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 7 
 
 LIFE'^OF 
 
 George Washington 
 
 IN VERSE "^^"^^ 
 
 By BENJ. J. CUNN 32o 
 
 Pittsburg, Kansas 
 
 # 
 
 W. M. No. 261. 1892 
 
 W. M. No. 329. 1902. 1905 
 
 Author of 
 Life of Abraham Lincoln In Verse 
 
 Either Poem 25 Cents 
 
 Cop:gmht 1917 ^>^^ 
 
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MASONIC WORKING TOOLS. 
 
 The Twenty-four Inch Gauge does teach 
 
 Free Masons to divide their time 
 Into three equal parts with each 
 
 Devoted to a task sublime; 
 The service of our God comes first. 
 
 With members of the Craft distressed; 
 Life's daUy work should be rehearsed. 
 
 And then refreshment, sleep and rest. 
 The Common Gavel teaches man 
 
 The vices of life to discard. 
 To live upon a higher plan. 
 
 And well his character to guard ; 
 If Masons thus the Gavel use. 
 
 To shape their lives before they die. 
 The Master then will not refuse 
 
 Admission to the Lodge on high. 
 We use the true Masonic Plumb 
 
 Our perpendiculars to raise. 
 And Craftsmen by its use become 
 
 Upright and manly in their ways ; 
 Before his fellow-man and God 
 
 Uprightly should the Mason walk. 
 His way the way that Jesus trod. 
 
 His talk the same as Christians' talk. 
 
 Thfe Square employed by Masons all 
 
 To shape their deeds is Virtue's Square ; 
 And Craftsmen should obey its call. 
 
 And heed its lessons everywh-ere; 
 Let Masons thus their lives improve ; 
 
 When Death's cold winds comie sighing round. 
 Their souls will rise to God above. 
 
 Where peace eternal will be found. 
 \rhie Level teaches that all men 
 
 Are equally the sons of God, 
 Who are to be forgiving when 
 
 Upon Time's level they all trod 
 Unto that undiscovered land 
 
 From which no traveler returns. 
 Where, seated at God's own right hand. 
 
 The Mason precious wisdom learns. 
 
 The Trowel teaches us to spread 
 
 Love and affection's strong cement, 
 That heart to heart we may be wed 
 
 Into a noble band content. 
 Where no contention can exist 
 
 Except that emulation we . 
 
 Are taught to practice, to assist r 
 
 Us best to work and best agree. 
 
 ;q,A454504 
 
By BENJ. J. GUNN. 
 
 The writer takes his faithful pen 
 
 An even thousand lines to write 
 
 About one of our noblest men, 
 
 Whose story is a beacon light, 
 
 A guiding star, to us today. 
 
 And will throughout the earth be read 
 
 By children and by statesmen gray 
 
 When all of us are cold and dead. 
 
 Beyond the sea for British gold, 
 Eleven hundred eighty-three, 
 The "Wessjmgton" estate was sold 
 To William de Hertburn, and he 
 Transmitted it unto his son: 
 The "de" omitted, then the name 
 To "Wassington" and Wasshington*' 
 Was changed, and "Washington" became. 
 
 One Lawrence Washington received 
 From the Eighth Henry all Sulgrave, 
 But his posterity believed 
 The Stuarts just, and to them gave 
 Allegiance. When Cromwell came 
 Did John and Andrew Washington, 
 Great-grandsons of the one we name, 
 Both journey tow'rd the setting sun. 
 
— 2— 
 
 In sixteen hundred fifty-sev'n 
 They landed on Virginia soil, 
 And in Westmoreland county, ev'n, 
 Began their life of ceaseless toil.' 
 John wooed and won Miss Anna Pope, 
 Was in the house of burgesses, 
 Lived out his days, died in the hope 
 That Jesus would his labors bless. 
 
 In sixteen hundred ninety-four 
 John's grandson, Augustine, was born: 
 And his first wife, Jane Butler, bore 
 Pour children to him, and was torn 
 From earth away. Miss Mary Ball 
 Became his wife, and to him gave 
 The noble George — the name we all 
 Revere where Freedom's banners wave. 
 
 In sev'nteen hundred thirty-two, 
 And on the twenty-second day 
 Of February, the child who 
 Was destined to a Nation sway, 
 Was born. Of Stafford county then 
 Did he become a resident, 
 Join.ed in the chase o'er hill and glen, 
 And was with such a life content. 
 
 Left fatherless when but a lad, 
 
 His mother's precepts wise controlled 
 
 His life. She bade him shun the bad. 
 
 And thus his character did mould. 
 
 To Mary Washington we owe 
 
 A debt of gratitude that can 
 
 In love be paid: that love to show 
 
 Should be the pride of ev'ry man. 
 
— 8— 
 
 Erected o'er her grave today 
 A plain and simple modest stone 
 Appears; and any person may 
 Upon it read these words alone: 
 "Mary, mother of Washington." 
 Yet 'tis enough to such as love 
 The mem'ry of her noble son, 
 Who did to us a Father prove. 
 
