Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-02-21
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The father OF his country-'FlrSt
in war, first in peace, and first in
the hearts of his countrymen."
George Washington was born on
February 22nd, 1892, on Bridges
Creek, Westmoreland county, Vir-
ginia, and died at Mount Vernon,
Virginia, December IA, 1899.
History does not record any early
evidence of future greatness. His
father impressed the mind Of his
son with the maXims of religion, vir-
tue and scrupulous love of truth.
We all, of course, have heard the
story OF the cherry tree. He left
school when he was fifteen and
went to Mount Vernon. at sixteen
he was a man in size, being six
feet and three inches in height and
about this time he was appointed as
surveyor of the Fairfax estate and
later public surveyor, which took
him to the, then, western frontier.
In 1853 he was appointed agent
to warn the French away from the
new posts on the Ohio river. He
headedness in this very trying and
dangerous position.
At the age of % he was defending
q frontier of $50 miles long with
only 700 men.
He married Martha GUSTS, a
wealthy widow. January 8, 1859,
and became one of the wealthiest
men in the Colonies. He was a
member of the Episcopal church.
Although he was slave owner
he was a very considerate master.
He was appointed as one of the
seven delegates to the first CONT
mental congress, which met at Phil
adelphia on the 5th of August,
1774.
In March, 1775. Washington was
appointed delegate from Virginia
10 the second Continental Congress,
which also convened in Philadelphia.
On January IS, 1775, George
Washington was unanimously Sc
lected commander-in-chi OF the
forces of the United Colonies.
He refused any salary, asked
only the reimbursement of his ex-
penses.
History tells us of the hard
ships he suffered during the year
1775, and it is unnecessary to go
into details as to the victories ac-
complished by his efforts.
We all devotedly prize the Dec
laration of Independence. adopted
July A, 1776, which George WASH
ington, as commander-in chief, was
called upon to defend and perpetu
ate. 1t is a curious coincidence that
the bell which was ruug on the Sth
day of July in celebration IT rne in
dependence measure bore the wrrds,
Proclaim liberty throughout all the
land unto all the inhab tants there
of ''-Neviticus ks. 40
definite treaty {. peace was
G., cluded September 8, 17S3.
thashingtcn's farewell address,
issued September II. 1893. is doc
nlient full of political wisdom and
larly at this time, be considered and
weighed very carefully.
He exhorted the people to Pre-
serve the Union; to refrain from
sectional feeling; to avoid over
grown military establishments,
which under any form OF govern
ment are inauspicious TO liberty; to
beware OF hasty changes OF the CON
stitution; to guard against the ex-
cess of party spirit; to maze religion
and morality the foundation of the
government; that good faith and
credit should be observed toward all
nations. but that the people should
be Instantly awake against the in
sidious wiles of foreign Influence
and that in regard to foreign ma
tons, the great rule should be that
in extending our commercial rela-
tions, to have With them as little po-
litical connection as possible"
In mentioning the interment of
Washington the Ulster County Ga
zette of January 4. 1909, has the
following tribute to the departed
patriot:
In the long and lofty portico,
where the hero walked IN all his
glory, now lay the shrouded corpse.
The countenance still composed and
serene, seemed to depress the dig
nifty of the spirit, which lately
dwelt in that lifeless form There
those who paid the last sad honors
to the benefactor of his country
took an impressive-a farewell
view"