Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-23
TEXT OF PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
BEFORE N. E. A. CONVENTION HERE

l
education around him was still un'
developed. Newspapers were almost
unknown in the New World ana
ner1nanent and regular lines OF trans
portatton did not exist. About the
only regular visitors to his Colony
were foreign tobacco traders, dealers
in fur and peddlers. The clergy were
almost the only professional cIass;
The people were very largely eheaseo
in agriculture.
At the early age Of 8, however,
Washington was placed under the IN
struction of tutor, who seems 10
have confined his teaching to the most
rudimentary subjects. When ne was
IL another man took charge OF MS
education and began to instruct MIN
In the fundamentals OF the forms OF
business. Some Of his copy DOCKS ol
that day still are in existence. Ihere
is evidence that he was taught some
Latin, but his preliminary education
was virtually completed when he was
IL wears old. Paul Leicester Ford
says that:
"The end of washington's school
! days left him a good cipherer, PAD
| speller, and a still worse grammariah;
but fortunately the termination OF IN.
struction did not by any means emo
his education"
| Studied Surveying.
After this he studied surveying and
| pursued that occupation for several
years. This was an exacting calling,
| training him in accuracy. But when
he was Is he came into close contact
| with Lord Fairfax, q cultured gentle
man Of 60 years, who had consider
able library. His diaries OF that Pc
Rod show him reading English history
| and essays in the Spectator. But
| these early opportunities constituted
only the beginning Of his education.
which he continued In one form or
another almost to the end OF his days
| His experience, his power OF observa-
ton and absorption finally overcome
this lack Of early training, so that in
| his later days his writings. correct in
| form and taste, adequately revealed
the great strength Of character which
he had developed.
| Perhaps because Of his own early
experience he was the more soltcttous
for the members of his family. To
one who was charged with the care OF
John Washington he wrote as follows:
I'm respect to the kinds and manner
Of his study / leave 1t wholly to your
better judgment. Had he begun, or
rather pursued, his study of the Greek
language, / should have thought 1t no
bad acquisition, but whether If he ac-
Quire this now he may not fOrego
some useful branches of learning is a
matter worthy of consideration. To
be acquainted with the French tongue
is become part of polite education. and
to a man who has the prospect Of
| mixing in a large circle, absolutely
necessary. Without arithmetic, the
common affairs Of life are not to be
managed with success. The study OF
geometry and mathematics with due
regard to the limits of it, is equally
advantageous. The principles of phi
losophy, morals. ETC., l should think q
very desirable knowledge for a gentle
man"
His practical interest in education
in his later life was further manifest
| by his accepting the position of a
chancellor of William and Mary Col
lege in 1888.
Was Religious Confor1nist.
In religion he confor1ned to the
practice Of his time. It is related
that he was baptized when 2 months
old and probably attended church reg
ularly until he was IL. From that
time until 1859 he was largely en-
gagged in expeditions. After his mar
riage and settlement at Mount Yer
non he was made vestryman in two
parishes, for one Of which he was in
While he was not a constant church
| attendant, he was constant con-
| tributor and always gave respectful
| consideration to the religious beliefs
| of others. He was tolerant in all
things.
The mature opinion Of Washington
upon the importance of the intelleo-
tual. moral and religious forces Of the
Nation is not only revealed by his &C.
tons but is clearly set forth in his
statements. He looked upon these at
tributes as the foundation which sup
ported the institutions Of our republic.
| This opinion was most forcibly ex.
pressed in his farewell address, where
he said:
"Of all the dispositions and habits
which lead to political prosperity, re-
ligion and morality are indispensable
supports. In vain would that man
claim the tribute of patriotism who
should labor to subvert these great
pillars Of human happiness, these
frmest props Of the duties of men and
citizens. The mere politician, equally
with the pious man, ought to respect
and to cherish them. A volume could
not trace all their connections with
private and public felicity. Let It
simply be asked, where Is the security
for property, for reputation, for life,
If the sense Of religious obligation de-
sert the oaths. which are the instru.
justice? And let us with caution in
dulge the supposition that morality
can be maintained without religion.
Praised Religion.
| whatever may be conceded to the
influence of refined education on
minds Of peculiar structure, reason
and experience both forbid us to ex-
pect that national morality can pre-.
vail in exclusion of religious prin-
| ciple. IT'S substantially true that
spring OF popular government. The
rule, indeed, extends with more or
less force to every species Of free
government. Who that Is q sincere
friend to it can look with Indifference
upon attempts to shake the founda,
ton of the fabric?"
| The policies of Washington ALWAYS
had national outlook. He warned
his country against sectionalism. He
promoted internal improvements cal
culated to bring together different
parts or the Nation. When he came
to the consideration of the problem Of
training the youth Of the country he
was not only in favor Of education
Tor its own sake, but sought to make
, 1t contribute to the national spirit.
Believing thoroughly in American
ideals and In the American Union, it
early occurred to him that national
university would be beneficial both by
the power 1t would have to present
the principles on which the republic
was rounded and the power it would
have to resist provincialism by creat.
ing forum for the exchange OF ideals
through q student hodu dra mn f-o...