 Attentive to his books at school, 
 He did his teachers all obey, 
 And many of his playmates rule 
 As soldiers when their locks were gray. 
 Precise and thorough in his work, 
 Whate'er he did was ably done; 
 He was a student, not a shirk: 
 Such was our noble Washington. 
 
 Beyond the Alleghanies high 
 Vast regions Washington surveyed; 
 And on his field notes still rely 
 Surveyors v/hen surveys are made. 
 A careful youth, though but sixteen, 
 His record is excelled by none: 
 For eighteen decades we have seen 
 No nobler name than Washington. 
 
 Such was the boyhood and the youth 
 Of him whom nations still admire 
 For virtue, honesty and truth, 
 And teach their people to aspire 
 His character to emulate, 
 His virtues all to make their own. 
 That when they reach the golden gate 
 They all may meet our Washington. 
 
When George's brother, Lawrence, died. 
 In sev'nteen hundred fifty-two, 
 Mount Vernon with its acres wide 
 Descended to his daughter who 
 Soon died; and thus did George become 
 The owner of the vast estate 
 On the Potomac: and the home 
 Was worthy of its owner great. 
 
 Virginia's noble governor 
 
 A man of courage wished to send 
 
 To tlie Ohio, where a war 
 
 Seemed imminent; and so he penned 
 
 A letter to a prudent youth 
 
 Whose age was only twenty-one — 
 
 A man of fortitude and truth — 
 
 You know his name — 'twas Washington. 
 
 A mission more important than 
 The one to which we here allude 
 Was ne'er intrusted to a man 
 So young; nor yet to one so good. 
 Courageous and so true; and yet 
 Each trying task was nobly done, 
 Each difficulty fully met 
 By our sagacious Washington. 
 
 October thirty, fifty-three. 
 Upon his journey perilous 
 Did Washington set out, and he 
 Proceeded straightway to discuss 
 Grave matters with his brothers red 
 As soon as he had reached the place 
 Where Pittsburg stands today, and said 
 He peace desired with all their race. 
 
Delivering to St. Pierre 
 Dinwiddie's letter, Washington 
 Received his brief reply, to bear 
 Which answer back must needs be done. 
 On foot and o'er the frozen snow 
 The party in the wilderness 
 For many days did slowly go 
 And forward constantly did press. 
 
 Alone did Washington with Gist 
 On foot the forest journey through; 
 And that their way might not be missed 
 They chose as guide a savage, who 
 Proved treacherous and tried to kill 
 His two companions: leaving him 
 The noble heroes onward still 
 Proceeded with a weary limb. 
 
 They saw the Allegheny's rise 
 And crossed its raging waters wide 
 Amidst great blocks of floating ice, 
 In triumph reached the other side 
 By means of rafts constructed rude; 
 Though they were in its waters thrown. 
 With courage and with fortitude 
 They struggled till the bank was won. 
 
 Quite rapidly our hero went 
 Unto Virginia, whence he came, 
 Reported to the government 
 His mission done: henceforth his fame 
 Increased until it was the theme 
 Of conversation in each group; 
 And he did to the people seem 
 Virginia's pillar and her hope. 
 
— 6— 
 
 In sev'nteen hundred fifty-four 
 The French and Indian war began, 
 And Washington throughout it bore 
 The record of a valiant man; 
 And when a regiment set out 
 To travel tow'rd the setting sun 
 They felt the French could never rout 
 Lieutenant Colonel Washington, 
 
 Upon the twenty-eighth of May 
 In earnest did the war begin. 
 And through the forest dense that day 
 Was echoed loud the battle's din. 
 It has been said by those who know 
 That in that bloody war the gun 
 Directed first against the foe 
 Was in the hands of Washington. 
 
 When the Great Meadows fight was done 
 
 The gallant French were prisoners 
 
 Of war, and were by Washington 
 
 Sent to Virginia's governors. 
 
 The sudden death of Colonel Fry 
 
 Left Washington in full command; 
 
 And he began to fortify 
 
 A place where he could firmly stand. 
 
 But later — on July the third — 
 
 His men at Fort Necessity 
 
 The French attacked, and there was heard 
 
 The sound of savage revelry. 
 
 Compelled soon to capitulate, 
 
 He slowly led his men away 
 
 And straightway did communicate 
 
 To Dinwiddle the men's dismay. 
 
_7_ 
 
 Now Washington resigned his place, 
 That he might his good mother see; 
 But afterwards the populace 
 Asked for a soldier brave, and he 
 In sev'nteen hundred fifty-five 
 Joined BraddoCk's staff and went to meet 
 The foreign foe; and he did give 
 Advice and counsel quite discreet. 
 
 'Twas on the ninth day of July 
 That Braddock fought at Fort du Quesne 
 Until his troops were forced to fly 
 From savage missiles that, like rain, 
 Descended on his soldiers brave 
 Till of his aid-de-camps not one 
 Remained to dire disaster save 
 Except the gallant Washington, 
 
 All over that fierce bloody field 
 Did Washington, undaunted, ride; 
 The colonists were last to yield; 
 Tliough hundreds of the British died. 
 Brave Braddock went down with his men, 
 But Washington escaped unharmed. 
 And by his presence cheered them when 
 They finally become alarmed. 
 
