The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-02-20

Because George Washington be-
lleved sincerely in the inborn, inalien-
able right of men born on this soil.
or transferred to it. spiritually as well
as physically. to the fruits of free
dom and independence; because he
believed that this nation was to be
held by them free of all oppression,
whether in the form of unjust taxa
tion or any other infringement of the
interests, welfare and principles of
the inhabitants, he receives today the
homage of the millions who enjoy the
heritage of the free America for which
he fought and which he helped to
establish. This. according to an ar
ticle in the New York Herald, which
goes on TO say:
In this he was at one with other
| great men bred in the new, free spirit
and atmosphere of the colonies. He
did not seek to set himself over them,
but to work with them, contributing
as his part in the struggle his mill
tary genius and experience and his
carefully trained executive ability.
His ideal was the common good. For
that he gave his time and strength
unstintedly. risking his all, and with
drew only when government was so
well established that it would not suf-
fer from his retirement.
Throughout his career the one re-
ward he sought was that he might
! partake, lin the midst of my fellow
citizens, the benign influence of good
/ laws under a free government, the
ever favorite object of my heart"
Washington, although possessing
wealth and position. although observ-
ant of forms and ceremonies. was in
! the best sense a democrat, man who
sought the same privileges and oppor-
tunities for every one of his fellow
citizens which he enjoyed, and who
devoted his gifts and energies to that
end
That they might have them he not
only expended freely his energies of
mind and body, but he constantly ex-
horted his fellow countrymen to pre-
pare themselves for the high destiny
that he foresaw for this country. first.
by raising and equipping an adequate
army-a task that frequently hung
leaden on his hands-and, second. by
properly safeguarding their rights
after they had been won.
In 1898 Washington. in his second
term as President, wrote to Congress
that. while he sought peace and urged
a faithful discharge of every duty
toward others, he recommended
prompt measures not only for de-
fense. but for enforcing just claims.
There is a rank due the United
States among other nations which
will be withheld. if not absolutely
| lost. by the reputation of weakness.
If we desire to avoid insult we must
be able to repel it; if we desire 10
secure peace, one of the most power
| full instruments of our prosperity, 1t
must be known that we are at all
times ready for war" he wrote.
AS ne wished to avoid war, so he
also wished to avoid alliances which
might jeopardize the peace of the ma
ton.
Against the insidious wiles of for
eign influence the jealousy of free
people ought to be constantly awake,
he said, warningly.
"The great rule of conduct for us in
regard to foreign nations is in extend
ing our commercial relations to have
as little political connection as pos
sible. :.
"If we remain one people under an
efficient government, the period is moi
far off when we may deny material
injury from external annoyance;
when we may take such an attitude
as will cause the neutrality we NAV
at any time be resolved upon to DC
scrupulously respected; when bellig'
erents, under the impossibility o.
making acquisitions upon us, will no
lightly hazard the giving us proyoca'
ton: when we may choose peace ol
war. as our interests, guided by JUS
tice. shall counsel
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