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George Washington is not a hollow, vacuous, meaningless symbol of a far simpler time. George Washington was a man of unquestioned integrity, tremendous leadership skills, true humbleness, and love of his country. He was truly the Father of our Nation. Henry Lee, in his eulogy of George Washington, captured the true spirit of the man:
"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting...Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues...Such was the man for whom our nation mourns."
George Washington was born in 1732 in the British colony of Virginia to aristocratic parents. He could have lived a life of leisure on his plantation. Instead he chose a life of service to his country. He never involved himself in politics. He was a self taught surveyor and soldier. He did his duty on behalf of the British monarchy during the French and Indian War. He was living an aristocratic lifestyle in Virginia during the 1760's when the British Parliament began passing its series of unfair tax acts (Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, Intolerable Acts). This imperious stomping on the rights and liberties of American colonists, led Washington to attend the 1st Continental Congress in 1774. After the opening shot was fired at Lexington & Concord, Washington arrived at the 2nd Continental Congress in military uniform. He was ready to risk his life and serve his country. The Continental Congress appointed him commander in chief of the Continental Army. He held this position for the next eight years of trial and tribulation.
A lesser man would have balked at such an overwhelming life threatening task. Instead, he rode to Boston and assumed command of an undisciplined army of citizen farmers. He led this army through dark days and against insurmountable odds, outmaneuvering, outthinking, and ultimately defeating the vaunted British Regulars and the most powerful Navy on the face of the earth. Despite the lack of troops, lack of training, lack of ammunition, lack of food, lack of supplies and lack of support from the states, George Washington never lost his faith in his troops, his righteous cause of liberty or himself. The two events that embody all of the noble characteristics of Washington and the fledgling Republic were Washington crossing the Delaware to attack Trenton on Christmas night in 1776 and the winter at Valley Forge.
After losing a number of skirmishes with the British in New York and retreating into New Jersey, the morale of Washington's army was at a low point. Soldiers were deserting and re-enlistments were declining. The weather was dreadful and even Washington feared the end of the revolution was at hand. The future of the fledgling country hung in the balance. On the night of December 25, 1776 General Washington and 2,400 troops set out on their rendezvous with destiny. General Washington's password for the surprise attack on Trenton was Victory or Death. No words could have been truer. If Washington's surprise attack failed, the war was lost. The boldness, audacity and brilliance of Washington's plan was representative of the spirit and daring of the Patriots in there desperate struggle for independence. Crossing the ice clogged Delaware River in small wooden row boats in the middle of the night during an ice storm while two supporting groups failed to get across the river was a feat in itself. He then led his troops on a 9 mile march to Trenton. They attacked the Hessians and captured 1,000 out of the 1,500 man garrison. This victory over Regulars in the British Army rejuvenated the revolution. Washington followed this victory with another at Princeton. The Revolution had been in doubt only a week earlier, and the army was on the verge of collapse. With this bold victory, soldiers agreed to stay and new recruits came and joined the ranks.
One year later after losing battles at Brandywine and Germantown, Washington abandoned Philadelphia and retreated to Valley Forge in December 1777 with his weary, ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-equipped and ill-trained army of 12,000 citizen soldiers. Undernourished and lacking boots and uniforms, living in cramped, damp quarters, the army was devastated by illness and disease. Typhoid, jaundice, dysentery, and pneumonia were among the assassins that felled 2,000men that winter. Washington voiced his despair in letter that winter:
"that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place...this Army must inevitably...Starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner they can."
Adequate clothing was scarce. Long marches had destroyed boots. Blankets were in short supply. Tattered uniforms were rarely replaced. At one point these deficiencies led 4,000men to be listed as unfit for duty. A lesser man and citizen soldiers who cared more for their own farmsteads than their country, would have abandoned this seemingly forlorn cause. Instead, Washington and his dedicated patriot soldiers used the next six months to become a true army. Baron von Steuben, a onetime member of the staff of Frederick the Great in the Prussian Army, volunteered to help General Washington turn his men into an army. And this he did. From dawn to dusk his familiar voice was heard in camp above the sounds of marching men and shouted commands. Soon companies, regiments then brigades moved smartly from line to column, column to line and loaded muskets with precision. In June 1778 Washington's Army departed Valley Forge as a cohesive unit ready for five more years of war. These men had forged a fresh spirit towards the birth of a new Republic. They had conquered the weather, doubt, and lack of training through sheer force of will, hard work, dedication and willingness to sacrifice, all for the good of a nation.
After the final victory in 1783, Washington could have become the King of America. Instead he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief and retired to Mount Vernon, reflecting his view that the new government should be a citizen government. He was persuaded to come out of retirement and preside over the Constitutional Convention as its president. His congenial personality and stature as a hero kept the delegates focused on the task. The delegates created the Presidency with him in mind and would allow him to define the office. His support of the Constitution convinced the Virginia legislature and many others to support ratification. Washington was unanimously elected President in 1789 and 1792 by the Electoral College, despite not seeking the position. President Washington proved a highly proficient administrator. A first rate delegator and evaluator of aptitude and moral fiber, he held regular cabinet meetings to deliberate issues before making a final decision. In handling everyday tasks, he was "systematic, orderly, energetic, solicitous of the opinion of others but decisive, intent upon general goals and the consistency of particular actions with them", according to historian Leonard White. He planned to retire after his 1st term but the growing divisions between the newly formed Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, along with the current state of foreign affairs, would tear the country apart in the absence of his leadership and convinced him to serve a 2nd term. He refused to serve a 3rd term, retiring again to Mount Vernon, dying two years later at the age of 67.
This wise, larger than life man was more than a myth. He was genuine human being whose tremendous attributes founded our great Republic. He deserves the utmost praise and respect for his continuous 45 years of dedicated service in creating a nation of and for the people. His writings, speeches and Farewell Address clearly reflect his belief in the Constitution and the American people.
The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon. - George Washington Foreign Policy
The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. -- George Washington
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