Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1916-03-03
NEWPORT

Patriotic exercises were held
IN the auditorium of the High
School building Friday after
noon to commemorate the birth
of George Washington, the first
president of the United States,
and one of the greatest generals
and statesmen the world has
ever produced. He was born
ON the 22d of February, 1882, on
the banks of the beautiful Pa
tonic river in Virginia. His
father was Augustine Washing
ton, the son Of John Washing
ten, who left England more
than three centuries ago and
settled in Virginia. Augustine
was married twice. His first
wife was Mary Butler, by whom
he had several children. His
second wife was Mary Ball, who
was the mother of George Wash-
ington, who was left an orphan
at eleven years Of age. When
George was accused of cutting
the cherry tree his father said 81
would rather lose a thousand
trees than have my boy tell a
fe." This shows the kind Of
stuff his father was made of and
his mother was still made Of
finer material and greater honor.
Washington had an earnest love
and deep veneratiol for his
mother. He had two sisters,
Betty and Mildred, and three
brothers, John, Augustine and
Charles, but Charles died in in
fancy. Mrs. Washington was a
woman of uncommon character
combining all those qualities
that go to make the best of wo,
men-a good mother. She saw
in George, her Oldest son, thos,
generous and noble traits tha
go to make a great character
She saw with pride his scorn Il
tell a lie that he might save him
self from punishment, his hatre;
OF wrong and oppression II
whatever guise 1t came and hi
love for the right and good. HI
had a bold, strong, impetuou
nature and when aroused
was hard to control. He wa
fearless and reckless of danger
but his mother kept him stron,
will under subsection to reason
His passions and faculties wer
cultivated and suppressed. Ii
the wild forest Of Virginia h
went to the district school
Here he became Injured to pri
vations and hardships. Here h
learned self-reliance and love O
justice and physical strength, h
became a teacher among tn
people. In school he was note
for hard study and good lesson
and good department. At thir
teen he made some rules to gov
ern his actions in life, such as
gaze not on the blemishes @
Others, and ask not how the
came;" What you say to
friend in secret do not tell
Others" when you speak G
God, do so with reverence
"Honor and obey your parents
thought they be poor" "Kee
your conscience clear" Thi
is the kind of foundation upo
which the great character {
Washington was built. It
worthy of our imitation. Thu
with these characteristics he 81
renely, as If in harmony wit
nature, arose in the world, an
after seven yeras Of weary wa
he established a free govern
ment for the people, and then, 6
though his work was done, III
stained by any crime or di
loyalty sank to rest amid IL
praise and plaudits of a frt
people. 1t was the biggest da
Newport public schools ha,
ever had. No less than six hui
dred people were present. TT
t,achers had taken great pail
TO train the pupils for the occa
ion. twas no small task to {
this. Each pupil performed h
pa well. The stage was bea'
tirI!ly decorated with the Sta
an: Stripes, bunting and eve
greens. The 9Th, 9Th, 7th al
9Th grades represented the da.
OF Washington, and the list, 2
Sd and fourth grades represel
ted the days Of Lincoln. I'll
colonial costumes of Washin,
tons day was observed and IL
dress and costumes Of Lincoln
day was observed. The singin
was under the direction Of Mi!
Maude Harkleroad. she presit
ing at the piano. AS the variot
parts were performed on tn
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