The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1953-02-20
Just Among Ourselves

Washington's birthday which to the chagrin of
countless school children falls this year upon Sun
day should be, for every American day of prayer
ful thankfulness to God. For it is privilege be-
slowed upon us by Providence that we are free
people Washington is the symbol of that freedom,
The day we honor in his memory ought to be the
occasion for thinking Of what our freedom means
Out Of that thought must come humble and heart.
felt thanks.
To most of us, Washington is a name, and
picture, and few fact of history, and legend
or two. Perhaps Parson Weems rather silly story
of the beamish boy who could not tell lie though
he could swing ruinous hatchet is more firmly
rooted in minds than really important facts of
Washingtons story Maybe we think that duty
is done when We celebrate the day by eating cherry
ice cream
AT all events we cannot know very much of the
actual personality Of Washington This is so of all
the remoter figures Of history But we can know
very clearly what Washington stood for, and fought
for and labored treleSsly to establish permanently
in this country of his and ours And unquestionaby
that is what Washington would want us 10 know
and to think about, on his anniversary
Washington lives in memory as famous por
trait This Is the picture Of Of somewhat stern
but not OF tyrannouS appearance. his lips are set
in firm line which indicates strong character
even though II may be true as il is said that this
ilrmneSs OF expression was partly owing TO the
habit OF constantly using the lips to keep in place
set of lfittlng false teeth. The picture shows
man in outmoded garments, and with snowy wig
which would look ridiculous person IN modern
dress, but which somehow lends dignity. and even
touch of majesty, to the Father Of his Country clad
in his colonias.
Washington also lives in memory as successful
general. We remember the terrible winter at Val
Icy Forge, of course, but this period of darkness
before dawn only helps give dramatic brilliance to
the day Of triumph. We rejoice with full and devoted
hearts in The victory Of Yorktown. We hear with un-
ending delight the cry of the watch, "CornWallis is
taken And yet if VIC read the books, are amazed
al the long series of defeats that the great general
endured before he was ultimately victorious
For Washington was no master mind And he
had constant and reliable resources He had an
enemy to fight but his most disheartening struggle
not with the foe IN the field but with those who
should have been his friends and his ardent sup
porters He had to demand then urge. then beg for
supplies and money to keep the army effective,
and even 10 hold it together The Continental Con
gress like all Congresses. was slow TO take
sary action, and incapable of swift and effective
action,
There we're in America rich men and influential
families, but some of these reluctant to invest
in what seemed all along hopeless cause, and
others were not at all willing TO forego the social
and political Importance Of their position as subjects
OF recognized monarchy for The purpose of pro
noting the efforts Of what appeared to be a rude
and ragged mob Besides allegiance to the Amer
lean cause would mean disgrace and fine and prob
ably Imprisonment, when the insurecton once
put down. Many a man. and many family, whose
wealth and influence would have lent great power
to Washingtons strong arm and manly heart we're
either indifferent TO his needs or actually trying
TO defeat him.
Yorktown was long while coming Meanwhile
there had TO be delays, defeats disapponments,
retreats and dull inactivity Washingtons great gift
was not that of a military genius, which he was not;
his gift was an unremting will to the business
through That firm set of his mouth not all
owing to poor false teeth
And VIC who remember Washington picture
and as a heroic figure at Trenton and Yorktown
would do we'll to consider that, throughout almost
the entire war, he not a successful general
but a defeated general We should remember this
fact because II makes the more notable for the
real virtues that made him great--the virtue of un
tagging devotion, the virtue of unbending will the
virtue Of giving the last full of devotion
to what he knew to he the right cause but which
nearly all men and perhaps he himself, recognized
as hopeless cause
There is virtue in success When success is
admirable. as IL often is, the admiration is owing
to the virtues of those who brought il about and
not 10 the success itself Washington would still be
a great man though doubtless forgotten one, If he
had lost the war and with il our independence.
II is good for us TO remember this truth, Tor
truth clarifies the vision And is right for MS to
admire and reverence Washington for the true rea-
son that he was man of splendid courage and un-
tagging dedication to duty For We can do more
than admire him in this light; we can also initiate
him. Not every man be successful general.
Not everyone can command troops, Inspire CON
fidence and carry to glory after seeming TO
be crushed Not everyone be world figure.
But everyone can cultivate firmneSs of character
and steadfastness in the face of difficulties.
We celebrate Washingtons Birthday properly
by honorng the memory of our countrys most inn
portant founder by thanking God that, in His Prov
dence this man was given TO lead our fathers 10
liberty. by remembering that our hero was nc
elitternp genius, but plain, good man, who saw
his duty and gave all he had to see II done; hS
recalling that here was = leader who had faith If
the people and in God and who sought help hs
kneeing IN humble and confident prayer