Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1918-02-14

ment Oh 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 the common good For
that he gave his time and strength unstntedly.
Throughout his career the one reward he
sought was that he might partake, "in 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 cere-
monies, was in the best sense 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 and energies to
that end.
That they might have Them he not only
pended freely his energies Of mind and body but
he constantly exhorted his fellow countrymen to
prepare themselves for the high destiny that he
foresaw for this country, first by raising and
equippng adequate army, task that fire.
Quently hung leaden on his hands, and, secondly,
by properly safeguarding their rights after they
had been won.
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 trgonometry. 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,
his carefully kept notebooks attest. He mani
Tested special aptitude for surveying and for
military affairs This taste led to his having a
royal mddys warrant. obtained for him when he
was fourteen years old and only because Of his
mothers reluctance to have him 60 to England
was he 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 5ob-as n surveyor. II was
a good one, too. for Lord Fairfax, having noted
the lads mental equipment and his intrepidity,
gave him commission to survey his wild acres in
the Shenandoah valley So well did Washington
accomplish the arduous task that he was made a
public surveyor. Almost coincident with his en-
identified himself with public interests Fond Of
athletics and sports, well Of military affairs,
he Joined the local militia. and when nineteen
years old made major.
When he still in his twentes he won his
first colonelcy in his gallant but disastrous first
campaign against the French. 1t there
that he first tasted the bitter fruits Of unprepared
ness.
When Washington went to Philadelphia
member Of the Second Continental congress he
wore his provincial uniform, instructive ex-
preston of his feeling in regard to the crisis that
was to come-n its way fulfment Of prophecy
for during the session he put at the head
Of the irregular army near Boston. He found
tf,st army, not only without discipline and equip
ment but without powder. Men who had enlisted
only for few months away. Washington
ardently appealed to the continental and pro-
vincial congresses to provide for longer enlist