 Two horses under him were shot. 
 Four leaden bullets whistled through 
 His clothes, and yet he faltered not 
 But ever did his duty do. 
 Miraculous seemed his escape 
 Upon that sultry July day 
 From bullets, missiles and from grape 
 That did so many comrades slay. 
 
— 8— 
 
 Had Braddock heeded the advice 
 Of Washington, the great defeat 
 At Fort du Quesne at such a price 
 Would not have heen; that quick retreat 
 Would not have heen recorded on 
 The leaves of England's history, 
 And Braddock might not then have gone 
 To death hefore the enemy. 
 
 Appointed by the governor 
 
 Virginia's soldiers to command. 
 
 Did he continue in the war 
 
 To fight for home and native land. 
 
 Into the Shenandoah fair 
 
 The little hand by Washington 
 
 Was guided; and they tarried there 
 
 Midst scenes beyond comparison. 
 
 In January, fifty-six. 
 
 Did Washington to Boston go, 
 
 That General Shirley might there fix 
 
 Instructions necessary to 
 
 Determine who was in control 
 
 Of forces under his command. 
 
 And ascertained that as a whole 
 
 The troops were guided by his hand. 
 
 It has been said that at New York 
 Young Washington did fall in love. 
 But duty called him to his work 
 And left a rival to improve 
 The golden moments as they sped 
 Until the tender heart was won 
 By him to whom the girl was wed, 
 And not by Colonel Washington. 
 
—9^ 
 
 The year was spent on the frontiers 
 The pioneers brave to protect 
 From hostile French and savage cheers. 
 His presence had a good effect. . 
 It was not until fifty-sev'n 
 That Washington forsook the field 
 And journeyed to Mount Vernon, ev'n, 
 And to disease was forced to yield. 
 
 But finally, in fifty-eight. 
 With Forbes he went to Fort du Quesne, 
 Which fortress did capitulate 
 November twenty-five. 'Twas ta'en 
 Without a blow. This was the end 
 Of fighting in the frontier West, 
 And the brave men who did defemd 
 Their homes so nobly now had rest. 
 
 Before the fall of Fort du Quesne 
 
 Did Washington a widow meet, 
 
 Who pleasantly did entertain 
 
 Him with her charming ways so sweet: 
 
 Her name was Martha Dandridge first. 
 
 But John Parke Custis she had wed; 
 
 And she to Washington rehearsed 
 
 How Custis had been three years dead. 
 
 The charming widow was too much 
 For Washington's admiring gaze; 
 Her tender look, her slightest touch, 
 Her hazel eyes, her winsome ways, 
 His youthful heart did captivate; 
 And he to her his troth did plight. 
 And they agreed to celebrate 
 Their nuptials when was done the fight. 
 
—10— 
 
 Unto the house of burgesses 
 About this time was Washington 
 Elected, and with cheerfulness 
 He heard that he had nobly won. 
 The battle over, he repaired 
 To Williamsburg to claim his bride, 
 Whose hand in marriage he had dared 
 Solicit, and was not denied. 
 
 The year was fifty-nine, the day 
 
 Was January six, when he 
 
 To Mrs. Martha Custis gay 
 
 Became a husband and to the 
 
 Two children a beloved sire. 
 
 At the bride's home the honeymoon 
 
 Of three months passed; but his desire 
 
 For his Mount Vernon came quite soon. 
 
 Before he to Mount Vernon went 
 He sat among the burgesses, 
 Who his brave deeds did compliment 
 And old Virginia's thanks express. 
 Returning to domestic life, 
 He oversaw the vast estate, 
 And with the riches of his wife, 
 To his own added, became great. 
 
 A chariot and four for her 
 Did he most cheerfully provide, 
 But did himself a steed prefer 
 And did on horseback always ride. 
 His own book-keeper and his clerk, 
 His labors honestly were done; 
 And e'en in foreign climes his work 
 Was never scrutinized by one. 
 
—11— 
 
 A burgess Washington remained 
 From fifty-nine to sev'nty-foiir, 
 And during these years he maintained 
 Columbia's cause a-nd always bore 
 An active part in each protest 
 Against the tyranny of George 
 The Third, whose laws oppressed 
 The people, and did o'er them forge 
 
 The tyrant's chain. Divided, they 
 Could not so well the king oppose; 
 And so they named an autumn day 
 For meeting, and the place they chose 
 Was Philadelphia; and there met 
 The Continental Congress when 
 September five came, to debate 
 The welfare of their fellow-men. 
 
 Virginia, longing to be free, 
 
 Sent Pendleton and Harrison, 
 
 And Patrick Henry, Bland and Lee, 
 
 And Randolph, and George Washington 
 
 As delegates to represent 
 
 Her patriotic people; and 
 
 To Philadelphia straightway went 
 
 Those heroes justice to demand. 
 
 From grand Mount Vernon side by side 
 Did Patrick Henry, Washington 
 And Pendleton together ride 
 Tc Philadelphia; and not one 
 Proved to his country's cause untrue: 
 Three great, pure, noble-minded men- 
 Three patriotic statesmen who 
 Would die for freedom of their ken. 
 
