The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-02-14

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
tca for which he fought and which he helped
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
them. but to work with them. contributing as his
part In the struggle his military genius and
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, "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, 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 ex-
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
equipping an adequate army, task that IRE
quently hung leaden on his hands, and. secondly.
by properly safeguarding their rights after tney
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 MS
his carefully kept notebooks attest He mani
Tested n special aptitude for surveying and for
military affairs. This taste led to his having
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 few months
when he got his first job-as a surveyor. 1t was
a 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
accomplish the arduous task that he was made
pubic' surveyor Almost coincident with his en-
trance upon a private career young washington
identified himself with public interests. Fond OF
athletics and sporNs as well as of military afairs.
he Joined the local militia, and when nineteen
years old made major.
When he was still in his twenties he won his
nrst colonelcy in his gallant but disastrous. first
campaign against the French IL was there
that he first tasted bitter fruits of unprepared-
When Washington went to Philadelphia as a
member of the Second Continental congress he
wore his provincial uniform, an instructive e4-
preston of his feeling in regard to the crisis ta
was to cOme-in its way a fulfllment OF prophec!
for during the session he was put at the head
of the Irregular army near Boston. ne iouhu
that army not only without discipline and equip
ment but without powder. Men VINO nad en'is.eu
only for few months away. Washington
arfently appealed to the continental and pro-
Nlincial congresses to provide for longer ehhst-