Germantown Academy - Ye Primer Yearbook (Fort Washington, PA)

Page 30 text:

OUR FAMOUS STA TESMEN 1.c1ci1'ffs and Gmzfle11'1c1z.' Perhaps during any two centuries of its existence, no nation on the globe can boast of as many and illustrious statesmen as our own country. From the time when our fore- fathers declared that taxation without repre- sentation is unjustf' when they first beheld liberty looming up before them, from that time our country has been the fertile soil from which have sprung some of the purest of his- torical characters. Characterized by their patience, justice, heroism and truth, they stand forth as beacon lights in our history. They are known by that same courage and spirit which was ever pre- eminent in the early colonists. By this spirit alone the colonies grew and became prosper- ous, by our statesmen endowed with this same integrity, love of freedom and justice they were united into one nation and then later the unity of this nation was preserved by one whose statesmanship is unparalleled in our history. France has its art, Italy its music. It is generally conceded that Germany excels in science and England in wealth and power, but for the greatest and best statesmen our own beloved country stands at the head. ' VVas it by stratagem or good luck that we are to-day independent Americans? Not so, but rather is it due to that wise, noble and courageous statesman and general, George Vlfashington. It is due to the remarkable tact and genius of Franklin and Jefferson. VVhat could measure our indebtedness to Wfebster and Clay, who by their wise super- vision settled our great questions of currency and finance? By the eloquence and bound- less activity of Hamilton the Constitution was put through and then by his aid the impover- ished country was placed on the road to pros- perity.

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Governor Sheble Settles Coal Strike was the heading which next met my gaze, and I was about to read more, when the lodge door opened, the vision vanished, and I was K. 0. 5-65? 33 led from the Wigwam in a half-unconscious state, by my friends, who had become alarmed at my long absence, and traced me to the place. I. RAYMOND PECK.

Page 31 text:

Never were the needs of the country so clearly perceived as by that great statesman who was characterized by his unflinching cour- age, his persistent devotion to duty and his high scorn of anything petty or mean. To Sumner more than to any other one man this country owes the prevention of war with Eng- land and France, when such a war would have meant the disruption of the Union. And what shall we say of Lincoln and Grant? How well it has been said, Une may set up a pole and mark notches upon it and label them with the names of Caesar, Crom- well, Napoleon and even VVashington, and may measure these men against each other and dispute and discuss their respective places. But Lincoln cannot be brought to this poleg he cannot enter in any such competition. Not necessarily because he was greater than any of these men, for before this could be asserted how is greatness to be estimated? VVith Grant we are all familiar, though perhaps as a general better than a statesman, but his iron will, indomitable courage, tireless patience and a persistence and pertinacity that knew no li1nit, characterized him as a states- man also. He left behind him a record of achievements in behalf of his country, which might of itself have entitled him to fame had he never been a soldier. During his period of service the reconstruction of the Union was completed, the rash proceedings in the South were repressed and the heavy taxes rendered necessary by war were reduced. Chief among his works must also be reckoned the rescu- ing of the nation from threatened repudiation and financial dishonor, and the leading of the way to the restoration of a sound currency. At a time when our relations with Great Britain were strained near to the breaking point, Grant said: I would deal with nations as equitable law requires individuals to deal with each other. In this spirit he sought and secured settlement of all differences by arbitra- tion, which service thus rendered to the coun- try and to humanity was an incalculable benefit. And we must not forget the statesman who said: HI had rather be right than be President -Henry Clay. For nearly half a