Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-02-17

the Standard of independence
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
n 10 meet and proper. that the
~ solemn anniversary OF this Feb
ruary should be widely observed
George Washington's death caused q
thrill Of the deepest sorrow to run
through the young nation. which he
had aided so materially in creating.
He had left his Office. relinQuishins
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 SO thoroughly represented. He had
withdrawn to the privacy of life which
he Gravel during many years. but he
had not retired beyond the sympathiss
and love of his lellow countrymen.
Consequently when 1t became
known, by the slow processes of the
period. that George Washington was
dead, even though ne had reached .
ripe age when death was not unex-
pected possibility. there was great
mourning. The nation paused to do
reverence to hi. memory. Strong
men shed tears. There were on every
side tokens of the deepest and most
sincere grief. It was as though be-
loved parent hau 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 well 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
his distressful winter campaigns,
when he suffered with the men with
out regard for the distinctions OF rank,
typifed his posture toward the body
polite. Men loved him as a friend.
respected him Is a counselor. revered
him as a leader.
Such lives shed immortal influences
over all their surroundings. Poor, in
deed, is the nation which cannot point
to some such figure and say: Here
is our ideal, our type, or guide, our
inspiration and our champion!" Poor
is the man who cannot in his heart
look up to some life which he feels
it,. I'M Nnlty &c
than his, whose example leads him
forward to higher thoughts and more
exalted conceptions.
1t is well that the forms OF cere-
mony should fall into lines which
most Immediately leads the public
thought TO George Washington as
man. The Masonic bodies bring back
TO recollection through their solemn
rites and earnest devotions at the
tomb where tho .eat President lies
buried, a thought of Washington as q
| citizen, as worker among men, a
| companion, helper, an individual
| The patriotic societies in their obser-
vations and meetings recall him as q
| soldier, the strenuous worker for the
| creation CT a 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 n
deep sense among the people, aside
from organization. and orders, o; the
craftsmanship of " ashington. 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 time. and un-
der such an impulse, deeper sense
| of duty and keener appreciation OF
it's opportunities. The years which
have passed 5. .ce Washingtonn's
death lave brought many radical
changes, but his spirit Is dominant
in the institutions and the aspirations
of the people. for the republic is still
rounded upon the rock Of human lib
erty. upon which he planted his stand
ard.