[Pyro7480]

What George Washington thought of Guy Fawkes Day.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

He also didn’t want to alienate Catholic France.

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

[Alex Murphy]

...As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form'd for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope--He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain'd, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Circumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered or excused; indeed instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada.

"Don't insult their religion - we need them as allies in our Revolution!" In other words, Washington said to make nice-nice for political reasons, not for religious ones.

[Salvation]

We would do well to heed George Washington!

[Salvation]

George Washington, November 5, 1775, General Orders
George Washington: Letter to the Roman Catholics

George Washington's Prophesy [sic] of America
Happy 278th Birthday George Washington, The 1st and Best President the US has ever had.
The Character of George Washington
10 Things We Should Know About George Washington
The Popes on "the Great Washington"
Where Have you Gone George Washington?
A Few Quotes from George Washington
Mighty Washington: The greatest President
George Washington’s Tear-Jerker
This Day In History February 4,1789 George Washington is elected president

[lack-of-trust]

or you can substitute “RINOs”, “Party Elites” and “Party Establishment” for “Pope” and “Catholics” and offer this same advice to the Tea Party.

[NonValueAdded]

IIRC, Guy Fawkes day was the excuse for a large annual brawl between the boys from Southie and those from Boston's North End. Each would take their effigy to Boston Common and then the games would begin. Uber rabble rouser Sam Adams capitalized on this and one year convinced the leaders of both factions to forgo the brawl and instead join to direct their anger at the British overlords. Sam was the original Community Organizer!

See my 2008 post and follow the link to an excerpt from The Urban Crucible: The Northern Seaports And The Origins of The American Revolution

[Vermont Lt]

I wonder if he would have called a mosque at ground zero childish? I think he would have.

[markomalley]

It is interesting. Curious that he would have paintings of the Blessed Virgin and St John in the "new room" in his mansion at the time of his death, as well (the "new room" is where he received word of his election to the presidency...and the room where he laid in state).

Makes one wonder if the old Jesuit tradition has some truth to it?