Evening star., 1926-12-14


lean history, particularly as it applies
to George Washington. is planned
during the next five years by the ma
tional committee to commemorate
Washingten's 2o0th birthday ami
Versary in 1882.
The first national meeting was held
at the Cosmos Club yesterday with
Col. John A. Stewart of New YORK,
chairman Of the committee, presiding
Most of the members today motored
to Fredericksburg, Va. with the Ru
manian Minister and his ~ uSnler.
who placed b wreath on the tomb OF
Mary Washington, mother Of the first
President. Queen Marie had intended
to deposit this wreath, but was unable
to do so because of the abrupt termi'
nation of her American visit.
Luncheon was served the party at
the Fredericksburg Country Club,
after which they visited Kenmore, the
home of Washington's sister.
MAKE America the host of the
world in 1882" was the slogan adopt
ed By the committee. Both natlonai
and international celebrations are
planned and President Coolidge may
be asked to issue a proclamation to
the various nations inviting them to
participate IN the observance.
s Washington still Unknown.
But in the meantime, said Col.
Stewart, the first essential is to show
the United States and the world just
who Washington was. The great
Virginian, says the committee chair
man, still is largely an unknown fig
ure, even In his own country.
Generations of schooiboys, sickened
at the cold statue of q man presented
to them in their text books, came to
regard him as a sort Of sissy. 1t was
declared. The revolt from this at
titude has resulted in something even
more obnoxious-pictures of him as
a rake, gambler and tippler.
The efforts of the committee Will
be directed to correcting both these
impressions. They wish to snow
Washington as one of the greatest
men who ever lived, but still a thor
oughly human being, a great states
man and soldier who was not afraid
to soil his shirt in wrestling matcn.
The basic step in this direction will
be to obtain every scrap or available
data on his life. Negotiations VIII pe
opened soon with the governments OF
Great Britain, France and Holland to
permit a search Of their archives,
under the direction of native scholars.
for such papers as deal with Wash
'ington. There is probably a vast
quantity OF these, Col. Stewart be-
ljeyes. which never have seen the
light and which will throw invaluable
sidelights on the history of the
American Revolution and Washing
toms two terms as President.
so.oop Papers Believed Written.
Steps also will be taken for
more thorough search of American
archives, which must be rich IN
Washingtoniana that has never come
into the hands Of historians. 1t is
likely, Col. Stewart holds, that Wash
ington must have issued at least
10000 Army orders. executive ORDERS
offcial letters, state papers ana so
forth. only about 1000 of which ever
nave been published. The rest of
them still are packed away some
where, waiting for the competent
historian with interest to examine
them. Many Of them. Col. Stewart
saws. DOUBTLESS viii prove purely rou-
tine papers, btit others will be fulI
of suggestions, character hints and
isolated facts from which "a better
picture of Washington and a more
accurate story of his times can Do
built up.
A third step will be to obtain access
to the family records of several Vir'
gtnia families which are rich in Wash
iEgton lore. At least one OF these
families already has consented TO
allow qualified students TO examine
The fourth and most promising
step is to obtain the cooperation
of county historical societies al
over the United States but par
ticularly in the original colonies
These societies will be asked u
prepare purely local histories to be
taught In the schools during stated
terms, In which particular stress will
be placed on any contact Washington
MAY have had with local dignitaFies.
The general travelled widely and car
ried on o great deal Of correspondence
with acquaintances throughout the
colonies.
Would Create New Interest.
The committee believes, Col.
Stewart says, that this not only viii
bring to light much buried data Q
Washington but will create a new In
terest in early American history. Boys
and girls will get better perspective
on Princeton and Brandywine through
the telescope OF the skirmish that
happened in their own county.
The committee seeks by these
studies to present q broader Wash
ington. There was hardly q line of
human endeavor In which the man
was not interested. according to Col.
Stewart, and in not few Of these
lines he was a prominent figure. He
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