—12— 
 
 At length assembled fifty-one 
 Such patriots, determined, brave, 
 And a petition, mild in tone, 
 Dispatched unto the cruel knave 
 Who mercilessly dared oppress 
 Three million people shamefully. 
 The people read the firm address, 
 Resolving to be dead or free. 
 
 On April nineteen, sev'nty-five, 
 The crisis came at Lexington; 
 All Massachusetts was alive 
 With fury; and with loaded gun 
 They drove the British hosts away, 
 But not without the loss of blood: 
 And thus began upon that day 
 The fight for home and brotherhood. 
 
 The Congress m.et tlie tenth of May 
 And organized for the campaign. 
 In June unanimously they 
 Did Washington choose and ordain 
 To lead the soldiers in the fight 
 Against aggressions from the King 
 Of Britain, knowing that the right 
 In time will always triumph bring. 
 
 They offered him a salary. 
 
 But Washington would not receive 
 
 More than his mere expenses; he 
 
 His services would freely give. 
 
 'Twas patriotic duty which 
 
 Led "Washington his l]om.e to quit; 
 
 A base ambition to grow rich 
 
 From office he did not permit. 
 
—13— 
 
 The president of Congress gave 
 Him his commission as the chief 
 Of all Columbia's soldiers brave 
 The twentieth of June, Quite brief 
 At Philadelphia was his stay — 
 He left there on June twenty-one, 
 Proceeding quickly on his way 
 To Boston, where war was begun. ^ 
 
 When Washington assumed command 
 July the third day, Bunker Hill 
 Had witnessed the determined stand 
 Of the provincials, who with skill 
 Twice made the British hosts retreat 
 And almost won the bloody field; 
 But lack of powder caused defeat, 
 Compelling our brave sires to yield. 
 
 The siege of Boston soon began, 
 Continuing the winter through, 
 Till Washington conceived the plan 
 Of forcing Lord Howe's troops to go. 
 To fortify Dorchester Heights 
 Was the command, and on March five 
 Astonished were the British knights 
 To see the crest with troops alive. 
 
 They had to leave the town or fight. 
 Howe quickly chose the former, and 
 In a few days was out of sight 
 Upon the sea with his command. 
 The patriots March seventeen 
 Did enter peacefully the town 
 That for so many months had been 
 Oppressed so sorely by the crown. 
 
—14— 
 
 The bravery of Washington 
 
 In battling for so grand a cause 
 
 And the great victory he won 
 
 Provoked the Nation's wild applause. 
 
 Unanimously Congress gave 
 
 A vote of thanks, and ordered that 
 
 A golden medal he should have 
 
 His victory to celebrate. 
 
 From Boston now unto New York 
 Did Washington with promptness go, 
 And set his soldiers all to work 
 To fortify against the foe. 
 Upon the twenty-ninth of June 
 The British vessels hove in sight 
 And Staten Island's hills were soon 
 Well lined with army tents so white. 
 
 When waiting for the bloody fray 
 That all expected July four — 
 Columbia's Independence Day — 
 Came; half a hundred and six more 
 True patriots in Congress said 
 The time was ripe for Liberty, 
 And though the king might them behead, 
 Their children's children should be free. 
 
 On July nine the document 
 By Washington's command was read 
 To each brigade, and in each tent 
 With truer heart and keener blade 
 The men were to the contest nerved, 
 Prepared to conquer or to die, 
 Believing that the cause they served 
 Would be triumphant by and by. 
 
—15— 
 
 From Halifax and Britain's shore 
 
 And also from the sunny South 
 
 The British in vast numbers bore 
 
 Upon the city; Hudson's mouth 
 
 Was filled with Lord Howe's hostile fleet 
 
 That came rebellion to suppress, 
 
 Determined never to retreat 
 
 Till they the fortress did possess. 
 
 A conference with Washington 
 Lord Howe desired, a,nd to him sent 
 A message; but it was begun 
 With "Mr." He was not content 
 With such a title, and compelled 
 The British chieftain to respect 
 The high position that he held: 
 And thus did Howe his notes direct* 
 
 On August twenty-sev'n at dawn 
 Upon Long Island was begun 
 The battle, and continued on 
 With fury until Washington ^ 
 To Brooklyn ordered a retreat 
 In order to the army save 
 From crushing, ruinous defeat: 
 He lost two thousand soldiers brave. 
 
 The plan of Howe was to surround 
 And capture Washington's whole force, 
 But on the twenty-ninth 'twas found 
 A fog prevented this bold course 
 For a brief season. Washington 
 Observed the danger. All seemed lost. 
 He took his soldiers — every one — 
 And with them to the city crossed. 
 
—16— 
 
 He took them from before the foe 
 Preparing to seize on its prey, 
 And they so silently did go 
 The redcoats knew it not that day, 
 Thanks to the fog that screened from view 
 The movements of the gallant band 
 Whose comrades died that you and you 
 Might live in peace in a free land. 
 
 Retreating from New York away, 
 
 At White Plains they engaged the foe 
 
 In battle one October day — 
 
 The twenty-eighth. Compelled to go, 
 
 They at Northcastle pitched their tent 
 
 Where foreign foes dared not intrude: 
 
 And yet the British government 
 
 Continued to shed human blood. 
 
