The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-11-18
High Tribute Paid BY Pres
ident. Harding
new VICTORY MEMORIAL
Cornerstone Laying For Costly
Structure In Washington
Held Today
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l


when 1t was rebuilt more than one
hundred years ago. will officiate today
at the laying Of the cornerstone for
the new Victory Memorial here.
The structure Is to be erected on
plot OF Sixth and b. streets, north
west, q few blocks from the capitol
which was given by congress for the
purpose. Its final cost, according to
estimates, will be $10,0O0,000 OF which
more than $1,000, 600 already had been
raised.
Speakers of the occasion will in
Pershing and Admiral Coontz, chief OF
naval operations. Bishop Alfred Hard :.
ing will pronounce the invocation and
the Right Rev. c. F. Thomas, the BEN
ediction. A number of visiting diplo-
mats, as we'll as delegates from those
on duty here, and officials Of the gov
eminent are expected to be present.
Address Of President.
Speaking today at the exercises at
tending the laying Of the cornerstone
President Harding dedicated the
structure as gathering place for
Americans" where American minds
begin the fulfillment Of one Of the
striking provisions Of the last will OF
George Washington which set aside a
beQuest for the founding Of IAN insti-
tuition to disseminate learning, cul-
ture and proper understanding OF
right principles in government"
The presidents address was given
largely to an analysis of the less we'll
known attributes of the first presi-
dent which, he said, made Washington
ION his private and personal side, a
very model Of good citizenship"
1T is an impressive fact" Mr.. Hard
ing said, worthy Of our especial
since Washington became the leader,
the heart and soul, of its struggle for
independence and unity, this nation
has so many times found occasions to
record devotion to the precepts which
he laid down for its guidance. So to-
day, after more than century's de-
lay, we are come to pay tribute to the
foresight which first encouraged and
endowed the institution here estab-
fish d-an institution which is to be
alike monument to those who sacri-
fced in a noble cause, and beacon
to shed affair the light of useful knowl-
edge and grateful understanding
Our Studies Of Washington. =
1t has seemed to me that our stud
les of Washington have been too much
from those public sides from which
we view him as the military chef. the
inspired leader Of the colonies, the
statesman and guide Of constitution
making times, the welding force which
hammered fragments of communities
into a great nation; as the first presi-
dent; and as the author of that body
of domestic and foreign policies which
he bequeathed in his farewell ad :
nrQqQ I ha "a
on the one side Washington was the
great personal force that wrenched
apart the two chief branches of the
English speaking race, he was, on the
other, the greatest personal factor in
saving this continent to Anglo Saxon
denomination; and in doing that he
contributed very greatly to making to
possible the wide flung family of Eng
lish speaking nations. If as leader
OF the revolving colonies in '76, this
time aided by France, he tore them
from the grasp of England, it is equal
had saved them from the possible
domination of France. / am sure that
today our faithful friends and trusted
allies of France and England alike
would agree that in both cases, view
ed In the light of subsequent events.
he served mankind well.
WashinGton's Last Will.
But among the documents which
attest wisdom, there is one to which
little study has been given. I mean
his last will and testament. On an
occasion such as brings us here today
1t is not inappropriate to direct at
tentlon for few moments to this re-
markable instrument. -
washington was not only a great
soldier and great statesman; he was
also man Of great business affairs,
and an eminent humanitarian. Prov
ideut and always methodical, he amaz
ed fortune, which has been rated by
many as the greatest of, his time II,
all the country. But plainly IL was
not his belief that society is best
served by the transmission from gen
GRAFTON to generation Of such impos-
ing aggregates Of wealth. Therefore
his will, after devising minor and
largely sentimental requests to many
relatives and friends, directed that
the residuary estate should be divided
into twenty three equal shares, to be
distributed among the heirs whom he
named. Thus 1t comes about that an
estate, which, II held together and
wisely administered, might have be-
come very large, was deliberately sc
distributed that In q few years its en-
tity was gone and its portions had
been absorbed into the general body
Of the country's wealth. That process
OF disintegration and absorption in
yolved some loss but 1t 10 probable
that In the sum Of results the nation
was gained by the policy of Washing.
ton.
All the World Needs Example.
Washington az a model citizen
shines forth with a peculiar radiance
from this last testament. The first
provision is that his debts shall be
paid promptly. All the world needs
the example Of kept obligations. The
second item makes generous provision
for his wife; and then comes the d.
rection at her death all his slaves
shall be given freedom.
Next follow desires of funds to aid
education Of poor or orphaned chill
dren, and for the endowment of 9
university in central part Of the Unit
cd States. Another specific bequesi
goes to Liberty Hall Academy, now
Washington and Lee university oil
Lexington, Va. A list OF debtors are
forgiven their debts. To each Of Ave
nephews he gave one OF his swords
with an injunction not to unsheath
them for the purpose Of shedding blood