The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-02-14

activities lsT0utS, washington ehiiS
them) OF the colonial capital before going 10
Mount Vernon to take up his career as master
Of that plantation and as prosperous Virginia
gentleman
The entries In his diary for February 70 In
both the wears 1863 and ITO are curiously aliRe.
Roth record the fact that he went to Court sat
Alexandria) and returnd Home Mount Vernon)
ST Night For February %, 1T75 the entry reads
aWent with Mrs Washington to Mr. Dlgges'and
nindn hut il this was birthday dinner III
honor of the man who was SO soon 10 De eieeteu
commander In chief of the Continental army the
brief entry In the diary gives no hint OF the iac'-
The next six years were TO be the most event
I'M In Washingtons life He w"nld repeatedly
taste the bitterness of heartbreaklng deleat anu
inter encouragement. llghtened only Dy occa-
siona, moments of well-deseryed success ana VIC
tory before Yorktown should bring the ultimate
triumph to his efforts In behalf OF MS country
No doubt some Of those moments OF brRh' hope
and black despair came to him on ms oiilhuas'
but II so there Is record OF his commenting
,,,on them in connection With the anniversary.
What was perhaps the irst Washins'uia
Birthday celebration" In our history-a nease'
ono abeit-took place during that time joan
{, FitznatrIck In his George Washington HIM
self-A Common Sense Biography Written From
His Manuscripts" published In 1888 by tne
pohbs Merrill company tells Of 1t as fooWs
.,rha army knew TINT he liked music ana thls
knowledge carried Procters artillery baha W
was nothing but drum and fife corps) tramplhg
through the ice and snow OF that dreary "il'el
In 1778 IN Valley Forge, to serenaue ther Nueh-
eral on his birthday. IT was gesture OF aiee-
tlon which brought the ragged musicians some
~ tho very few silver coins left In the purse OIL
the Commander nChef.
Three years later there was another ceieoi a
zion nv his comrades In arms, only this tune y
was inspired by foreigner, Count hochahpeau'
tho rrenchman He WAS In the habit OF nohorhis
the birthday Of his king and, as a grace'us ECO
tnre toward his allied commander orueieu
parade ef@fhe French troops ana the hllns ~ :
sn,nto IN February % How deeply Washington
harassed by the difficulties ana dscourasene',
uhteh immediately preceded the victory at YORK
ton.n annraciated this courtesy may be seen from
Tho ,ettar no wrote Rochamheau from New Ninu
cor. ,.rhe fattering distinction paid TO the ah''l
yarsarv If my birthday Is an honor TOT "hie
dare not attempt to express my gratiluue'
conade In your Excellencys senslbility 10 ih'e'
nret INV feelings for. this and for the oohKai
manner in which you are pleased 10 announee -
HIS great task ended AT the close OF the Kevoi'
zion Washington resigned his commission hl
retired to Mount Vernon, hoping TO spenu y
rast of his days as Virginia planter 1hhra
taristic of his simplicity and love for the soil
This entry In his diary during 1852 luesus'
February 22d Removed two pretty large a.
full grown Lllacs to the No. Garden gate, y,
nm each side, taking up as much dlrt WIN
roots as could well be obtained. aiso
moved from the Woods and old helus sever
vounq Trees of the Sassnfras, Dogwood ana TX
Ind "a the shrubbery on the No. side OF the gra