 Forced through New Jersey to retreat. 
 The army crossed the Delaware 
 Amidst a storm of rain and sleet 
 And suffering beyond compare; 
 The boats were on the western shore 
 By the command of Washington, 
 Cornwallis could do nothing more 
 Till 'neath the ice the waters run. 
 
 On Christmas twice twelve hundred men 
 With Washington the river crossed 
 Midst floating ice. Time and again 
 It seemed as if all must be lost; 
 But safe they reached the Jersey shore 
 And marched against the Hessians, who 
 Were unprepared at Trenton for 
 What Washington proposed to do . 
 
—17— 
 
 Our Washington lost two men slain, 
 "While hundreds of the Hessians died; 
 A thousand prisoners were ta'en 
 Unto the Pennsylvania side. 
 Soon after this the Delaware 
 Was crossed again; the second day 
 Of January found them where 
 There seemed no chance to get away. 
 
 Upon that cold eventful night, 
 That he Cornwallis might deceive, 
 The bivouac fires were burning bright 
 When Washington took sudden leave 
 And marched away to Princeton, where 
 He won a signal victory. 
 The roar of cannon through the air 
 Was borne back to the enemy. 
 
 Outgeneralled by Washington, 
 Cornwallis to the rescue flew; 
 But ere he came the fight was won 
 By our forefathers brave and true. 
 They were encamped at Morristown 
 From January until May, 
 And then to Middlebrook went down. 
 In June they moved six miles away 
 
 To Quibbletown — Newcastle now — 
 But soon to Middlebrook again 
 They went; and then Sir William Howe 
 Quit Jersey soil with all his men. 
 His destination was unknown, 
 But Washington correctly guessed 
 To Philadelphia Howe had gone; 
 And straightway led his army west. 
 
—18— 
 
 At Germantown he pitched his tents, 
 And waited for the foe to come, 
 Determined to at all events 
 Avert the city's pending doom. 
 'Tv/as here he first met La Fayette, 
 The young, rich nobleman of France, 
 Who crossed the briny deep to get 
 To fight for our deliverance. 
 
 Upon the famous Brandywine, 
 In sev'nteen hundred sev'nty-sev'n, 
 Just two days past September nine, 
 A bloody battle fierce was giv'n. 
 A lack of numbers to defeat 
 The foreign legions under Howe 
 Compelled our soldiers to retreat 
 And to a place of safety go. 
 
 Howe captured Philadelphia then 
 September twenty-six and bade 
 Cornwallis enter with his meii. 
 Which made the patriots all sad. 
 At Germantown October four 
 Did Washington the foe attack. 
 But a dense fog that hovered o'er 
 The earth induced both sides to back. 
 
 Soon after this did Washington 
 Into his winter quarters go 
 At Valley Forge. This noble son 
 Who thus conteuided with the foe 
 Was grieved to see ambitious Gates 
 And Conway plot to supersede 
 Him in the service of the States 
 That did his counsel sorely need. 
 
—la- 
 in this, the Nation's darkest hour, 
 False friends at home and foes abroad 
 Sought to perpetuate the pow'r 
 Of him who scrupled not to trod 
 Upon the rights of noble men 
 Who braved the tempests of the sea 
 And settled in a foreign glen 
 That they might be forever free. 
 
 Some soldiers had upon their feet 
 No shoes; no coats to keep them warm; 
 They had but little food to eat. 
 And were exposed to ev'ry storm. 
 Though hands were cold and feet did b^eod, 
 They still believed their caure was just 
 And that they would in time succeed, 
 If they in God would only trust. 
 
 The British did commemorate 
 The eighteenth day of lovely June, 
 In sev'nteen hundred sev'nty-eight, 
 By leaving Philadelphia. Soon 
 Did Washington the Delaware 
 Cross over and the foe pursue, 
 Who unto Monmouth did repair 
 And were attacked by soldiers true. 
 
 Our sires commanded were by Lee, 
 
 Who fought not as he should have done. 
 
 But ordered all his men to flee; 
 
 They fied, but were by Washington 
 
 Led back. Like demons fought the men 
 
 Upon that sultry day of June, 
 
 The eight and twentieth; and when 
 
 The next day came they stood alone. 
 
—20— 
 
 For Clinton and his men had fled 
 
 Precipitately in the night, 
 
 Their wounded leaving, and their dead, 
 
 Their hurried flight to expedite. 
 
 In Jersey Washington remained 
 
 Until September came and then 
 
 To "West Point went and ascertained 
 
 The movements of the Englishmen. 
 
 July sixteen, in sev'nty-nine, 
 
 By Washington's command did Wayne 
 
 With only a few men in line 
 
 The fort at Stony Point regain. 
 
 Discharging not a single gun. 
 
 With killed and wounded ninety-eight 
 
 They captured the whole garrison 
 
 Of some six hundred on that date. 
 
 The Continental currency 
 
 Continued to depreciate 
 
 Until the specie came to be 
 
 Worth fifty times as much. The state 
 
 Did it a legal tender make. 
 
