Today is the actual birthday of the greatest American who ever lived. Students aren't taught much, if anything about George Washington anymore and all most people can say about him is that he had wooden teeth and chopped down a cherry tree. What a pity. Without George Washington, there would be no America.
As Commander of the Continental Army, he possessed the two traits absolutely necessary for success. First, he learned from his mistakes and second, and more importantly, he refused to quit. Along the banks of the Delaware, at Valley Forge, at Morristown, he refused to admit defeat and an argument can be made that it was Washington's willpower alone that transformed the united colonies into the United States.
After victory was secured, came his greatest moment. With his officers restless about not being paid and bitter toward Congress for its lack of concern about the army's welfare, there was talk of marching on Philadelphia to take control of the government. Washington met with his officers in Newburgh, New York in an attempt to persuade them against carrying out their inflamed passions. His words did not convince the hard-bitten soldiers, but when he pulled a pair of spectacles from his pocket to read a reassuring note from a Virginia congressman, he said, "Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service and now Ifind myself growing blind." This gesture, symbolizing the meaning of sacrifice, hit the mark. To continue from A. J. Langguth's Patriots:
Tears welled up it the eyes of many of the men. Washington finished reading the letter and left the hall. When he had gone, the assembled officers voted unanimously to express their confidence in the Congress and to ask George Washington to continue as their spokesman.
In December of 1783, Washington resigned his commission to return to his farm. After two terms as President, he voluntarily left the office. Imagine, a political leader who sees public service as a duty and not a career. Now imagine one who warned against "foreign entanglements" and party politics and you may begin to appreciate George Washington.
King George III proclaimed that Washington "would be the greatest character of his age" if he voluntarily surrendered power and gave up the Presidency. King George almost got it right: George Washington was the greatest character of his age--and every age since.
For further reading on George Washington:
His Excellency by Joseph Ellis
Patriarch by Richard Norton Smith
The Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner
Patirots by A. J. Langguth. An excellent history of the Revolution, this work is the best book that I have ever read, period. A review will appear in the near future.
Dear Mr. Gisriel,
As you can perhaps imagine, I await
your judgment on "Patriots." We are
certainly agreed on your evaluation
of George Washington. A few years
ago, I published "Union 1812," which
begins with Washington's return to
Mount Vernon after the war and includes
the scenes of his death.
I've come to feel that not only was he
one of the greatest Americans but that,
in the history of the world, few figures
can compare with him. Perhaps because
he is home-grown, or because of the
familiarity of his face on our most
common paper currency, or because Pastor
Weems did him no favors by inventing
stories of his virtue, but Washington
is seriously undervalued these days.
I'm hoping that your web site and many
more like it will redress the injustice.
All best wishes,
Jack Langguth
Posted by: A. J. Langguth | February 22, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Mr. Langguth, I am pleased and honored that you would submit a comment to Baseball, Life, & Other Stuff. Thanks for adding your insight on George Washington.
Posted by: Austin | February 22, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Considering how influential George Washington was to our country it is amazing and a bit disheartening to realize just how little most Americans actually know about him. And can we please put the cherry tree myth to bed once and for all?
Posted by: Melissa Dodge | February 22, 2009 at 06:14 PM