Evening star., 1951-02-22
The importance Of Washington

The great tests which try the souls of in
dividual Americans In this nid-year. of the
twentieth century are tests of character That
is why the national commemoration of the birth
of George Washington is important He has
specific value for the heirs of his labors. To an
extent unsurpassed by any other man, he created
the Federal Republic and set it in operation as
a going concern" The patterns followed by
our Government generally are those which he
led in deyising. He was not only the father OF
his country. 1t is equally true that he was its
first citizen. Perhaps without desiring so to do
he established an example for all Americans who
have lived since 1776
And his example is matter of character.
Lord Brougham as far back as 1889 declared:
Surely Washington was the greatest man that
ever lived in this world uninspired by divine
wisdom and unsustained by supernatural virtue"
The view thus expressed was shared by Abraham
Lincoln, who, speaking at Springfield, Illinois,
February 20, 1842, insisted: washington is the
mightiest name on earth-long since mightiest
in the cause of civil liberty; still mightiest in
moral reformation" This Identification of Wash
ington's achievement with ethical progress often
has been neglected by even searching and aStute
commentators, yet it plainly is significant. The
soldier-Presdent who gave effect to the Declara-
ton of Independence and the Constitution was
above all else power in terms of character. He
strove to the end that the United States should
be Nation strong and righteous. The national
community in 1851 honors him best when.it en-
deavorS to emulate him.
We Americans of the prevailing "age of con-
fusion" need the help of the same a1erted con-
science to which he referred as "that little spark
of celestial fire.: we need the "brotherly affec-
ton and love for one another" for which he
prayed after his first Inauguration; we need his
emancipation from resentment and jealousy;
we need his integrity, which Thomas Jefferson
considered his noblest virtue; we need his active
patriotism and courage, to which John Adams
testified as early as TITS, Sacrificing his ease,
and haZarding all in the cause of his country;
we need his Judgment and great self-com-
mand," which Gilbert Stuart found so compelling;
we need his modesty, which prompted him to
refuse a crown; we need his sincerity and his
devotion to truth; we need his firmness and
caution and high regard for his pledged word;
we need his willingness to toll for small personal
reward; we need his faith and confidence in
the future of free and responsible civilization.
Certainly, none of these qualities for which
Washington was distinguished is easy of at
tainment. All of them would be inconsequential
if they could be had without effort He acquired
them not accidentally, and we can possess them
only by rededication of our hearts and our minds.
Especially now, in the present critical moment,
such service as America and the whole world
require involves a solemn, exhausting ordeal.
The measure of our right to survive in liberty
and with reasonable hope for peace will be de-
termined by our willingness to face the demands
now incumbent upon us without shirking and
without complaint.