The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-02-20

ll6M I'D NH to the fruits of freedom and 1nae-
IkM N K%cIl incidence: because he believed that
aIM - kFlI This nation was to be held by them
1WkIE@N\VI free Of nil oppression whether in
ikVS)KYl(SVjM tho form of unjust taxation or any
l2SakoS<@l orber infringement Of the interests,
welfare and principles Of the inhabitants. ne leeeNes
to-day the homage of the millions VINO EMO! 'he he'i
taee of the free America for which he tougnt ana
which he helped establish.
1n.ths he was at one with other great men pleu IL
the new free spirit and atmosphere OF 'he co'ohes
He did not seek set himself over Them put 10 "orA
with them contributing his part IN the strusse HIS
military genius and experience and his careiuhy
trained executive ability. HIS ideal was the common
good For that lie gave his time and strength I'M
stintedly, risked his all and Withdrew only wneh
government was so well established that 1t would NOT
suffer from his retirement.
Throughout his career the one reward he sought
was that he might parake. 'in the midst OF my 1ei-
low citizens, the benign influence of good laws IN
der free government the ever favorite object OF
my heart"
Washington. although possessing wealth ana po-
stion, although observant of forms anu ceremonies
was in the best sense democrat, man who sought
the same privileges and opportunities for every one
Of bis fellow citizens which he enjoyed and who de-
voted his g1[tS anu energies " luaI chu'
That they might have them he not only expended
freely his energies of mind and body but he con-
stantly exlorted his fellow countrymcn to prepare
themselves for the high destiny that he foresaw for
this country first by raising and equipping an ade-
ouate army. task that frequently hung leaden on
his hands, and, secondly, by properly safeguarding
their rights after they had been won.
washington was an early and constant believer In
national preparedness.
George Washington received less education-in
school-than most lads Of poor parentage do to-day.
He left school before be was sixteen years old, and
except in mathematics, in which he had advanced
through geometry and trigonometry his education
did not extend beyond that which boys usually get
in the grammar grades Of the public schools. What
he studied he knew, however, as his carefully kept
notebooks attest. He manifested special aptitude
for surveying and for military affairs. This taste led
to his having royal middys warrant, obtained for
him when he was fourteen years old, and only be-
cause Of his mothers reluctance to have him so to
England was he spared to fight for the colonies in
stead of becoming an officer in His Majestys ser
vice.
He had been out of school only few months
when he got his first job-as a surveyor. 1t was
good one, too, for Lord Fairfax, having noted the
lads mental equipment and his ntrepidiy, gave him
a commission to survey his wild acres in the Shenan-
doah Valley. So well did Washington accomplish
the arduous task that he was made public sur
yeyor Almost coincident with his entrance upon
private career young Washington identified himself
with public interests. Fond Of athletics and sports
as well as of military affairs, he Joined the local
militia and when nineteen years old was made u
major.
When be was still in his twentes he won his first
colonelcy in his gallant but disastrous first CAM
paign against the French 1t there that he first
tasted the bitter fruits Of unpreparedness.
When Washington went to Philadelphia rs MEM
her of the Second Continental Congress he wore his
provincial uniform, an Instructive expression of his
feeling in regard to the crisis that was to come-in
its way fulfilment Of prophecy-for during the
session he was put at the head Of the Irregular army
near Boston. He found that army not only without
discipline and equipment but without powder Men
who had enlisted only for few months ran away.
Washington ardently appealed to the Conunenta:
and Provincial congresses to provide for longer enlist
ments and an adequate system OF recruitment.
Such authority he had he used With diligence
and foresight Under Ills orders few fast vessels
were fitted out and armed priyateers at the neur-
est safe ports. Marblehead volunteers In the army
were nut aboard them for crews, and the enemy's
SuOO1eS, uSSoSN PS''>,S''
,ured upop the seas and brought overland into the
American camp.
After long period of waiting the Americans were
on Dorchester Heights and the British evacuated
Roston. washington's keen sense told him that the
die was now cast, that peace was impossible that
England would speedily pour forth relnforcements
to "reduce the colony to proper sense OF It's duty.
Conservative and arstocrat us he was classed
Washington now favored the radicals, who sought to
break with the home government and set up their
own II have never entertained the idea Of all accom-
modation," he said, "since heard of the measures
which were adopted in consequence OF the Bunker
Hill fight"
His stanch attitude was maintained III the most
of disl,eartening experiences, not only with the
enemy in the field but with trouble makers IN his
own camp II know the unhappy predcament IN
which stand" he wrote; II know that much Is ex-
pected Of me; know that, without men, without
nrns. without ammunition without anything fit for
the accommodation of soldier, little Is to be done;
and what Is Notifying, know that cannot stand
justified to the world without exposing my own
weakness and injuring the cause by declaring my
wants. My situation has been such that i have had
- - oorcaaI n avon from my officers"