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NEWS AND VIEWS THAT IMPACT LIMITED CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT

"There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with
power to endanger the public liberty." - - - - John Adams

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Washington's Birthday and the decline of America

The Greatest Man in History.
 From Caesar to Cromwell to Bonaparte, other generals in history have overthrown their Republics and created military dictatorships.  Not Washington.  He was true to his word.


George Washington:  February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799


By Gary;

Another "President's Day" has passed.  My two cents:   Screw President's Day.

The way Americans "honor" Washington's birthday to a direct insult to the memory of Washington himself and a symptom of the decline of this nation.

To bottom line things, modern Americans don't give a crap about the Father of their Country.  Instead of showing even a small, token amount of respect, people today plaster Washington's image on crappy ads to sell shoes, used cars and mattresses.   Celebrating his birthday does not even come to anyone's mind.  Local events or parades are virtually non-existent.

To add insult to injury we do not even "celebrate" Washington's birthday on his birthday.  To insult Washington Congress created a phony pretend holiday on a Monday.  Now selected workers would have a three day weekend to go to the beach or to the local casino or just sit on their butts with the remote control in hand to watch endless re-runs of cable TV crap.

From the leadership down most people no longer care.  Nearly everyone is self-absorbed.

With the Revolution over General Washington returns his commission to Congress. 

On George Washington:

“Perhaps no man in this community has equal cause with myself to deplore the loss.  I have been much indebted to the kindness of the General, and he was an Aegis very essential to me…  If virtue can secure happiness in another world he is happy.  In this the Seal is now put upon his Glory.  It is no longer in jeopardy from the fickleness of fortune."

Alexander Hamilton
Letter to Tobias Lear, January 2, 1800




On George Washington:

"His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision. He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man. His temper was naturally high toned; but reflection and resolution had obtained a firm and habitual ascendency over it. If ever, however, it broke its bonds, he was most tremendous in his wrath."

"In his expenses he was honorable, but exact; liberal in contributions to whatever promised utility; but frowning and unyielding on all visionary projects and all unworthy calls on his charity. His heart was not warm in its affections; but he exactly calculated every man’s value, and gave him a solid esteem proportioned to it. His person, you know, was fine, his stature exactly what one would wish, his deportment easy, erect and noble; the best horseman of his age, and the most graceful figure that could be seen on horseback."

Thomas Jefferson
Letter to Dr. Walter Jones, January 2, 1814




"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing 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."

"Who is there that has forgotten the vales of Brandywine, the fields of Germantown, or the plains of Monmouth? Everywhere present, wants of every kind obstructing, numerous and valiant armies encountering, himself a host, he assuaged our sufferings, limited our privations, and upheld our tottering republic."

General Henry Lee III
American Revolutionary veteran.  Delivered his famous eulogy on Washington before the two Houses of Congress on December 26, 1799.   (First in Peace)




“The strength of his character lay in his integrity, his love of justice, his fortitude, the soundness of his judgment, and his remarkable prudence to which he joined an elevated sense of patriotic duty, and a reliance on the enlightened & impartial world as the tribunal by which a lasting sentence on his career would be pronounced."

"Nor was he without the advantage of a Stature & figure, which however insignificant when separated from greatness of character do not fail when combined with it to aid the attraction. But what particularly distinguished him, was a modest dignity which at once commanded the highest respect, and inspired the purest attachment."

James Madison



On Washington leaving office in 1797 to John Adams:

“President [Washington] is fortunate to get off just as the bubble is bursting, leaving others to hold the bag. Yet, as his departure will mark the moment when the difficulties begin to work, you will see, that they will be ascribed to the new administration.”

Thomas Jefferson
John Adams had the unenviable task of succeeding the revered Washington at a time of national division.

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