Milford chronicle., 1923-02-02
UNCLE TED'S
BEDTIME STORIES
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND
TODAY

but neither Uncle Ted or any of tn,
Oldest inhabitants could recall thu
TACT.
'eWow!" yelled Jack as he opened
the front door. "I'll say it's cold
Arent you afraid your car will freeze
up, Uncle Ted?'
mot now because I drained out all
the water. Wouldn't trust the anti
freeze"
Come on Uncle Ted and tell us q
story, cause mother said we had to sc
to bed early" said Ruth.
"All right" began Uncle Ted. 81
told YOU something last week about
Abraham Lincoln and I also said ]
would tell you something about George
Washington some other time. George
WashingtOn's birthday comes on Feb
ruary % and it should be an honored
dav wherever real Americans are
gathered. 1t is most timely to look
over his history now because he would
have had so much to say were he llv-
ing today regarding the European SIT
uation and the duty of the United
States.
"The chief hero of American indie
pendence and Father of His Country
was born in Virginia, February ~,
1892 When his father died, George
was only 10 years old. In 1747 he went
to Mount Vernon, which was then
owned b yhis half-brother Lawrence
where he had access to many BOOKS
and where Lawrence taught him the
use of arms and the art of war.
haven't time to go into the details OF
his life but you already know that he
married Martha Custis in 1853 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
successful farmer.
"When war with Great Britain be-
came necessary in April 1775-the
Continental Congress soon after un-
animously elected him Commander-in-
Chief of the American forces. That
war for independence was a long one
full of suffering and sacrifice. If we
would but study it more often we
would have a greater appreciation for
our country and there would be few
who would consider anything for
moment that might weaken the inde-
pendence gained at such cost.
after years of warfare and suffer-
ing by the colonists, Corvallis, the
British commander, surrendered to
Washington in October, 1881, and Am
erican independence was assured.
Washington was a strong and able
leader throughout the entire struggle
but 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 concern
ed. Washington was made president
of the Constitutional Convention in
1887 and shortly after was unanimous
ly elected our first president. In 1872
he was reelected. On December IA,
1899, he died at Mount Vernon.
'In several respects George Wash
ington was man of remarkable pow
er. He WIS o practical and successful
man of affairs and a leader of men. He |
was not brilliant as an orator but ne
lad wisdom and a fine appreciation OF |
right and wrong. His great ambition
was to do the best thing for his cOun-
try at all times. That is one reason |
why we must respect his judgment in |
all things end particularly his juds- |
+ment as to the attitude our govern
ment should take toward foreign |
countries.
"Let us look back upon the policies
and teachings of George Washington
and see what he would do were he
in the White House today In 1895 |
Washington left public life IN fa-
nous speech known as his Farewell
Address, 1t is n wonderful address
and you should both study it careful
" through the years to come. Wash
ington fresh from his contact with
foreign governments well knew the
pitfalls when he said:
Against the insidious wiles of
foreign influence the jealousy of a
free people ought to be constantly
awake; since history and EAPERl-
ENCE PROVE THAT FOREIGN IN
FLUENCE is ONE OF THE MOST
BANEFUL FOES OF REPUBLICAN
GOVERNMENT
Later he said:
The great rule of conduct for us
in regard to foreign nations, is, in
extending our commercial relations,
to have as little political connection
as possible. Europe has set
of primary interests, which to us
have none, or a very remote rela-
ton. Hence she must be engaged in
frequent controversies, the causes
of which are essentially foreign to Il
our concerns
"How well, kiddies, this applies and
holds true today. President Harding is
following the Washington policy-eX-
tending our friendly commercial re-
lations but keeping us free for politi-
ao1 oo,,,,oo+ioy,sV