There is no individual whose life is more closely identified with the
history of his country than George Washington. You all know the
story of his life by heart. To-day, on the anniversary of his birth,
it is proper and fitting for Americans to dwell upon the virtues of
this great man. Washington's character was magnanimous. He was kind
to the aged, and sympathetic toward his fellow men. Thomas Jefferson
may have had Washington in mind when he wrote, in the Declaration of
Independence, the words "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
He was a brave and courageous patriot, with the rare power of
persuading men. Persuasion! Listen to his words to his soldiers
after their disastrous defeat in the battle of Long Island: "The eyes
of all our countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their
blessings and praises if happily we are the instruments of saving
them from the tyranny meditated against them. Let us, therefore,
animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a
freeman contending for liberty on his own ground is superior to any
slavish mercenary on earth." Gentlemen, do you feel the power of
those inspiring words?