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Show The Greatest American By Betty Wall There is scarcely any doubt about the fact that George Washington is the greatest American who has ever lived. Washington! how we thrill to the sound of it! It is a name to revere, a name to worship and a name at which to wonder. Washington is so deeply rooted a: the hearts cf his brother-Americans that the years that span tre gap between Iris time ana ours cannot wither nor lade the memory mem-ory of his name. It still shines brightly today and helps to spur us on to our victories in life. So much has been said of Washington Wash-ington that there is little use in reiterating it. However, we cau say with the words of Abraham Lincoln in speaking of him: "Washington "Wash-ington is T,he greatest name on earth long since mightiest in the cause tf civil liberty; still mightiest might-iest in moral reformation. To add Brightness to the sun, or glory tc the name of Washington, is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe w;e pronounce the name, and in its naked, deathless splendor leave it shining on." Everyone has heard George Wash ington classed as, "First in war; first in peace, and first in ths hearts of his countrymen." Let us see just how true this is. In -war, Washington had re-maikable re-maikable perseverance. He often lost ba'ullcs but he won the campaign. cam-paign. He was dauntless and ev-n ev-n in the face of defeat was cheerful. cheer-ful. At the age of twenty-two he solved in the field against the French and Indians; at twenty- ! three he braved a storm of bullets t-; bung his men in safety from the scene of Braddocks defeat. In iiis eai ;y life he had so distin-ritri-'"-c;'. hiaiielf for his qualities ol ui adeiship that the country knew just whom to call when the time same for a leader of the Revolu- tionary foiccs to be at hand. Eight eats, then, he spent with h:s a oops in the field, sharing all the dangers ad hardships of his men. Then, even while he longed for rest and retirement, he was called upon to become Commander of the forces of the New America. So much for Washington in war. Now let us turn to him in peace. The father of our country loathed war. He thought it contemptible that men should draw their swords and fight for the destruction of -uc o he. Still, even although he detest??, bloodshed, he hab so much magnanimity of character , that he was was willing to head : our country's forces when the call i-.-mc. I hen out of the disconnected discon-nected fragments, he molded a wlicie and made it a country. Al-I Al-I though he achieved his country's I independence by war, he mahv I tained that independence by peace. I When his fighting days were over. I he ence remarked, "I never expect to drav my srvord again. I can j scarcely conceive the causes that j would induce me to do it. My first wish is to see the whole world in peace, and the inhabitants of it as one band of brothers striving to see who should contribute most to the happiness of mankind." j As "first in the hearts of his j country-men", Washington was the I pc seser cf many traits of character i which have endeared him to mil-irens. mil-irens. He was kind, generous, and . : .v.-rp.-thctic. To him age, infancy, in-fancy, and helplessness were sacred. sac-red. He was noted for his hoc-p.t.ility hoc-p.t.ility to the poor. The suffer-in?;- of women and children thrown adrift by the war, and of his bleeding comrads, pierced his soul. There was something about him ths.f qurckene the pulses of a crowd Tiuldien loved the sight of him and men felt uplifted and inspired vh:n he passed. Surely a man ike this cannot be other than :',-.t in his countrymen's hearts! This is our Washigton. This Is cur hero who exerts his impelling influence today, just as strongly rrnd powerfully as he did back ?. . ess the years. Let us, his h Idren, kneel and pay homage tu hi ' l. whom we love and honor, the . . a test American. |