The Evening Telegraph

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1869.

Washington's Birthday

The anniversary of the birth of Washington was ushered in, according to custom, by the rumbling of cannon and the ringing of bells. During the day the public offices and banks are closed, bunting is liberally displayed, the veterans of 1812 are holding their customary meeting and passing their usual string of resolutions, some of the beneficial societies are parading the streets, and that is about all. It is not that we are growing lukewarm in our appreciation of the inestimable services rendered to the nation by him who was "first in peace, first in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." The name of Washington is still held in as high reverence by the mass of the American people as at any period in our history. But we have seen, during late years, so much of the pomp and pageantry of war, that the mockery of an army with banners has lost the charm it formerly possessed, and a celebration of the Twenty-second of February after the fashion of a half century ago is therefore quite out of the question. In this and several other States, however, the day has recently been made a legal holiday, and thus the people have imparted to it the highest mark of their gratitude.

In this city, the arrival of the anniversary is associated with an unusual occurrence. Eight years ago this day, Abraham Lincoln, then on his way to the national capital to assume the duties of the high office to which he had been elected by the people of the United States, with his own hands raised the flag, which treason had attempted to dishonor, over the Hall in which the representatives of the colonies had signed the solemn act declaring these colonies a free and sovereign nation. This 22d of February was a memorable day in the history of Philadelphia, one which her citizens will not soon forget. On that occasion Mr. Lincoln defined clearly the platform on which he stood, that of equal and impartial justice to all men, and then proclaimed his readiness to yield up his life rather than surrender these principles. Before he was permitted to serve out the full time for which the people demanded his services at the head of the nation, this great sacrifice was demanded at his hands, and now he lives in history as the one to whom, next to Washington, the thanks of the republic are due, and will be gratefully tendered till the republic ceases to hold a place among the nations of the earth.