The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-02-21
WAsHINGToNs BIRTHDAY

unusually appropriate to observe the birthday of
the first President of the United States time when the
nation also has military hero in the White House. Wash
ngton of course his first international fame as the
commanding general of rebeng American soldiers. He
was happily not only great general but great Pres
dent and proof that military do not always
prove misplaced in the White House.
Washington quit after his fathers DEATH at the
Of sixteen and his education long books but
adequate IN forestry sports and the of gentlemen
After three years of surveying, Washington went to the
Bahama Islands, with his brother Lawrence who sought
recuperaton from an illness
Lawrence gave George his place in the Virginia
Militia and shortly after this the Governor of Virginia
selected him for dangerous journey through the forests
the purpose being to the French to depart from the
and not respass Engands claims The French
fused to leave the and Washington had to bring back
the that they probably intended to remain There
upon the Virginia Assembly appropriated funds for
fghng force to be sent against the invaders and Wash
ington accompanied the unit
The commanding officer soon died; in the resulting
fighting and skirmshes, the Virgnians defeated
Washington returned Virginia. reduced in rank and
resigned his commission with indignation England sent
General Braddock conduct the attack he too
failed Washington being this expedition also. There
after the boundaries of Virginia ravaged by
for some years.
third attempt to capture the fort in which the
French garrisoned finally succeeded in 1853 When
the disputes became hot and heavy the colonies
and England Washington sided with the colonsts but ia
vored Cancellation.
When armed revolt broke out in New England New
England leaders agreed that selection of Southerner
would unite the colonies and Washington was agreed
upon He aligned the Middle and Southern States with the
New England States and carried them to victory in long
and bitter struggle against England. AS every American
knows his army often in desperate condition without
food money! and the his great effort
many times in serious doubt.
Washington emerged from the conflict hero and
elected President twice by overwhelming majores
No doubt he could have remained President but he wisely
chose to step down after two terms For time in this
country historians seemed to think modern to minimize
Of the legends that have grown UP about Washing
ton and his accomplishments
In more recent years however historians have come
20 the conclusion that the they study the man. the
greater he actually emerges Had the country not
ed Washington ii is highly doubtful If the Revolution
would have succeeded and thus independence of the
United States today might not have been As soldier and
statesman Washington has peer Although his por-
traits sometimes cold, he generous man. loved
~ his troops and admired by coonss in every corner Of
The Thirteen States Washington is Of the world
great Ne other American rank above him He is
the father of the greatest nation earth and made It's
greatness possible All Americans. and especially the
young people OF today should be reminded of these
each year, when February 2ond rolls around.