South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-20
FEBRUARY 20, 1921
HISTORIAN HENRY CABOT LODGE AND
THE SPIRIT OF TRUTHFULNESS AS
EXEMPLIFlED IN WASHlNGTON'S
RATCHET AND CHERRY TREE.


We never exactly understood it before. until OBJ
serving his last two years in the United States
ate. why Historian Henry Cabot Lodge should have.
in his biography Of George Washington been so
digent his efforts dedolize his subject Every
school child has heard it:
George Washington. first in war. first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his country
men,
and they have come to know him as a general, a
statesman. and beloved by his fellowman, first for
his high sense Of honor, the dignity and glory with
which he crowned the colonies. and, lastly. perhaps
because "he could tell a lie
This latter appears 10 have rested rather heavily
the mind of Historian Lodge, in volume that
lies before US. he proceeds at great length to
denounce the cherry-tree story and old Parson
Weems. the author OF it. as a myth maker Ac-
cording to Lodge. the story 'hopelessy ridi-
culOusly false" and this is among his reasons:
''IIe was very exact in all business as well as
very shrewd at a bargain. And the tradition
is that his neighbors considered the general
formidable man in a horse trade; that most
difficult OF all transactions"
Now the point. Historian Lodge may have
anticipated the day when. as United States sena-
tor. it might be well to relieve the popular mind
Of too much insstence upon truthfulness. may
have been anticipating the world war and even
treaty of Paris which he might
want to emasculate, misrepresent, prevaricate
about. playing partisan politics with it, even
formidable at a horse trade, that most diff
cult OF transactions" proves himself "shrewd
at a bargain" Historian Lodge may have been try
ing to picture George Washington exemplifying
his forthcoming course, reckless with the truth;
may have been mixing salve for own con-
science.
OF course. the cherry tree story is 'hopelessIy
and ridiculousy false" literally, and we doubt if
many intelligent persons have for decades thought
it otherwise, any more than they have believed
in literal Santa Claus. However the Hteralists
have seldom moved the world very far forward,
while such myths as Santa and the Ratchet sym
boca Of everlasting truths, despite the efforts Of
the iconoclasts go marching on like truth itself
down the street ju you
Will find confectionery windowa everye 1ere blossom
ing with candied cherries. symbols of the approach
ing birthday Of the Father OF His Country.
And is the little Ratchet being sold IN many
varieties of colored cardboard?
And is not the dear Old story to be re-told in
every common school OF the land?
Old weems may have been fraud and the
cherry tree story a myth but what's the odds?
Likewise with those literalists who have been so
fnicky In procaiming the mythship of Santa Claus.
Despite them Santa Claus continues to flourish do
ing his good work annually and ignoring the critics
just there is a Christmas spirit SO there
is a Santa Claus-and just as sure and in the
spirit there was once a cherry tree, and
George Washington CHOPPED It down. later confess
ing truthfully 20 the deed.
Moreover, let destructive historians remember
this: Long after their dusty books are forgotten.
Parson Weems cherry tree story still will be set
before the youth OF the land Americas best
ample Of truth-tellng. Had Historian Lodge devoted
half the energy, and effort. and soulful application,
10 the realization of the Weems spirit involved in
that that he has 'rdicuzing' it, he would
not have dared to prevaricate as he has so fire.
quently during the past years-even back to the
time. If you please when the late Theodore Roose-
welt denominated him a member of his Ananias
club.