Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-18
The HlSkin Letter
By
J. S
MEMORIAL FOR HISTORIC CROSSING

tit is suggested also that monuments.
busts. or tablets be erected Of men and
women who have contributed notably
toward the welfare of the nation by
their services in military or civic pur-
suits.
Funds for the project will come
largely from the federal treasury. from
the several states and from the nu-
merous organizations Of the character
mentioned, but individual citizens will
be offered an opportunity to make vol
! untary contributions. This is proposed
through the formation Of a Washing
toms Crossing National Park associa-
ton, life memberships in whcih may
be secured by contributing sums of 81
or more.
1--WE are approaching a period of
celebration said Mr.. Hammitt, in dis
cussing this phase of the project,
(which will extend for many years
and continually remind the American
people of the struggle for liberty.
They will bring to mind the price paid,
which will doubtless result in inspiring
more fervent patriotism throughout the
land and in making people more anx-
iOus to visit such an historical spot
as Washington's Crossing.
PhIIadsiphia's Celebration
THE Sesquicentennial at Philadel-
phia will bring to that city and to this
section millions Of patriotic citizens
from all parts of the country, many of
whom will wish to see Washington's
lCrossing. Less than five years are left
for the great task of putting this
park in the condition it then should be-"
It is understood that a well or
ganized campaign will be carried on to
arouse popular interest in the memo
rial. Congress will be asked for an ap-
preparation to carry out the plan pro-
posed for the governments participa-
ton. and appeals will likewise be made
to the legislatures of the various states.
Many historians are of the opinion
that when Washington and his forces
crossed the Delaware on Christmas
day. 1778. the turning point in the
Revolutionary war was reached. After
forcing the British to evacuate Boston
early in that year the American leader
fastened with his army to New York:
where it was expected the enemy would
strike next. Congress urged him TO
hold the city at all hazards, and against
his better judgment Washington at
tempted what was an impossible task.
Disaster resulted and the war might
have been ended then and there if the
British commander had been awake to
his opportunity.
Then followed the retreat through
| New Jersey, in which the character of
| Washington was tested to the tmost.
His generals grew insubordinate. his
men deserted by whole companies,
thousands of people throughout the
Jerseys took the oath Of allegiance
to George III. and everywhere there
were murmurs of discomfort and dis
heartenment. Barely 1900 men an
swered 10 roll call when the army
reached the far side of the Delaware,
| not only to hold that number together,
but to add as many more. He was
compelled to resort to extraordinary
measures. and in explaining these. he
wrote to congress: "A character TO
lose. an estate to forfeit. the inestim-
| able blessing of liberty at stake. and a
life devoted must be my excuse"
/ Before the holidays the great Ameri-
! can was ready to strike a blow for lib
erty and for his own vindication. Cross
ing the Delaware December %. IN spite
of pitchy darkness and grinding ice.
he marched his army nine miles through
a sIepting storm TO Trenton. where ne
surprised the Hessians. Almost n
thousand prisoners were captured ana
taken to the other side of the river.
and then Washington crossed again TO
| win another victory at Princeton. Inc
entire situation was thus reversed.
Triumph had succeeded disaster. The
wretched retreat was forgotten or con-
| sidered only the preliminary to the
! startling and brilliant victories which
commanded the respect of England and
all Europe and renewed the confidence
of Americans in their leader.
For q year and a half afterward the
ColoniaIs met with almost constant
Ireverses and misfortunes but the genius
| that led Washington to his master
| stroke in crossing the Delaware was
never forgotten and its moral effect
was never lost.