e name of Washington ceases
to give currency to injustice and to legalize corruption.... When
we look back upon the eight years of Washington's administration,
it strikes us with astonishment that one man could thus poison the
principles of republicanism among our enlightened people, and carry
his designs against the public liberty so far as to endanger its
very existence. Yet such is the fact, and if this is apparent to
all, this day they should form a jubilee in the United States.

* * * * *

PROVIDENTIAL EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF WASHINGTON

BY IRVING ALLEN

From _The Independent_

At this season of the anniversary of Washington's birth, it seems
especially appropriate to recall certain singular circumstances in the
life of the greatest of Americans--events remarkable in themselves in
whatever light they may be viewed; whether, in accordance with the
tenets of modern Spiritism and, to a certain extent, in harmony with the
doctrines of Swedenborg and his followers in human affairs of departed
spirits; or if, on the other hand, we adopt the simple teachings of the
Sacred Scriptures, and acknowledge the truth with men and their
affairs.

Authentic history records no less than six marvelous instances in which
the life of Washington was saved under circumstances seemingly little
less than miraculous. The first of these wonderful escapes from
impending peril occurred during the period of Washington's sole recorded
absence from the American continent--when he accompanied his brother
Lawrence, then fatally ill with consumption, to the Barbadoes.

_Smallpox_

They sailed in September of 1751, George being then in the twentieth
year of his age. Before the brothers had been a fortnight in the island
the younger, the future hero of the Revolution, was attacked with
smallpox in its "natural" and virulent form. This disease was not then
the fangless monster with which we are familiar, but was terrific in its
assaults and almost invariably fatal; yet Washington recovered in
something less than three weeks, and retained through his life but
slight marks of the malady.

One of General Washington's biographers well says, in reference to this
incident, in the life of the first President, that, "it may well be
doubted whether in any of his battles he was in equal danger. If the
disease entered an army, it was a foe more to be dreaded than embattled
hosts.... But i