Evening star., 1927-02-22

stand and revere his true greatness.
No great mystery surrounds him: he
never relied on miracles. But he was
a man endowed with what has been
called uncommon common sense. with
tireleSs industry. with talent for
taking infinite pains, and with IL mind
able to understand the universal and
eternal problems of mankind.
"A recital of. his courage and
patriotism. his loyalty and devotion.
his self-sacrifice, his refusal to he
king, will always arouse the imagina-
tion and inspire the soul of every one
who loves his country. But he
has an appeal even broader than
this. Not many of our citi-
zens are to be called on TO take
office. As valuable ex-
ample to youth and TO matu
rity, the experience of Washington
in these directions is worthy of
much more attention than 1t has
received.
Share I'm Benefits.
We. all share In the benefits which
accrued from the independence he
won and the free Republic he die
so much to establish. We need
diligent comprehension and under
standing of the great principles of
government which he wrought out.
but we shall also secure 81 wide
practical advantage if we go beyond
this record and consider him
as man of affairs. 1t was in this field
that he developed that executive
ability which he later displayed in
the camp and in the council
chamber"
President Coolidge briefly traced
the early life of Washington-his
ancestry. his formal schooling and
his work as a surveyor at the age
OF IS. The President held up Wash
ington as a great agriculturist and
an astute business man, declaring
that the Nation owes its national
banks to his foresightedness. Wash
ington saw, too, he added, the time
when the newly born Nation would
reach beyond the mountains and en-
brace an empire.
''TIe was largely instrumental in
selecting the site for our National
Capital. Due TO the genius Of
L L'EnTasft. the great engineer. this
city from the first had magnificent
plan of development. It's adoption
was due in no small degree to the
ability of Washington. BY 1882 we
shall have made much progress toward
perfecting the ideal city planned by
him in the closing days of the
eighteenth century"
His Moral Character.
President Coolidge dwelt only
briefly upon the religious and moral
life Of Washington. which has been
subjected to criticism by certain
writer's recently. For Washington.
the President said. there was little
of emotionalism in religion: he
placed it on firmer and more sound
foundation. recognizing that religion
was the main support Of free insti-
tutions.
moral character, President Coolidge
simply quoted from his farewell ad.
dress, In which he said: "'Of all the
dispositions and habits which lead to
political prosperity, religion 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 firmest
props Of the duties Of men and citi-
zenS. -"
I'VE have seen many soldiers who
have left behind them little but the
memory of their conflicts President
Coolidge concluded, "but among all
the victors the power to establish
among great people a form Of self
government which the test of expert
ence has shown will endure was be-
slowed upon Washington, and Wash
ington alone. Many others have been
able to destroy. He was able to con-
struct. That he had around him
from his glory.
- -nIIis WAS the diracfirar, srairit With,