 Declaring it as good as gold, 
 
 But people still refused to take 
 
 The worthless stuff for what they sold. 
 
 If those who favor flat now 
 The country's history will read 
 With care, they can perhaps learn how 
 Such fiat money will succeed. 
 Our currency is good today 
 Because we are a Nation great 
 And able all our debts to pay; 
 And creditors are glad to wait. 
 
With means and honesty to meet 
 Our obligations, men receive 
 Our promises to pay; but let 
 The business world come to believe 
 Us bankrupt, they will then refuse 
 Our obligations. As with man 
 So with a Nation, which must choose 
 A safe and sound financial plan. 
 
 *Twas sev'nteen hundred eighty when 
 
 A messenger to Washington 
 
 The tidings bore: one of his men 
 
 Had proved himself a traitor son. 
 
 'Twas Arnold, he who led the fight 
 
 At Saratoga and Quebec 
 
 And did the foe with terror smite; 
 
 For danger did not Arnold reck. 
 
 But in an evil hour he fell 
 And did his country's cause betray. 
 Becoming only fit for hell. 
 Where traitors go and go to stay. 
 John Andre, his confederate, 
 Was tried and punished as a spy; 
 But Arnold later met his fate, 
 Forsaken, left alone to die. 
 
 In sev'nteen hundred eighty-one 
 Did Washington his army lead 
 Unto the South, and to his own 
 Mount Vernon home did he proceed. 
 Six years had come and gone since he 
 Had bidden that dear home adieu 
 To fight for home and liberty 
 Beside our fathers, brave and true. 
 
—22— 
 
 Now Washington and Rochambeau, 
 Commanding forces on the land, 
 Uniting with Count de Grasse, who 
 Upon the sea had sole command, 
 In Yorktown did Cornwallis peiii 
 So that he could not get away. 
 But did surrender all his men 
 October nineteen — happy day. 
 
 The Revolution's at an end, 
 Columbia's independence won; 
 Thanks be to those who did defend 
 Their country's cause with Washington, 
 The "Father of his Country,'* and 
 The most illustrious of men; 
 And we today well understand 
 We'll never see his like again. 
 
 In sev'nteeu hundred eighty-three 
 Bade Washington his men farewell; 
 Then to Mount Vernon journeyed he, 
 In peace and happiness to dwell. 
 But he could not at home remain; 
 He left it for his country's good; 
 For he was o::e without a stain, 
 For love, and truth and virtue stoo^l. 
 
 At length the Constitutional 
 Convention met the tenth of May, 
 In eighty-sev'n; and they did call 
 True Washington to lead the way. 
 Upon September seventeen 
 Their labors arduous were done; 
 And on that instrument is seen. 
 The first name there, George Washington. 
 
—23— 
 
 In sev'nteen hundred eighty-nine, 
 The seventh day of the new year, 
 From Hampshire to the Georgia line 
 The people did from far and near 
 Choose sixty-nine electors, who 
 All voted for George Washington 
 For President; John Adams true 
 Became Columbia's second son. 
 
 As Washington to New York went 
 
 He saw ovations ev'rywhere, 
 
 And frequently the President 
 
 Elect tread over flowers fair. 
 
 The thirtieth of April came: 
 
 The oath of office duly ta'en, 
 
 "Long live George V/ashington." This name 
 
 Was shouted loud time and again. 
 
 In the first cabinet we find 
 
 Such men as Knox and Jefferson, 
 
 And Randolph, and the master mind 
 
 Of Alexander Hamilton — 
 
 Men foremost in the Nation's cause, 
 
 Men, earnest, patriotic, true; 
 
 Men who gave us some of the laws 
 
 That govern me today, and you. 
 
 The country's welfare to promote, 
 The Congress passed this famous bill, 
 For which the most of them did vote: 
 Protection to the farm and mill. 
 Protection was the statesman's cry 
 That echoed was by ev'ry son; 
 And on the Fourth day of July 
 It was approved by Washington. 
 
—24— 
 
 The veto message that was sent 
 In sev'nteen hundred ninety-two 
 To Congress by the President 
 Related to the number who 
 Should represent the people when 
 The members of the Third House met. 
 "Unconstitutional," his pen 
 Wrote; and so said his cabinet. 
 
 In sev'nteen hundred ninety-two 
 The second great election came, 
 And ev'rywhere the Nation through 
 The people spoke a single name: 
 In ninety-three thrice forty-four 
 Electors met and their votes gave 
 To Washington for four years more. 
 While Adams sixty-sev'n did have. 
 
 About this time a difference 
 Arose with France, who sent Genet 
 As minister. He did commence 
 To organize troops for the fray 
 With England; but the President 
 At once demanded his recall 
 To Europe, and the government 
 Approved his course and sanctioned all. 
 
 While many people favored Prance 
 For what she did to make us free 
 And gladly welcomed such a chance 
 To prove to her their sympathy, 
 Their confidence in Washington 
 Induced them to adopt his plan; 
 And there is now not even one 
 Who doubts the wisdom of the man. 
 
—25— 
 
 Before his second term was o'er 
 His cabinet had all resigned, 
 Which did the President deplore, 
 But he did other statesmen find. 
 He ruled the States with truth and love, 
 Promoting harmony and peace; 
 Though critics did at times reprove, 
 He lived to see the malice cease. 
 
