Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1918-02-15

N1 FF0
ment of the interests, welfare and principles of the
Inhabitants, he receives today the homage of the
millions who enjoy the heritage of the free Amer
lea for which he fought and which he helped es-
tablish.
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 ex-
perience and his carefully trained executive
ability. His ideal was the common good. For
that he gave his time and strength unstintedly,
Throughout his career the one reward he
sought was that he might partake, Gin the midst
of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good
laws under n free government, the ever favOrite
object of my heart"
Washington. although possessing wealth and po-
sltion, although observant of forms and cere-
monies. was in the best sense a democrat, a man
who sought the same privileges and opportunities
for every one Of his fellow citizens which he en-
joyed. and who devoted his gifts dnd energies to
that end.
That they might have them, he not only eX-
pended freely his energies of mind and body, but
ne constantly exhOrted his fellow countrymen to
prepare themselves for the high destiny that he
forcsaw for this country, first, by raising and
e~quipping an adequate army, a task that fire.
duentIy hung leaden on his hands, and, secondly,
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 was 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, rs
his carefully kept notebooks attest. He mani
tested a special aptitude for surveying and for
military affairs. This taste led to his having a
royal middy's warrant, obtained for him when he
was fourteen years old, and only because of his
mothers reluctance to have him go TO England
was he spared to fight for the colonies Instead OF
becoming nm officer in his majesty's service.
He had been out Of school only a few months
when he got his first job-as a surveyor. II was
a good one, too, for Lord Fairfax, having noted
the lads mental equipment and his lntrepidity,
gave him a commission to survey his wild acres In
fine Shenandoah valley. So well did Washington
accomplish the arduOus task that he was made a
puhlic surveyor. Almost coincident with his en-
trance upOn a private career young Washington
Identified himself with public interests. Fond OF
athletics and sports, as well as of military affairs
ne Joined the local militia, and when nineteen
years old was made a major.
When he was still in his twenties he won his
first colonelcy in his gallant but disastrous hrs'
campaign against the French. 1t was there
that he first tasted the bitter fruits Of unprepared'
ness.
When Washington went to Philadelphia as O
member of the Second Continental congress hi
wore his provincial uniform, an instructive ex
preston Of his feeling in regard to the crisis tina
was to come-in its way a fulhllment of prophecy
for during the session he was put at the heaf
Of the irregular army near Boston. He fOunC
that army. not only without discipline and equip
ment. but without powder. Men who had enlisted
,nly for a few months ran AWAY. Washington
ardently appealed to the continental and pro
vlncial congresses to provide for longer enlist