The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-02-22
WASHINGTON. THE GREAT LEADER.

Again the nation pauses in ir0u;e first Presi- dent-George Washington. And 1t is fitting and proper it should for in doing Americans not only pay hom age to a courageous leader whoefilled the gap when leadership was needed but coupled with the man is the birth of the Republic itself While he but of those great patriots of 1776 as the outstanding of the time his name is synonymous with independence
 George Washington like so many other famous product of Bographers agree that had there been revolution by the American colonies during his time it is doubtful that Washington would have risen above the average citizen of colonial days But there revolution against British rule and Washington who in hearty accord with it. found the opportunity to reveal his true quality greatness Born to the affluence of Virginia plantation owner he particularly adrot in military leadership. Neith his record in the House of Burgesses nor in the first Congress particularly brilliant but when he made Commander Chief of the armed forces of the United Colonies June IT, 1775, and set out for Cambridge to direct action against the British he beginning the that to reveal his true worth to the nation
 As one biographer said: If he was not great man when he went to Cambridge, he was both a general and a statesman in the fullest sense when he drove the British out of Boston in March 1776 From that time until his death he admittedly the foremost of the continent"
 
 showed Washington at the very peak of his ability in leadership and courage As the miserable condition of his continued the Congress medded and the camor of the people heard but Washington stood firm. Plot after plot was matched against him. scheme started to replace him with General Ho- ratio Gates but this too failed when treaty of al- liance was signed with France in 1778 It absurd to expect foreign nations to deal with second-rate man as Commander Chief when Washington was in the field. From that point his right to leader ship was never questioned. In fact, it swung the other way and the great man was called upon to extend bis ability in another direction. Some friends sensed the opportunity for personal gain and proposed Washington set himself up as king over the new country. His reply characteristic of the man
 If you have any regard for yourself or posterity or respect for me, banish these thoughts from your mind and never communicate as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of like nature"
 Little wonder call him the father of our coun- try lesser might have seen the possibilities in a kingdom.
 A non-p partisan in politics himself Washington was responsible for holding the two natural parties apart from contest until such time the government had become firmly established He had Alexander Hamilton on one hand sounding the first doctrines the other hand Thomas Jefferson exponent of the Democratic cause. He could not the inevitable necessity of party government in republic but to his foresight in guarding against what emotional par tanship might have done to young nation we can credit today more than 150 years of free and unshaken national life