Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-02-26
STORY OF THE KNIFE

;staE i5stt -----.-AAA tttsr -: - 80
Monday last Yas observed as a the
ANNIVERSARY of che birth Of George
Fs.shington. Exercises in connec-
ten with. the observation were hel held
;tsthe United States House Of Rep
resettatiyess among the speak
ais Vas Mr.. Monahan, Of Wisconsin,,
who told Of a. pleasant visit he and
ohhsr prominent in. che nation made
to- Alexandria about q year ago to
atsend reception. rendered the re-
;tAhaning soldiers, Of our city BY.
Alssandria- Washington g q q. Lodge Of
ssNdasons. In the course Of his re-
marks Mr.. Monafan said:
. "A delightful evening was spent
ns.which speech, song, and refresh
nents intermingled.
;@sWashington's lodge room is filled
W:th relics of the late Father Of
Hss Country, which the late Mr.,
lawrence Washington took prideius
delight in pointing out and explain
ing. X, 8 81,
siFEAnon1g others, he called the as
seinkly's attention. to- small pearl
handled knife ana gave its history.
He said that when Washington
was:Isa boy he attempted to enlist
NE the British Navy without IT,
Ehoxledge of his mother, and had 8
Ear succeeded that his clothes hal
Been Stakcn'' aboard the ship upon
Bfneh he was to sail.
saHis mother, learning what was
about to be done, went on board tn"
ship and secured his release, he
Being under age.
Washington, much grieved, showed
great disappointment and his mother
calling attention. to his disobedient
adt and the great pain it had caused
her, suddenly turned and presented
bin with this pearl handled knife.
asking him to. promise that when
ever again tempted to do an act
which he knew would not be ar
proved by her that he would take
ttfs Rifle from his pocket and think
ofsher befoTe deciding.
Washington took the knife am
cat-;ed it Until his death, more than
half : century.
The w.nter he Spent with his
Army at Valley Forge the American
da1se,wqs at its lowest ebb.
s,The American. Armies mad gon"
into winter quarters defeated.
S5tThere, was hunger and privaticn
and great physical suffering, not
ah!y Hin the Army. but throughout
ths sand. and the political enemies
df..ti,u great general We're urgia-
tliat Some man other than Washing
san. Sc given command of the Ar
3iies. 80
itsWashington called a counsel CT
hi4 generals, and in that dingy room
Sld tbem the burden was more
than i.lle could bear, and communica-
ted to them his intention to resign
: asrconlmander in chief.
!; One. of the officers, surmising that
this might happen, just prior to the
nIeat::hS being called to order bor-
RIVED from Washington the knife.
When Washington had finished
speaking an intense silence reigncd.
;!liG finally this officer arose. and
with tears in his eyes, after ,ra-
counting the story of the knife, said,
in effect: .zv :
-. Gen. Washington. your mother
has passed into the great unknown,
hut :he,4-spirit is here tonight.
s,"Your countrymen have selected
you>to lead the struggling hosts of
liberty in this war for existence.
BE as true to them as SOU were
torthe mother who: gave you birth.
and: thus" extending his hand.
holding the knife, "obey the orders
Of your. struggling countrymen as
Spu' gid the request Of your saintcd
mother land. fight on"
8.W3shington's eyes moved slowly
fSonl:; one to another of the men
gashefcd at. that counsel of war, yet
iifkswas evidert he did not see them.
Hisiface was tense and white and
s:r:ss;eSes had a faraway look as if
t3,taEsns of some one who was not
atssent = ~
x. EIae was undergoing the acid test.
,f.Fors;a short time he thus stood.
t!Rl Ibis features began. to relax.
i. sWithouts.a ,Tord he.Ereaehed out
hls-hand, took the knife. put it back
in.Ms pocket. and Yorktown followed
Valley Forge.
SSls.