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over a free country if America had had or only one great man. George Washington was not the only brave and able man who served us well. There were so many splendid Americans that not even when we read history can we know them all. But we shall read interesting stories of many of them.

Each one gave his own gift to Freedom. The wise gave wisdom in planning. Those who had the gift of

speech, like Patrick Henry, fired the courage of the others. Those who had military genius led the armies, and those whose best gift was obedience made the mighty army to be led. Washington was helped in winning the war by some of the best commanders in history. It is thrilling to read how they took the English by surprise, over and over again, and made the best of their small numbers by using the land right.

Some of these commanders were as young as our brothers who went every day in 1918 from the American camps to France. American boys must all read the stories of George Rogers Clark and of Paul Jones, who were hardly more than boys, but who fought wonderfully.

Washington was helped also in making the Constitution, the plan of our Government, by many wise and unselfish men. We shall read about James Madison and Alexander Hamilton and many others.

Alexander Hamilton had a hard task. He was the Secretary of the Treasury, and there was little money in the Treasury, and there were many different ideas about spending it. But Hamilton taught the little new country how it must manage its money affairs if it wanted to be respected by other countries. He did notable service.

When we read about all these men, and the others who came after them, we find one truly American quality in all. They all had much "common sense." Americans have clear brains. They see things as they are, and think of the right thing to do. Washington was one of the most sensible men of his day, and Benjamin Franklin was another. To be sensible and honorable is the beginning of greatness.

So the beginnings of our country were made by many men, all together, under a great leader whom they had chosen and whom they followed. They all had the same hope, to live in a free country. They all had the same faith, that God helps a righteous cause. They all had the same purpose, to serve the common cause with all their strength, and to die for it if need be.

That is a true democracy. That is what a republic should be. Sensible and honorable people work together under leaders chosen by themselves. They obey these leaders and follow them, not because they are forced, but because the leaders are their own representatives, doing the will of the people.

If all America forever holds fast to this first American way of thinking, we shall conquer all enemies as we conquered the enemy of that day. Let us pray

that America may remain a sensible and honorable people, not led into evil by folly, but choosing wise leaders and following them. Let us all be eager to serve our country, and even to die for her if need be.

Little American citizens must use their common sense with all their might, so that it will grow into real brain power. To be foolish is to be always in danger of being led into evil; to be sensible is to be ready to lead others out of danger.

We little citizens must follow the leaders chosen for us by our fathers and mothers. We must learn as children to be unselfish and obedient, so that when the time comes for us to serve greatly, we may serve with nobility as Washington served.

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the hearts of men who loved freedom, and the Liberty Bell rang for America's freedom, it was heard round the world, and it made friends for the Americans all over Europe. Patrick Henry had said, "There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us."

Patrick Henry was right. Glorious, unselfish