The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-02-16

nm free Of all oppression. whether
XAJ the form Of unjust taxation or an
other infringement Of the Interests
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, accort
ing to an 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 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. For that he gave his
time and strength unstintedly, risked his all and
withdrew only when government was so well es-
tabshed that 1t would not suffer from his retire
ment.
Throughout his career the one reward he sought
was that he might partake "tn 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-
sition, although observant Of forms and ceremonies
was in the best democrat, a man who
sought tie same privileges and opportunities for
everyon. of his fellow citizens which he enjoyed
and who devoted his gifts and energies to that end
That iley might have them he not only expended
freely kis 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 ade
quate nrmy. n 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 old. 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 middys warrant, OBJ
tained for him when he 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
majesty's service.
He had been out of school only few months
when he got his first job-as a surveyor. 1t 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 concident with his entrance
upon private career young Washington Identified
himself with public interests. Fond Of athletics
and sports well of military affairs, he Joined
the local militia and when nineteen years old was
made a major.
When he was still In his twenties he won his first
colonecy in his gallant but disastrous first cam
paign against the French. 1t was there that he
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 its way a fufment 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 few months ran away. Washington ardentiy
appealed to thu Continental and Provincial con-
crosses to provide for longer enlistments and an
adequate system. of recruitment.
C0nserva<1ve and aristOcrat as he was cassed,
Washington now favored the radicals. who sought
to break with the home government and set up
their own. II have never entertained the IDEA OF
an accommodation" he said, "snce heard OF the
measures which were adopted in consequence OF
the Bunker Ihll fight"
His stanch attitude was maintained In the MIDST
of dishearteoing experiences, not only with the
enemy in tie field. but with troubemakers In mis-
own camp Il know the unhappy predicament In
which stand" he wrote; II know that much is ex-
pected of me know that, without men, without
arins, without ammunition. without anything MT Tor
ehe accommodation of soldier, little Is to be
done and what is mortifying. know that can
not stand justified to the world without exposing
my own weakness and injuring the cause by de-
ciaring my wants. My situation has been such that
l have had to use art to conceal 1t even from my
officers"
ly proclaimed 1.-THE general most earnestly en-
treats the officers and soldiers to consider conse-
Quences; that we can no way assist our enemies
more than by making divisions among ourselves; !;
that the honor and success Of the army ana the
safety Of our bleeding country depend upon har>
mony and good agreement with each other that
the provinces all united to oppose the COM
mon enemy and all distinctions In the name OF