The Glenwood post., 1923-02-08
Uncle Tets Bed Time Stories
Current Events for the Children
and Grown-ups, Too
GEORGE WASHINGTON
AND TODAY

There may have been colder days,
but neither Uncle Ted or any Of the
oldest inhabitants could recall the fact.
"wow!" yelled Jack, as he opened
the front door. "IIl say it's cold.
Aren you afraid your car will freeze
up, Uncle Ted2
"Not now because I drained out all
the water. Wouldn't trust the anti
freeze"
"Cornc on, Uncle Ted, and tell us
story, cause mother said we had to go
to bed early,'' said Ruth.
"All right" began Uncle Ted. CT
told you something last week about
Abraham Lincoln and 7 also said I
would tell you something about George
Washington some other time. George
Washington IS birthday comes on Feb
ruary % and it should be an honored
day wherever real Americans are gath
cred II is most timely to look over
his history now because he would have
had so much to say were he living to-
day regarding the European situation
and the duty of the United States.
"'The chief hero of American inde-
pendence and Father of His Country
was born in Virginia, February ss, 1922.
When his father died George was only
10 years old. In 1747 he went to Mount
Vernon, which was then owned by his
half-brother, Lawrence, where he had
access to many books and where Law
renee taught him the use of arms and
the art of war 7 haven It time to go
into the details of his life, but you
already know that he married Martha
Custis in 1859 and settled down at
Mount Vernon, then his property
through the death of both Lawrence
and Georges niece. He soon became
rich; as wealth was measured in those
days, and was a successful farmer.
"When war with Great Britain be-
came necessary in April, IT'S, the Con-
tinental congress soon after unanimous
" elected him commander-in-ch of
the American forces. That war for in.
dependence was long one full of suf-
fering and sacrifice. If we would but
study il more often we would have a
greater appreciation for our country
and there would be few who would
consider anything for a moment that
might weaken the independence gained
at such cost.
"After years of warfare and suffer
ing by the colonists, CORVALLIS, the
British commander, surrendered to
Washington in October, 17s1, and
American independence was assured
Washington was a strong and able lead
er throughout the entire struggle, bu.
he refused to become king, as many
of his followers wanted. That, to me
is the outstanding incident in his whole
life, So far as we are concerned. Wash.
ington was made president of the Con-
stitutional convention in 1877 and short
ly after was unanimously elected our
first pres dent. In 1892 he was re.
elected. On December "A, 1893, he
died at Mount Vernon.
''In several respects George Wash
ington was man of remarkable power,
He was a practical and successful man
of affairs and a leader of men. He
was not brilliant as an orator, but he
had wisdom and fine appreciation of
right and wrong. His great ambition
was to do the best thing for his country
at all times. That is one reason why
we must respect his judgment in all
things and particularly his judgment
as to the attitude our government should
take toward foreign countries.
Let us look back upon the policies
and teachings of George Washington
the white House today. In 1896
Washington left public life in a famous
speech known as his Farewell Ad-
dress. 1t is a Wonderful address and
you should both study it carefully
through the years to come. Washing
ton, fresh from his contact with foreign
governments, well knew the pitfalls
when he said:
"Against the insidious wiles of