The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-02-25
SHAFER TELLS
WASHINGT0N'S
GREAT SERVICE
Acknowledgement Is Speaker
at Luncheon of KiWani3
Club Here
EVIEWS SERVIC E

George Washington, Kiwarian, was
a new light on the character of the
Father of his Country" as illustra-
ted by George Shafer in Kiwanis
club luncheon talk Tuesday.
The speaker recalled the scenes in
congress when the death of Wash
ington was Announced when that
body Immediately adjourned out Of
respect to the nations leader. and
Richard Henry Lee spontaneously
wrote the characterization, First in
War, First in Peace, First in the
Hearts of His Countrymen," phrase
that will last forever.
Mr.. Shafer stated that he did not
intend to discuss Washington's rec
ord as soldier, or a statesman but
wished to speak Of what are recog-
nized as kiwanian attributes-his de-
sire to serve-and to examine his
human qualities.
Washington was not a lawyer, not
an orator nor a speaker of note.
When he must make speech he pre-
pared and read it and was not even a
good reader. He did not have much
to say but was man Of deeds not
words. He believed in faction not
talk"
Washington was not u genius or
mental prodigy but slow thinker
But in military science he perhaps
nearest approached genius. Freder-
icl the Great is quoted as saying
that Washington was one of the
greatest commanders Of the world.
Washington was not scholar in
learning or in investigations. He was
not a graduate of academy, high
school or consolidated school but
early left the little one-room back
woods school with training in only
elementary subjects.
He was without the advantages of
the. time and was excclled by his
contemporaries - Franklin, Madison
Jefferson, with their record OF
achievement in letters, knowledge OF
the principles of constitutional gov.
eminent and law and science OF
law, but notwithstanding this, his
tory has placed him before all in his
clearness of thinking through stress
that clouds mems minds.
wrote to the generals of the army
spirit of service-the spirit inspiring
kiwanis. When he retired from tn
presidency he made the observation
that As years of his so years of life
mad been spent in public service.
Vision was one Of the striking
cause Of his success in public and
private life. Just as it had been the
cause Of success Of any organiza lion
The vision of Washington was cx-
emplified when he was chosen Ia
command the Continental Army a;
Boston. Though he had been an
Englishman and an ardent Virginian
when he assumed command in June
1873 he ceased to be Virginian and
became an American.
Many as intensely loyal did not
have the vision of an American
government-they had thought in
terms Of state but soon followers
gathered from all states and jealous
les were forgotten or buried through
the foresight Of Washington in con-
considering the colonies as a unit.
At the close of the war when the
JOY of victory and freedom was at
it's height Washington was reminded
fhak <ho o{ -, h1 fi,r
stcp-that the formation Of federal
union must be perfected if the fruits
Of victory were to remain, and he
to the generals of the army calling
calling attention to that need.
Mr.. Shafer pointed out as a
further attribute of Kiwanis the
quality of loyalty and patriotism
emphasized by the few of all time
who were both. 1t was recalled that
Jeff. Davis was loyal to the extreme
but his loyalty was to section. The
story was told of William Lloyd
Garrison, pronounced enemy of
slavery who publicly burned copy
of the Constitution because of a
single principle. Wendell Philips re-
fused to vote for 80 years-hc would
not acknowledge citizenship in ma
ton that countenanced slavery.
Upon the opening of the civil war
Robt. E. Lee was colonel of the
American Army. He did not believe
in slavery though he had slaves, and
did not believe the states should
scccde yet when Virginia left the
Union Lee took up the cause that was
lost. He gave up a loyalty will
vision for loyalty to a section. liz
was Virginian first and American
|afterward and went into conflic
that had for its purpose the more
firmly seating the practice o
slavery.
| Breadth Of vision and desire t.
| ;S& g - ~.