The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1917-02-16


other infringement Of the interest
welfare and principles Of the inhabitants he r.
eeiVes today the homage OF the millions who enjo
the heritage Of the free America for which
Fought and which he helped establish. This aecor,
ing TO an 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
ana his carefully trained executive ability His
Ideal was the common good. For that he gave his
time and strength unstlntedly, risked his all and
withdrew only when government was so well es-
tahlished that II would not suffer from his retire
ment.
Throughout his career the one reward he sought
was mat he might partake Sin 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 Do
siuon, although observant OF forms and ceremonies
was In the best sense n democrat, Il man who
sought the same privileges and opportunities for
everyone OF his fellow citizens which he enjoyed
una VINO 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 equippng 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--ln
school-than most lads Of poor parentage do today
lilo left school before he sixteen years old and
except In mathematics, In which he had advanced
through geometry and trlgonometry 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 mlddy's warrant OBJ
tained for him when he was fourteen years old,
and only because of his mothers reluctance TO
have him 80 20 England he was spared to fight for
the colonies instead OF becoming an officer In his
malesty's service.
lilo had been out OF school only few months
when hc got his first job--as a surveyor. II was
good one too for Lord Fairfax. having noted the
lads mental equipment and his intrcpidty gave
him commission to survey his wild acres In the
Shenandoah valley. So well did Washington ac-
eompllsh the arduous task that he was made pub
Tic surveyor, Almost coincident with his entrance
upon n private career young Washington identified
himself with public interests Fond OF athletics
and sports well OF military affairs he joined
the local militia aud when nineteen years old was
made major.
When he was still In his twenties he won his nrst
eolonecy IN his gallant but disastrous first cam
paiEn against the French. II was there that he
first tasted the bitter fruits OF unpreparcdness.
When Washington went TO Philadelphia rs a
member OF the Second Continental congress he
his provincial uniform. instructive express
sion OF his feeling In regard to the crisis that
to come-in It's way fulallment Of prophecy
for during the session he put at the head Of
the irregular army near Boston. He found that
army not only without discipline aud equipment
but without powder Men who had enlisted only
TOR few months ran away. Washington arlently
nnpgHled tN the Continental aud Provincial enn
crosses 60 provide for longer enlistmeuts and an
adequate system of recruitment
Conservative and ariStocrat as he was clasScd.
Washington now favored the radicals, who sought
to break with the home government and set up
their own. Il have never entertained the idea 81
an accommodation" he said "since l heard Of tho
measures which were adopted IN consequence 81
the Bunker INN light"
Ills stanch attitude was maintained In the midst
AZ dtshcartcuing experiences, not only with the
enemy IN the aeld. but with troublenakcrs In his
camp. Il know the unhappy predicament In
which stand" he wrote Il know that much Is ex.
pected ot me know that without men. without
arms. without ammunition without anything ut for
the accommodation OF soldier, little Is 10 be
done aud. what Is Notifying. know thar can
not stand Justified To the world without exposing
my weakness and lnjurtng the cause by de-
rlariug my wants. Aiy situation has been such that
have had 10 use art TO conceal Il even rrou my
officers"
Jcalousics hampercd him 50 sorely that he stern.
~ proclaimed: The general most earnestly en-
treats the officers and soldiers 10 consider con<e
aucnces that way assist our enemies
more than by making divisions amCNg ourselves:
that the honor aud success of the army and the
safety 81 our bleeding country depend upon bar
mony and good agreement with each other; r1at
the provinces are all united 10 oppose the ,nm-
mon enemy aud all distinctions in the name OF