone, apart from other men
In his endowments, yet of them and
among them in his emotions
and sympathies and aspirations.
His attitude toward his army in
when he suffered with the men with
out regard for the distinctions of rank,
typifled his posture toward the body
polite Men loved him as friend,
respected him as counselor, revered
him as a leader.
Such lives shed immortal. influences
over all their surroundings. Poor, in
deed, Is the nation which cannot poirL
to some such figure and say: Here
Is our ideal, our type, or guide our
inspirat en- and our champion" Poor
is the man who cannot in his heart
look up to some life which he feels
instinctlvely is greater, purer, better
than his, whose example leads him
forward to higher, thoughts and more
exalted conceptions. r,,..s.
, 1t Is well that the forms Of cere-
lmonv should fall into Lines which
most Immediately. leads the public
thought to George Washington as a
man. The Masonic bodies bring back
to recollection through their solemn
rites and earnest devotions at the
tomb where the great President lies
buried, a thought of Washington as a
citizen, as worker among men, a
companion, helper, an mdlridual.
The patriotic societies in their obsef-
vations and meetings recall him as a
I soldier, the strenuous worker for the
Z creation of new nation the leader of
men, the commander, the genius OF
war, the planne.' of campaigns
Beyond these special forms Of COM
memoration there prevails to-day a
s deep sense among the people, aside
from organization and orders, o. the
craftsmanship of Washington, the Wis
dom of his words and acts, his con
tributions to the oral stability of the
republic. And the great common
wealth feels, at such a time, and up
der such an impulse, deeper sense
of duty and keener appreciation ol
its opportunities. The years which
have passed since Westinghouse
death have brought many radica
changes. but his spirit is dominant
in the institutions and the aspirations
of the people, for the republic is still
founded upon the rock of human lib
erty, upon which he planted his stand