 'Twas sev'nteen hundred ninety when 
 Old Philadelphia town became 
 The Nation's capital; and then 
 'Twas relocated; and the name 
 Was that of our first President, 
 Who laid the building's corner stone 
 On the Potomac, being sent 
 By Congress; such is Washington. 
 
 In due time his "Farewell Address" 
 Was given to the people, whom 
 He did with words of wisdom bless: 
 His words are not within his tomb; 
 For all of us now realize 
 That they will ever constitute 
 A dear, a grand, a glorious prize. 
 Whose value Time can not compute. 
 
 Thus ended the oflScial life 
 
 Of Washington, the Nation's friend, 
 
 Who led them through the weary strife 
 
 Thai won our freedom in the end. 
 
 Long may his blessed memory 
 
 Be idolized by ev'ry one 
 
 Who has a longing to be free. 
 
 Long live the name of Washington. 
 
—26— 
 
 His public life was ended now, 
 And lie unto Mount Vernon went, 
 To oversee and reap and sow. 
 With which pursuit he was content. 
 But many, many noted men 
 Were welcome guests about his board; 
 For statesmen sought his counsels then. 
 And listened to his ev'ry word. 
 
 In sev'nteen hundred ninety-eight 
 The French aroused the Nation's ire, 
 Believing that our men would hate 
 Upon the flag of France to fire. 
 Our minister was sent away 
 And France no other would receive; 
 Our President without delay 
 Suggested that the Congress give 
 
 Tliat government to understand 
 That we were independent, free: 
 The Congress acted promptly and 
 The war then certain seemed to be. 
 All eyes were turned to Washington 
 To lead them in the fight again, 
 As he before had nobly done: 
 And he was named commander then. 
 
 The threatened battle did not come, 
 For France apologized to us: 
 Thus Washington remained at home, 
 Removed from battles perilous. 
 He lived to see the compromise 
 Almost effected, and knew soon 
 The peace that he so much did prize 
 Would to the Nation be a boon. 
 
—27— 
 
 December fourteen, ninety-nine, 
 Tlie dreaded angel of death came 
 And did in his cold arms entwine 
 The form of one whose noble name 
 Has been Columbia's watch-word for 
 One hundred forty years. Both then 
 And now, "first in peace, first in war, 
 First in the hearts of countrymen." 
 
 His illness lasted but a day. 
 
 His suffering was quite intense, 
 
 But he was carried soon away 
 
 To that Supreme Intelligence 
 
 That does all Nature's scenes pervade 
 
 And cares for such as good have done; 
 
 And in His dwelling place was made 
 
 A home for noble Washington. 
 
 Four days his body lay in state 
 Ere it was placed within the tomb, 
 A dwelling to which soon or late 
 In silence all must surely come. 
 By brothers true the corse was borne 
 And at Mount Vernon laid to rest; 
 The lambskin that in life was worn 
 In death lay o'er his pulseless breast. 
 
 For ages has the lambskin been 
 
 An emblem of sweet innocence. 
 
 The Mason's badge, pure, white and clean, 
 
 That teaches us benevolence": 
 
 And 'tis today the Craftsman's pride 
 
 That he can point his friends to one 
 
 So noble, who met side by side 
 
 With Masons: thus did Washington. 
 
—28— 
 
 For him the Nation now did mourn; 
 For when his life came to an end 
 The people knew from them was torn 
 A father and a faithful friend. 
 Not only did Columbia weep 
 For her distinguished, noble son, 
 But other nations, o'er the deep, 
 "With us mourned for George Washington. 
 
 In his last will and testament 
 He gave his slaves their liberty, 
 For Washington was not content 
 Unless he made his servants free. 
 At Mrs. Washington's decease 
 The policy that he did state 
 Was made effective, and in peace 
 The slaves stood free men at her gate. 
 
 Upon Columbia's vast domain 
 
 No spot more sacred can be found 
 
 Than that where Washington has lain 
 
 For six score years almost. That ground 
 
 Is visited by tourists nov/, 
 
 Who gaze with reverence and love; 
 
 And many in its presence vow 
 
 That they will meet him un above. 
 
 The Eighteenth century has passed, 
 
 The Twentieth has long since come, 
 
 Our Nation has become so vast 
 
 That it is now the happy home 
 
 Of five score million free men, who 
 
 Relate to daughter and to son 
 
 The deeds of the brave men who drew 
 
 The sword and fought with Washington. 
 
—29— 
 
 The picket who stood in the rain, 
 The soldier who lay in the sleet, 
 The hero numbered with the slain, 
 The patriot with shoeless feet, 
 The statesman with a loyal heart. 
 The mother with a soldier son. 
 Deserve our gratitude in part, 
 But no one more than Washington. 
 
 While men the English language speak 
 And teach their sons the history 
 Of that great war, v/herein the weak 
 Opposed the strong man's tyranny 
 And struggled to throw off the yoke 
 That emanated from the throne 
 Of Britain, people will invoke 
 God's blessing upon Washington. 
 
