, 1918-02-14

hent 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-
<abliSh.
II In this he was at one with other great men bred
u the new. free spirit and atmosphere of the
colonies. He did not seek to set himself over
fhem, but TO work with them, contributing as his
part In the struggle his military genius and ex-
Perlence and his carefully trained executive
hbiity. His ideal was the common good. For
nat he gave his time and strength unstintedly.
throughout his career the one reward he
|Sought was that he might partake, "in the midst
p my fellow citizens. the benign influence of good
paws under a free government, the ever favorite
pbject of my heart"
Washington. although possessing wealth and po-
sition, although Observant of forms and cere-
nohies, was In the best sense a democrat, a man
VINO sought the same privileges and opportunities
lor every one of his fellow citizens which he en-
9oEed, and who devoted his gifts and energies to
that end.
lhat 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
ioreSaw for this country, first, by raising and
%equlpping an adequate army, a task that fire.
Iquehtly hung leaden on his hands, and, secondly,
10y properly safeguarding their rights after they
mad been won.
George Washington received less education
"'p tnan most ladS OF poor percentage 10
'ouay. He left school before he was sixteen years
'od' and, except in mathematics in which he had
pu'ahced through geometry and trigonometry, his
euucallon did not extend beyond that which boys
u'u"'lE get In the grammar grades of the public
hcho"lS. What he studied he knew, however, rs
ms carefully kept notebooks attest. He mani
eSted n special aptitude for surveying and for
military affairs. This taste led to his having a
oSal middy's warrant, obtained for him when he
u fourteen years old, and only because OF his
Ino'htrs reluctance to have him go to England
was ne spared to fight for the colonies instead Of
becoming an officer in his majesty's service.
ne mad been out of school only a few months
Wheh he got his first job-as a surveyor. 1t was
good one, too. for Lord Fairfax, having noted
NE infs mental equipment and his intrepidity,
IkaNe nm a commission to survey his wild acres In
'he Shenandoah valley. So well did Washington
accomplish the arduous task that he was made a
iuoil' surveyor. Almost coincident with his en-
n"N'r upon n private career young Washington
urhIlied himself with public interests. Fond Of
aN'rues and sports, as well as of military affairs,
ne Joined the local militia, and when nineteen
'tulS old was made a major.
"hrn he was still In his twenties he won his
nrSt colonelcy in his gallant, but disastrous, first
"Hphign against the French. 1t was there
mess.
When Washington went to Philadelphia as a
henOer of the Second Continental congress he
'"e MS provincial uniform, an instructive ex-
PRESTON OF his feeling in regard to the crisis that
""S 10 come-in its way n fulfllment of prophecy
nor during the session he was put at the head
W 'he Irregular army near Boston. He found
s"o' orlny, not only without discipline and equip
--tA'' nut without powder. Men who had enlisted
.omN Tor a few months ran away. Washington
utuehuy appealed to the continental and pro-
"''"' congresses to provide for longer enlist