The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1920-04-28

essays written by school children on
the subject, George Washington and
America First" More than six thous-
and essays were contributed to the
contest All the High Schools in New
York City, Public, Hebrew and Cath
Ollie were among the contestants.
Many from other Eastern States. The
judges were the Superintendent of
Public Schools, Brooklyn; Managing
Editor New York American; and the
Brother Visitor of the Christian Bro
Tiers, New York City.
Pupils. of St Romauld's school.
Hardinsburg, KY, were among the
contestants and the judges awarded
two of the one hundred prizes to
Misses Lucille Jarboe and Annorah
Sheeran.
The following essay by Miss Lucille
Jarboe was judged the thirteenth best
essay received by the worthy gentle
men who acted as judges in the New
York contest. The same essay also
won the first prize in a similar con-
test in St. Louis
George Washington
And America First"
I'm these anxious days of chaos and
disorder, many voices are borne on
the veering winds of conflicting popu-
lar opinion. Counsel is needed and
nowhere may it be more safely sought
and more richly found, than in the life
and writings of our first President,
the soldier and statesman to whose
wisdom and integrity this Republic
is a monument.
There have been in the world men
of more powerful genius. .mightier
conquerors than Washington. yet,
shall we not say with perfect assur-
ance, that in integrity, disinterested-
ness and patriotism he seems to stand
alone. truly worthy of the eter-
nal gratitude of Americans, whose in
dependence he secured by his military
achievements, whose national strength
he increased by his political wisdom,
and whose prosperity he so success
fully promoted by his undated zeal
and the vast influence of his moral
character. He is truly deserving of
being forever called the Father of
, his Country that immortal epithet
which will go down throughout ages
for Washington was not the idol of
live, not alone in the pages of his
tory, but in the cherished traditions
associated with the progress and life
of that idea embodied in our Consti-
tuition.
Washington and Liberty The one
word calls up the other and the dual
association evokes memories and stirs
our patriotism.
I'VE first see manifested in young
Washington during the French and
Indian War, those peerless qualities
of leader which were to become SC
powerful in the war of American In,
dependence, when he was called BY
his country to control the destinies
of the unorganized mass of men who
composed the American army.
All Nations Affected
The Revolutionary War was ar
event of moment, affecting the des
TIMES of all nations. The question tc
be decided by the conflict was
Whether the English colonies il
America, becoming sovereign, should
govern themselves or still be subject
to England.
THE leading American patriots. fal
from suffering themselves to be De,
jected by the gloomy state of their
affairs, without wavering expressed
their determine ton to carry on III,
struggle 1T ell hazards, rather thar
ever return under British sub ;ectio On
The struggle was long and dis
tressing, but the result has been the
grandest and most promising exampl,
OF republican government in the his
tory of the world
THE achievements of Washington
and his brave soldiers during the try
ing days of the Revolutionary Wa
won the admiration and sympathy o
practically all Europe From France
Germany and down-trodden PolanC
came noble men offering to assis
the Americans in resisting the tyran
nical rule of proud England. France
sent a fleet and pecuniary aid anC
friedrich the Great of Prussia sale
openly that he hoped the Americans
would win.
First in War and Peace.
THE war ended; Washington re
tired to his quiet home at Noun
Vernon to enjoy well-earned rest
but as he had been first in war tn,
nation would make him first in peace
and he was called by the entire nation
to become President of a people who
could say he is first in the hearts o
his countrymenp
During Washngton's administra
ton his principle America First,
which had shown so conspicuousl,
throughout his previous life. was pu
to the severest test. France for whom
the American people had a grateful
affection was in war with America
worst enemy, England. And naturally
the American people wished to aiC
France in return for the services sh'
had rendered to them. But Washing
ton sacrificed friendship for his prin
ciple. America First and set an ex
ample to the succeeding President
of neutrality in foreign affairs.
Warns Against Foreign Relations.
I'm Washington's Farewell Address
he warns against relations with for
eign government by these words