 The lapse of time, the ruthless hand 
 Of ignorance may devastate 
 The costly monuments that stand 
 To mark the name of one so great, 
 But even then his name will live 
 Within the heart of ev'ry son 
 Who reads the thrilling narrative 
 Of Washington — proud Washington. 
 
 This government may perish and 
 This land be peopled by a race 
 That does not English understand, 
 And their historians may trace 
 The records for the world's great men, 
 But when their labors all are done 
 They'll find the noblest citizen 
 Is proud Columbia's Washington. 
 
—30— 
 
 1 he sun may cease to shed his light. 
 
 The smiling moon may change to blood, 
 
 The stars may cease to shine at night, 
 
 The earth be deluged with a flood; 
 
 But when eternity shall come 
 
 And things terrestrial are done 
 
 In Heav'n above — the Christian's home — 
 
 God's angels will guard Washington. 
 
 The Roman may of Caesar sing, 
 Columbus may be claimed by Spain, 
 And Switzerland her Tell may bring, 
 And France her hero from the Seine, 
 Great Britain may extol her queen 
 And Germany her proudest son, 
 But in America we mean 
 To write and sing of Washington. 
 
 So long as we our children tell 
 
 Of the heroic, noble deeds 
 
 Performed by patriots who fell 
 
 On Northern hills and Southern meads. 
 
 This government of ours will stand 
 
 To bless our progeny, not one 
 
 Of whom will raise his strong right hand 
 
 Against the flag of Washington. 
 
 To know the history of Rome 
 And ancient Greece is very well. 
 But let our children first become 
 Familiar with what authors tell 
 About our Massachusetts men 
 Who won the day at Lexington, 
 And marched against the British when 
 Commanded by our Washington. 
 
—31— 
 
 Long years ago, ere we drew breath, 
 And gazed upon the brilliant world, 
 Our gallant hero tasted death 
 And to eternity was hurled. 
 'Twas in his day and by his hand 
 America her freedom won; 
 Emblazoned high must ever stand 
 That name immortal! Washington! 
 
 The story of his life is known 
 
 In gorgeous palace, humble cot, 
 
 By children and by freemen grown; 
 
 His name will never be forgot. 
 
 On February twenty-two 
 
 Loud rings the shouts of every son, 
 
 Prom Eastern sea to Western blue, 
 
 "Hurrah! Hurrah! lor Washington!" 
 
 Our Country's father! kind and true! 
 To his example point with pride, 
 And strive to emulate it, too; 
 'Tis said of him, "He never lied." 
 Forever true to friend was he, 
 And no known duty left undone; 
 He fought for years to make us free: 
 All honor to our Washington! 
 
 Who led his gallant little band 
 With bloody foot-prints through the snow, 
 And soothed them by his wise command, 
 And put to rout the British foe? 
 Who led our fathers through the war 
 And forced the tyrants all to run? 
 Back comes the answer from afar: 
 "Our Washington! Our Washington!" 
 
—32— 
 
 As President he served us well 
 And ever strove to do his best; 
 In ninety-nine sad tolled the bell, 
 Announcing his eternal rest. 
 He bade farewell to scenes below, 
 His earthly labors being done; 
 He said, "I'm not afraid to go:" 
 And thus departed Washington! 
 
 Our story has been briefly told, 
 Cooisidering the many acts 
 Performed by one so true and bold. 
 Our aim has been to give the facts 
 In a succinct and pleasing style; 
 We hope our task has been well done; 
 And now we ask your pardon while 
 We close our tale of Washington. 
 
DISTINGUISHED CRAFTSMEN 
 
 JOHN ADAMS 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS 
 
 M.: W.: JOSIAH BARTLETT 
 
 RICHARD P. BLAND 
 
 WILLIAM J. BRYAN 
 
 JAMES BUCHANAN 
 
 JOSEPH G. CANNON 
 
 CHAMP CLARK 
 
 HENRY CLAY 
 
 DEWITT CLINTON 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS 
 
 STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS 
 
 CHARLES W. FAIRBANKS 
 
 M.: W.: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 
 
 JAMES A. GARFIELD 
 
 ELBRIDGE GERRY 
 
 HORACE GREELEY 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK 
 
 BENJAMIN HARRISON, Sr. 
 
 JOHN J. INGALLS 
 
 M.: W.: ANDREW JACKSON 
 
 THOMAS JEFFERSON 
 
 ANDREW JOHNSON 
 
 JOHN PAUL JONES 
 
 W. : MARQUIS de LA FAYETTE 
 
 FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE 
 
 THOMAS R. MARSHALL 
 
 WILLIAM McKINLEY 
 
 GEORGE G. MEADE 
 
 ROBERT TREATE PAINE 
 
 JAMES K. POLK 
 
 WILLIAM A. QUAYLE 
 
 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 
 
 WINFIELD SCOTT SCHLEY 
 
 JEREMIAH SIMPSON 
 
 WILLIAM H. TAFT 
 
 M. : W. : HENRY M. TELLER 
 
 JOSEPH WARREN 
 
 W.: GEORGE WASHINGTON 
 
 OLIVER WOLCOTT 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 011 782 499 8