The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-02-20
WAsHINGToN's LEGACY y
TO AMERICAN PEOPLE
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military genius of the commander in
chief.
Peace" says the Puritan poet.
hath her victories no less renowned
than war" For reasons which are ia
miliar, the new experiment in free
dom came perilously close to ship,
wreck. The weak piping times of
peace had loosened all the bonds of
union. The Federal government had
almost lost the confidence of the Amer
lean people; abroad it was beginning
to be regarded with contempt. Once
more it was Washington who averted
disaster His gifted lieutenants, Ham
ilton and Madison, were, it is true, the
actors that appeared to the public, but
in their endeavors they were constant
ly aided and encouraged by the great
patriot. Let us freely praise, and for
get not to honor the thirty-nine sign
ers of the constitution, but let us re-
member that it's adoption was due
chiefly to the influence and the loyalty
of Washington.
Washington had won the political
independence of the United States;
his enlightened efforts had done much
to force upon his countrymen a sys-
TEN of government to which ma
jority of them were opposed. When,
notwithstanding this antagonism, the
constitution was finally adopted, men
again turned to the great Virginian
to assist them in putting it into opera
ton. He responded to universal de-
mand. and, for almost eight years,
gave the American people an example
OF administrative efficiency such as
they have not looked upon again.
AS president, Washington proved at
least as great as he had been as SOL
der Like the legislature under the
confederation the new congress prac-
tically abdicated, and at the outset
left in his skillful hands the entire
matter OF public finance, departmental
organization and foreign relations. AS
we are aware. this confidence was not
misplaced. He did not, as has been
done in the memory of men still liv-
ing, construct a cabinet of microscopic
men. Those appointed heads of de-
partments were selected primarily be-
cause of their knowledge of the duties
they We're expected to perform. In
his exercise of the appointing power
the first president stands far above all
his successors, and has left a lasting
example for imitation
Bacon, the wisest, the brightest, and
the meanest of mankind, said that
prosperity doth discover vice, but adj
versity doth best discover virtue" AS
president, Washington enjoyed polit-
ical prosperity. He had seen his ideas
embodied in enduring institutions, and
he beheld his country setting forth
with confidence upon her career of
glory. but he continued. as he always
had been, tranquil, temperate, sub
lime. AS Il soldier he had known the
harsh countenance of adversely. In
that part of his career we find accumu.
lated proofs of a patience in our
knowledge unaqualled, of a fortitude
that defied even disaster, and of a re.
sourcefulness that accomplished
miracles.
The mute memorials of the ancient
world give only irdistinct messages
concerning prehistoric chieftains. III
. the leading states of later times we
behold long line of patriots and con.
querors. From their number we may
select for comparison the greatest and
the best From the wreck of the Hell.
lenic world we can summon Epami
nondas and Alexander; in the buried
greatness Of Carthage we may per.
ceive the dire effects of Hannibal s
revenge, and in the glorious chronicles
OF Rome re-read the deeds of Scipic
and Caesar. Coming down to times
more modern we can find illustrious
leaders. What have their deeds done
for humanity? Their services. and in
many cases their renown was munich.
pal. On the fame of Washington s
achievements the sun never sets
America herself is scarcely unanimous
i'll her admiration for Jefferson or of
Lincoln. Concerning Washington
alone she has no doubt, and concern.
ing him the world has no doubt.-By
Charles II. Mccarthy, Phi. D., Profes
sor of American History, Catholic
University of America.
die.