New-York tribune., 1918-01-12
Washington and Lincoln
Let the c. A. r. Help the School
Celebrations

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The month of February contains the
dates of the birthdays of two Of the greatest
Americans that ever lived, Washington and
Lincoln. AS a patriotic instructor in the
Grand Army and as a loyal citizen, / wish
to urge the readers of The Tribune, and es-
pccialy the teachers in the public schools, to
begin at once to prepare for a proper OBJ
servance and celebration OF these two days
Both of these men stand forth the
highest examples of lofty patriotism that
this or any other country has ever known
splendid exponcnts Of that patriotism that
has been we'll defined as "such loving sense
Of the unity and the vitality of the national
life as will lead one to gladly obey the law,
guard its dignity, to aid in its enforce
ment, to exercise noble self-rcstrant, to
cultivate civic virtues and political wisdom,
to sacrifice to suffer, and, if needs be- to die
tor ones country"
In this short definition think we have Just
the kind Of patriotism that influenced all the
acts Of these truly great Americans and Just
the sentiments that We need SO very much to-
day. How many of the residents of this
city should learn "to exercise noble self
restraint! | urge teachers and scholars TO
procure, if possible, the attendance of some
veterans Of the Grand Army to make short
addresses. Not that they eloquent speak
ers, but the sight of a veteran wearing the
faded blue uniform and the badges that
have been tarnished by the touch Of time
would be an inspiration long to be rcmem-
bered by the children 1t would be sight
that will soon be denied them forever.
These men about the only ones now
living that saw Lincoln and knew by
sonal experience Of the trying times through
which he and they brought this nation to
victory and unity. And these men were in
perfect accord with their great commander
when he solemnly declared: ave accepted
this for object, and world object,
and the war will end when that object is at
tanned under God. ! hope it will never end
until that time"
| remember at a post meeting one evening
that a veteran who had served all of the four
years Of the Civil War, who had been in
tifty-two battles, who bore numerous and still
painful wounds received in battle, but who
seldom spoke, rose to his feet at the mention
of Lincoln's name. He told us how the Presi-
dent had visited the Army Of the Potomac on
one occasion, of his standing on hill and
looking of across wide valley and over a
bright river to the further shore And on
that further shore lay the armies of Lee and
Jackson. And the President had come to urge
Mcclellan to attack these enemies of tho
Union. | shall never forget the few broken.
halting words with which he told of the tall
form, the sad, troubled face, the deep-set
mournful eyes, the intent gaze and all of that
dramatic scene.
Let US all make earnest effort on these
two days, yea, on all of the days, to measure
up to the example of these patriots. Let us
remember that the eyes of the entire world
are upon US, that all the hopes of human lin
erty and democracy are again centred in
American manhood, American soldiers and
American patriotism.
lhere IS, and will be, daily Increasing list
of deaths of American soldiers, bringing sor.
row to many homes and to the entire countrv
lhey have dedicated their lives to the cause
OF human liberty, American soldiers have
ever done' and while remembering this, lat us