Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1920-02-26
NEE FOR LOOKING
AFTER OUR AFFAIRS
MIGHT BE WELL FOR ADMINS
TRATION TO FOLLOW STEPS
OE GEORGE WASHINGTON

home from the movies, there is
nothing that I could tell you about
tonight that would be more in keep
ing with this month than to tell you
something about the father of our
country, George Washington. You
see the month of February is one
of the most important months in the
history of our country. We cele-
brate the birthday of Abraham Lin
coin on the 18th of this month and
that of George Washington on the
22nd."
when was George Washington
born?" asked Ruth.
THAT is a date every child should
learn and remember, Ruth" answer
ed Uncle Ted. "He was born on
February %, 1872, and IL he could
have been one hundred and eighty
eight years old. His birthplace
was known as Bridges Creek, in
Westmoreland county, Virginia
Not a great deal is known of his
early life. His education was of
the most meager sort and the nature
Of the country in those early days
made it necessary for him to take
care of himself to a great degree.
We know that he was a good sur
veyor. that is a man who measures
land with certain instruments and
he enjoyed his work and found in
it way to make enough money to
take care of his living expenses
You both know that he was a great
soldier. You know he warned
the British Consul General, Gener-
al Braddock in the battles with the
Indians and how the general was
killed with many of his men because
he refused to follow Washington
advice. am going to skip over the
many great things he did as a soldier
especially those clever things he ac-
complished during the revolution
and show how important were the
lessons he taught while president
Those lessons were important in
the early days of our country's his
tory but they are even more import
ant today.
"Washington's name, character
and influence have grown immensely
as the result of the war with Ger
many. The things he did and said
have become almost as well estab-
lished and as important in the af-
fairs of our country as the Declara-
tion of Independence or the Consti-
tuition. Being the first president of
the United States he had none to fol-
low. He could not stoop and say
to himself when hard problem
faced him, Now how did President
so-and-so do this?' There had
been no other presidents and he had
IN h1azo tho trail alnpa Tor no
reason the things he did are of the
greatest Importance because he was
the head of the head of the nation
after great war, which makes the
situation similar to that which con-
fronts our nation today. While he
had a strong will he had a keen
sense for what was just a cool brain
and sound business head and after
he had served in the presidential
chair for two terms he declined to
serve third"
when did he give his farewell
address," asked Jack.
1T am coming to that" said IN
Gle Ted. "It was in the farewell
address delivered on September IT,
\ 1895, that Washington gave to the
people of that day and all days to
follow in these United States, the
lessons which he learned while
president and the things he knew
must be done of our country is to
keep its important place in the
world. The most important lesson
which he brought home in this ad-
dress was a warning against getting
the United States entangled with
European nations. That warning is
more important today than it was
in the days of Washington and for
that reason Washington should and
must live stronger in the hearts Of
men today than ever. When GER
| tain men have tried and are still
! trying to join this country in club
with the nations of Europe so that
the very power of our own govern
ment will come second to every
other country in the world. it is GER
tainly time to stop and listen to
Washington's words on this subject.
| Against The insidious wiles of for
eign influence the jealousy Of a free
people ought to constantly awake;
since history and experience prove
that foreign influence is one OF the
most baneful foes of republican gov
L OIL IhOoC NCIt his uTSl WOIuS
on the subject. He says that we
must keep awake to the fact that Eu-
rope is looking out for herself first
and that the things she tries to do to
tie us with her are the greatest enc
mics of "a republican government
Since our government is "a republic
can government he of course, refers
to the United States. He goes on,
But that jealousy meaning the
jealousy Of people like ours. to be
useful, must be impartial: else il be-
comes the instrument of the very in
fluence to be avoided instead of de-
Tense against 1t. Excessive parHal-
ity for one foreign nation. and excess
sive dislike for another, cause those
whom they actuate 10 see danger on
ly on one side, and serve to veil, and
even second, the arts of influence on
the other
But probably the greatest state
ment of all in this address was the
| following. so far as II applies to con-
ditions today. The great rule of
conduct for us, in regard to foreign
nations is, in extending our CONNER
cial relations, to have with them as
little political connection as possible.
So far as we have already formed en-
gagements let them be fulfilled with
perfect good faith. Here let US
STOP That statement is very plain.
He simply says that we must not mix
International politics with our inter-
national trade, II is all right and
necessary to do business with for
eign nations but we must not make
alliances that would mean tying our
selves to act when and how they
might want. That applies directly
to the world club plan.
"He knew that Europe is always
/ and ALWAYS will link after har own