Posted on 02/22/2004 3:12:16 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
During the past three decades, knowledge and appreciation of George Washington have declined to an all-time low.
One survey has revealed that Washington's coverage in history textbooks has declined by 90 percent since the 1960s. One high school textbook has only a paragraph on George Washington but more than two pages on Marilyn Monroe.
For that reason, his birthday today is an appropriate time to remind ourselves about his wonderful contributions to America, which resulted in his being known as the "Father of his Country."
It is even more appropriate at a time when we constantly are looking for role models.
Consider Washington's greatest services in the creation of our country:
For 81/2 years, he commanded the Continental forces, which won our independence.
He presided over the constitutional convention that produced the document under which we live, and without his support it would not have been ratified.
He became the first president of the United States.
Washington was a magnificent horseman and looked every inch a general. He was one of the wealthiest men in America, yet he pledged his life, his future, his beloved Mount Vernon and his sacred honor to win our freedom. At one battle he stopped his retreating army, turned them around and fought the British to a draw.
The Marquis de Lafayette described the effect of Washington's arrival on the tired, discouraged, beaten men: "His presence stopped the retreat. His fine appearance on horse, his calm courage, roused to animation by the vexations of the morning, gave him the air best calculated to excite enthusiasm."
Lafayette also recalled how later he "rode all along the lines amid the shouts of the soldiers cheering them by his voice and example and restoring to our standard the fortunes of the fight. I thought then, as now, that never had I beheld so superb a man."
After the war, no one knew whether the 13 states would separate into different countries or become one nation. The government under which they lived was basically a league of states absorbed in their own concerns.
The country found it impossible to operate under this type of government, and a constitutional convention was called.
Washington was already a legend.
As John Adams said: "He made every crowned head in Europe look like a valet. Noble, incorruptible, Olympian in war, sagacious in peace, he was the ideal man to preside over the convention."
The Constitution that the founding fathers created was absolutely new and revolutionary for its time. To create it was one thing; to get it ratified by the states was another. Washington's support was essential to its passage.
As he said: "It is too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted, perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained.
"If to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disprove, how can we afterwards defend our work. Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair."
Once the Constitution was ratified, most of the European powers felt there was no question it would be a failure.
They underestimated the first president. He guided the nation through its first eight years and set it on a course that has lasted to this day.
Washington's last service to his nation was to retire after two presidential terms.
To paraphrase what has been written before, there are two roads: one to absolutism and another road to democracy. On the first we see Napoleon and emperors, perpetual presidents, Mussolinis, Hitlers, Maos and directors of the proletariat advancing to band music to the death of political freedom.
On the other road, to democracy, there is a solitary figure in a rusty blue and buff uniform hasting to the happy halls of Mount Vernon.
All hail to Washington. First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.
--Frates Seeligson is a lawyer, rancher and former member of the Texas Legislature.
I'm sorry I;mnot sure what SPOTERP History Founders means
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