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Show THE DIXIE OWL that war Washington was the A Tribute to Geo . Washington George Washington a name honored and revered in all civilized nations, is so closely connected with the cause of civil and religious liberty that his name is almost a synonym for this great boon to mankind. Freedom and liberty was an English heritage, and Washington was one of the noblest products of the English race. In his veins flowed the blood of nobility. He was a cavalier of tbe cavaliers! Hack to the time of William the Conqueror generations had been producing by a process of selection, (possibly influenced) tbe man of all to men lead the greatest cause and fight the greatest fight for which humanity has ever struggled. He had developed a splendid physique, a quick brain, a keen knowledge of warfare, and, when the course of events led up to the immortal Declaration of Independence, and when a battle line was drawn, all eyes turned, to Washington as their command-er-in-chiede-vine- ly f. Washingtons qualifications were the result not of brillant pillar upon which Congress and the patriots leaned. Throughout the war the people trusted him and Congress sustained him. With such lieutenants as Green, Wayne, Schuyler, Morgan, and others, he won the fight for liberty, and gladly would he return to Mount Vernon and live and die a private citizen but not so. A new and untried experiment in free government was to be had. Sovereign and independent states were to be cemented to- gether in one great federation, and Washington alone could yield the necessary influence to make the constitution, ratify it, and launch the ship of State upon the unexplored sea of popular gov- ernment. The eyes of the world were upon him the first, president of a free people. He bad won laurels in the field, would he in his cabinet? He associated with him in his cabinet, men with opposite and extreme views. Hamilton and Jefferson opposed each other like game cocks, but still Washingtons justice and impartiality won over all, and liberty enlightening tbe world was made a permanent fixture in the history of mankind and Washingtons was be band which held highest and best its illuminating torch. Great tributes have been paid t achievements nor of signal successes, but of his reverses the great men, but no greater tribute fruits of defeat. was ever paid Washington than s When he emerged from that paid him by Richard Henry expedition, safe Lee when he characterized Washand sound, the Reverend Davis ington as First in War, first in referred to him in his sermon as peace and first in the hearts of That heroic youth, Col. Washhis countrymen. in I whom cannot but ington, Washingtons appearance has hope providence has preserved in been the theme of many artists, so signal a manner for some imnot one of whom, perhaps, has to his service ever caught his best looks or country portant an expression of enthusiasm at transmitted bis features when the time, but in the light of fukindled by his matchless soul. ture events almost prophetic. He was dignified and stately with Flight long years the war for an aristocratic bearing. His face independence, for liberty, for was serious and grave generalright, was waged. Throughout ly thoughtful and serene. At the Brad-dock- ill-fat- ed head of his troops he was every inch a soldier; in the drawing room he was as graceful as a knight errant; in the deliberative assemblies a statesman and a sage. Everyone and everything, if judged at all, must be judged according to some standard, but if we attempt a character sketch of Washington we find it hard, for as a matter of fact, he was so near the ideal, so near the standard himself that his name and his life are a symbol of character. He was majestic in his simplicity, notwithstanding his courtly ways, his was a massive grandeur and a quiet colossial strength. He was no hero of romance, for there was nothing of the romantic heroism in his nature as a warrior he wTas incapable of fear, but made no merits of defying danger; be fought for a cause but not for personal renown. Gladly when he bad won that cause he hung up his sword never to take it down. Glory, that blatant word which haunts the minds of most military men like tbe bray of trumpets, formed no part of bis aspirations. To act justly was his constant effort, to deserve tbe affections of good men bis ambition. Washingtons character may want some of those poetical elements, but it possessed fewer inequalities, and a rarer union of virtues than perhaps ever fell to the lot of one man prudence, firmness, sagacity, moderation, an overruling judgment, an immovable justice, courage that never faltered, and patience that never wearied. His fame stands apart from every other in history, shining with a truer luster and a more benignant glory. On the 22nd day of February and until time is no more we shall commemorate and venerate |
