The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-02-16

f. Nm free OF all oppression, whether i
USl) the form of unjust taxation an
other infringement of the interest,
welfare and principles of the inhabitants, he re
ceives today the homage Of the millions who enjo
the heritage of the free America for which h
fought and which he helped establish. This accord
Ing To article in the New York Herald, which
goes on to say:
In this he at with other great men bred
in the new, free spirit and atmosphere of the
colonies. He did not seek TO set himself them.
but to work with them contributing as his part in
the struggle his military genius and experience
and his carefully trained executive ability His
ideal was the common good. For that he gave his
time and strength unstintedy, risked his all and
withdrew only when government was so we'll
tablished that it would not suffer from his retire
ment.
Throughout his career the one reward he sought
was that he might partake, "n the midst of my
fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws
under a free government, the ever favOrte object
OF my heart"
Washington, although possessing wealth and po-
sion, although observant of forms and ceremonies.
In the best sense n democrat n man who
sought the same privileges and opportunities for
everyone 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
stantly eXhOrted his fellow countrymen to prepare
this country, first by raising and equpping an ade
quate army, a task that frequently hung leaden
his hands and second, by properly safeguarding
their rights after they had been won.
George Washington received less education-ln
schOOl-than most lads of poor parentage do today.
He left school before he sixteen years old, and
except In mathematics, in which he had advanced
through geometry and trgonometry, his education
did not extend beyond that which boys usually get
In the grammar gradGSSOf 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 Il royal middy's warrant, OBJ
tained for him when he fourteen years old.
and only because OF his mothers reluctance TO
have him go to England he spared 10 fight for
the colonies instead Of becoming officer in his
majeStys service
He had been out Of school only a few months
when he got his first job-as Il surveyor. 1t was
good one, too, for Lord Fairfax, having noted the
lads mental equipment and his inrepidity, gave
him commission To survey his wild acres In the
Shenandoah valley. SO well did Washington ac-
compsh the arduouS task that he was made pub
lie surveyor Almost concident with his entrance
upon private career young Washington Identified
himself with public interests. Fond Of athletics
and sports as we'll as of military affairs, he joined
the local militia and when nineteen years old was
made major.
When he was still in his twenties he won his first
colonelcy in his gallant hut disastrous first cam
paign against the French. 1t was there that he
first tasted the bitter fruits of unpreparedness.
When Washington went to Philadelphia n
member Of the Second Continental congress he
wore his provincial uniform an instructive express
sion Of his feeling I'm regard TO the crisis that was
60 come-in its way a fulfillment 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 a few months ran away. Washington ardenty
appealed to the Continental and Provincial con-
crosses to provide for longer enlistments and an
adequate system Of recruitment
Conservative and aristocrat as ne was classed.
Washington favored the radicals who sought
TO break with the home government and set up
their own. 81 have never entertained the idea OF
an accommodation" he said. "since heard OF the
measures which were adopted in consequence OF
the Bunker Hill fight"
His stanch attitude maintained in the midst
OF disheartcnlng experiences. not only with the
enemy in the field. but with troublemakers in his
own camp 81 know the unhappy predicament in
which stand" he wrote II know that much is ex-
pected OF me; know that without men, without
arms without ammunition without anything ft for
che accommodation Of n soldier. little Is 10 be
done and. what Is mortifying. / know that can
not stand justified 20 the world without exposing
my own weakness and injuring the cause by de-
wants Aly SITUATION mas Deen SuCn tIldt
have had to use art to conceal 1t even from my
officers"
Jealousies hampered him so sorely that he stern
" proclaimed: The general most earnestly en-
treats the officers and soldiers TO consider conse-
duenceS; that way assist our enemies
more than by making divisions among ourselves
that the honor and success Of the army and the
safety Of our bleeding country depend upon har-
rnony and good agreement with each other; that
The provinces are all united TO oppose the COM
pon enemy and all distinctions in the name OF