Arsenal Cannon (Indianapolis, Ind.), February 21, 1921

              Volume XVII
Indianapolis, Ind., February 21,  1921
Number 3
George Washington
Arthur
To state the usual facts surrounding Washington's life would be unnecessary, for every
student in America knows the "Father of Our
Country," or George of "Cherry tree fame."
However, we do not see him as his intimate
friends did. We simply entertain a vague ideal,
and  are  satisfied.
Washington came first into the public eye
when on that ill-fated trip of Braddock's. By
his judgment and valor, our youthful soldier,
in the dismal hour of Indian victory, saved the
remains of a defeated army. When the dark
days of the Revolution came, Congress elevated
him, by unanimous consent, to the command
of her entire army. At Boston he infused the
invincibility of love of country and gave the
stability of system to an undisciplined, courageous, and virtuous yeomanry.
We are all familiar with the campaigns that
followed, culminating in that last concentration
of forces at Yorktown, and winning for Washington the deserved and everlasting love of the
"^people of the U. S.
After this victory, the "Leader in War" was
called forth to serve the public further. He
organized and built up the shattered States
during his two terms as president and set many
good examples which each succeeding president
has followed.
Thus it was that the founder of our federate
republic, our bulwark in war, our guide in
peace, lived his life, in the service of his country.
He was but a man; he had his trials, his temptations, and his quarrels;but he also possessed
the qualities which have made him, in our
hearts, almost a super-man.
We cannot give Washington too much credit
for the debt our nation owes him. He sacrificed
his fortune, his life, and his health in order
to secure our present government. He inspired
in his countrymen the spirit of patriotism which
has held the Union invincible throughout the
War of 1812, the Civil War, and the recent
World War.   We, to-day, fight to maintain that
Harris
which he fought for and gained. His spirit will
survive the ages and serve as a guiding hand
and reliable counsel for those in whom we shall
trust the government of this nation.
The following verses of poetry by Robert
Burns, convey an idea of the depth of feeling
and honor with which we, the American people,
regard the birthday of George Washington:
No  Sparten  tube,  no Attic  shell,
No  lyre   seolian   I   awake;
'Tis  liberty's   bold  note  I  swell,
Thy harp, Columbia, let me take!
See gathering thousands, while I sing,
A broken Chain exulting bring,
And dash it in a tyrant's face
And dare him to his very beard,
And tell him he no more is feared—
No more the despot of Columbia's race!
A tyrant's proudest insults braved,
They shout a People   freed! They hail an Empire saved.
Thee, Caledonia! They wild heaths among,
Famed for the martial deed, the heaven-taught
song,
To thee I turn with swimming eyes;
Where is that soul of Freedom fled?
Immingled with the mighty dead,
Beneath that hollowed turf Wallace lies
Hear it not, Wallace! in thy bed of death.
Ye babbling winds! in silence weep,
Disturb not ye the hero's sleep,
Nor give the coward secret breath!
Is this the ancient Caledonian form,
Firm as the rock, resistless as the storm?
Show me that eye which shot immortal hate,
Blasting the despot's proudest bearing;
Show   me    that   arm   which,     nerved  >with
thundering fate,
Crushed Usurpation's boldest daring!
Dark-quenched as yonder sinking star,
No more that glance lightens afar;
That palsied  arm  no  more  whirls  on  the
waste of War.
From "An Ode for Washington's Birthday."