Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-19

to the club greetings from Rotarian
F. B. Purinton who is now in Flor
ida and expects to return in about
10 days.
Three Minute Speakers
In a series of concise and enlight-
ening speeches the real greatness OF
George Washington was emphasized
by Rotarians, and these talks right
to the point were of especial merit
and particularly pleasing.
Rotarian Wilbert s. Wilson speak
ing on washington as a Statesman
showed that the greatness of WASH
ington was revealed in the incident
when French soldiers in Paris and
British ships paid tribute to that
American leader. He stated that in
these days, when great progress has
been made in all lines, Washington
would still stand out as a great
leader.
Col. Francis Farnum, U. S. army,
took for his subject washington as a
General" He stated that Washing
tons biggest battles were against
Congress, to get the support to carry
out his missions and to bring a victo-
ry. He dwelt for few moments on
the difficulties that Washington had in
securing men and supplies. He stat
ed that the matters of arms and the
support of the army, the matter of the
draft and the matter of the drafted
men serving for the length of the war
were important factors in the Allies
victory in the World War. Washing
ton, in his day, did not have this
hearty support and men that were
drafted then sometimes served only
two or three months. Washington's
attitude was summed up in his own
words in one of the letters he had
in my situation, his memory wouldn't
have been so famous for patience"
Washingtons success in the face of
such difficulties showed his greatness.
Washington as a man" was the
subject of the talk given by Rotarian
Clarence p. Quimby. After making
one or two humorous and witty allu-
sions he told that Washington worked
his own way and was man of decided
opinions, that Washington on his
death-bed wanted to know his condi-
ton and counted his pulse, and then
announced that he was going to die.
The speaker stated that it has been
said that Washington was an aristo-
crat. and yet he had men beside him
who were not Of the upper class and
he was the first to bring leggings and
rough woodsmen's shirts into the army
for the soldiers.
The next Speaker was DR.. Edward
A. OFT, a member of the Monica, ILL.,,
Rotary Club. who spoke in the Augusta
Entertainment Course later in the eve
ming at City hall and made a big i'm
preston upon his audience. He stated
that in no higher way could the Rota-
ry Club honor itself than by honoring
him who first exemplified in American
history the motto of Rotary: HE
profits most who serves best" Wash
ington became president because he
first served his country and he was
elected because he was first in the
hearts Of his countrymen. He was de-
MED the privilege of learning the
technique of war; but his character
gave him the technique of manliness
as a standard. The speaker drew in
words the picture of Washington with
only 5000 men left and those men rag
ged and with, spirits at low tide. They
were the last hope of American lib
erty. There was the man who did not
finch and made the other men remem-
Der what the true course was. Yet in
the history of the United States there
have been only two presidents who
have gone to Valley Forge. only one
other besides General Washington
who has made a pilgrimage to the
spot. The speaker then presented a
toast to the Father of our Country
Each of the speakers of the evening
was accorded hearty applause and the
entire session was most successful
A rising vote of thanks was extended
to the entertainment committee in
charge of the Washington's Birthday
program and decorations, the commit
tee consisting of Wallace Manning,
John McIlroy and Warren Malcolm.
The meeting was closed with the
singing of America