Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-02-16

4
other infringement of the Interests
welfare and principles of the Inhabitants, he rt
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 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 military genius and experience
and his carefully trained executive ability His
ideal was the common good.N For that he gave his
time and strength unstintedly rsked his all and
withdrew. only when government SO we'll es-
tablshed that it would not suffer from his retire
ment.
Throughout his career the one reward he sought
was that he might partake, 'in the midst of my
fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws
under free government, the ever favorite object
of my heart"
Washington, although possessing wealth and po-
siOn, although observant of forms and ceremonies,
was in the best sense a democrat, 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 con-
stantly exhorted his fellow countrymen to prepare
themselves for the high destiny that he foresaw for
this country, first by raising and equpping an ade-
quate army, task that frequently hung leaden on
his hands, and second, by properly safeguarding
their rights after they had been won.
George Washington received less education- in
School-than most lads of poor parentage do today.
He left school before he sixteen years DID, 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 middy's warrant OBJ
tanned for him when he was fourteen years old,
and only because of his mothers reluctance to
have him go to England he was spared to fight for
the colonies instead of becoming an officer in his
mdjestys service.
He had been out of school only few months
when he got his first jobas surveyor. It was
good one, too, for Lord Fairfax, having noted the
lads mental equipment and his intrepidity, gave
him a commission to survey his wild acres in the
Shenandoah valley. So well did Washington ac-
complish the ,arduous task that he was made pub
lie surveyor. Almost coincident with his entrance
upon private career young Washington identified
himself with public interests. Fond Of athletics
and sports as well of military affairs, he joined
the local militia and when nineteen years old was
made q major.
When he was still in his twenties he won his first
coloneIcy in his gallant but disastrous first cam
first tasted the bitter fruits of unpreparedness
When Washington went to Philadelphia as
member of the Second Continental congress he
wore his provincial uniform, instructive express
sion of his feeling in regard to the crisis that was
to come-in it's way a fulfillment of prophecy
for during the session he was put at the head OF
the irregular army 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 Continental and Provincial con-
crosses to provide for longer enliStmentS and an
adequate system of recruitment.
Conservative and 'aristocrat as he was classed,
Washington now favored the radicals, who sought
10 break with the home government and set up
their own 81 have never entertained the idea Of
an accommodation" he said "since I heard of the
measures which were adopted in consequence of
the Bunker Hill fight"
His stanch attitude was maintained in the midst
of disheartening experiences, not only with the
enemy in the field but with troublemakers in his
own camp. II know the unhappy predcament in
which l stand' he wrote; 81 know that much is ex-
pected of me; know that, without men, without
arms, without ammunition, without anything ut Tor
the accommodation of a soldier, little is to be
done; and, what is Notifying, know that cam
not stand justified to the world without exposing
my own weakness and injuring the cause by de-
claring my wants My situation has been such that
have had to use art to conceal it even from my
officers"
Jealousies hampered him so sorely that he stern
Nv proclaimed: 1.-THE general most earnestly en-
treats the officers and soldiers to consider conse-
.iuences that we can way assist 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"
lnony and good agreement with each other; that
the provinces are all united to oppose the COM
mon enemy and all distinctions in the name OF