The Example of Our First President

The Atlas Society - The Center for Objectivism ^ | 2/22/2004 | Edward Hudgins

[Ed Hudgins]

From the Archives:
The Example of Our First President
By Edward Hudgins

February 22, 2004 -- George Washington unfortunately has become a cliché. For an older generation, he was too often treated as such a mythic figure that it was difficult to appreciate his true importance. In today’s politically correct society many treat him as a white, male oppressor. Most of us celebrate his birthday by shopping the sales at the mall. This is not a bad use of our time, but it is appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the real greatness of the real Washington and the moral lessons he taught us.

Washington exemplified the spirit of early America. He was in his heart and for most of his life a farmer and an innovator who developed new crops and agricultural techniques. He valued the production of wealth as a worthy goal in life. But he also understood that the freedom to produce often must be fought for.

Washington was the general who won America’s independence from Britain, then one of the world’s strongest powers. It was an incredible feat. In 1777, when he marched his 12,000 ragtag volunteers to winter camp at Valley Forge, their prospects were as bleak as the bitter weather. Some 2,000 men died from the brutal cold and from sickness. But the volunteers persevered in large part because of Washington, who forged them into a formidable army. He was no great orator but he had the inspiring words of Thomas Paine read to his frozen troops: “These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and...

[AmericaUnite]

Ping.

[Pharmboy]

Thanks, Ed Hudkins for the post, and AmericaUnite for the ping. This is a fitting tribute to the character of The General on what would have been his 278th birthday.

I thought it fitting to have him with his horse Nelson, of whom it was said had almost as much battlefield courage as the General:

Mr. John Hunter, an English visitor to Mt. Vernon in 1785, in a letter to a friend makes the following reference to the horses:

"When dinner was over, we visited the General's stables, saw his magnificent horses, among them "Old Nelson," now twenty-two years of age, that carried the General almost always during the war. "Blueskin," another fine old horse, next to him, had that honor. They had heard the roaring of many a cannon in their time. "Blueskin" was not the favorite on account of his not standing fire so well as venerable "Old Nelson." The General makes no manner of use of them now. He keeps them in a nice stable, where they feed away at their ease for their past services.'"

[Pharmboy speaking now] Washington was one of the best young horsemen in Virginia, and on that account he was invited to Lord Fairfax's fox hunt when he was only 16. He impressed that circle because he almost always led the hunt.

His father died when he was ten years old and his mother decided to run the farms and businesses on her own with young George's help. Mary Ball Washington (Lucille Ball was a distant relative) was known at the time as the best horsewoman in Virginia as well a one tough customer.

If you folks get a chance, it is worthwhile to visit Fredericksburg, VA and see the Ferry Farm (across the Rappahanock) where young George grew up, Mary Ball Washington's house and Hugh Mercer's Apothecary shop (Gen. Mercer died a hero's death at Princeton).

[Pharmboy]

I was remiss in not giving a citation for the John Hunter quote, and I beseech you, my dear Freepers, for forgiveness.

It came from the Valley Forge FAQ.

[Pharmboy]

Happy Birthday General Washington ping...

[Ed Hudgins]

Thanks for the posts guys! Here's a statue of Cincinnatus, the Roman stateman who left his plow to become elected dictator, defeated the barbarians attacking Rome, then put down his sword and returned to his plow. He was the model for Washington and many of the Founders, as well as for Washington's statue at the Virginia State House.

[EDINVA]

We’ve turned into a nation of summer soldiers and sunshine patriots. Hopefully, a new awakening is not only brewing, but will blossom and grow to effect a return to the founding principles.

Happy Birthday, President Washington!

[the OlLine Rebel]

“...he marched his 12,000 ragtag volunteers to winter camp at Valley Forge, their prospects were as bleak as the bitter weather. Some 2,000 men died from the brutal cold and from sickness.”

Ah, but there is a relative myth itself. Valley Forge was certainly no worse than Morristown, which is forgotten despite 2 encampments there, including 1 truly horrific blizzard-y Winter. The main thing about Valley Forge (besides a major “National Park” to promulgate it) is a) Von Steuben came and trained the troops and b) Monmouth next Summer, confirming that training and turning things around (even though Monmouth is also often forgotten).

[the OlLine Rebel]

“a nation of summer soldiers and sunshine patriots.”

Wow, you’re less cynical than I.

I see it as most Americans hate America - they’re NEVER “patriots”.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Wasn’t Mercer a NJ man?

[Pharmboy]

Hugh Mercer was a Scotsman who fought in the Battle of Culloden (as a physician, he more or less ministered to the wounded) but was sought by the Brits since he was in the battle, as the Brits tried to hunt down everyone who fought them after Culloden. Mercer then came to America (1747 or so) and went to western PA, where he was a physician, but also an Indian fighter as part of the local militia (many of the Germans who settled western PA were pacifists so they had to import fighters).

At any rate, he met Colonel Washington during the French and Indian War campaign that ended with the Massacre on the Monangahela (Daniel Boone and Dan Morgan were also there) and thereafter became disenchanted with PA because of their pacifism. He wrote Washington about VA, and settled in Fredericksburg, married a woman of Scots background and had 5 children with her (one of his descendants was General George Patton).

Mercer was a terrific field commander and fearless fighter, and died fighting six Redcoat infantrymen at the battle of Princeton. He was bayonetted several times and died 3 days after the battle in the Ford Farmhouse still standing at the site.

Mrs. Mercer was pregmant with her 5th at the time of his death (a son). All the Mercer Counties in the US (we have one here in NJ) are named for him.

[Pharmboy]

The Ford Mansion is the name of Washington’s Headquarters in Morristown; the Clark Farmhouse is where Mercer died. Sorry ‘bout that.

[aculeus]

Good old 2/22 the real birthdate of George.

And ... bttt!

[Captain Jack Aubrey]

Yes, and that is a plow at Washington’s feet and a large fasces on which his sword is hanging.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasces

Although he is in uniform, he holds a citizen’s cane in his right hand.

Behind him through the open doors to the Old House Chamber you can see the back of his best friend’s son. [I say this not for your benefit but for those who might not know.]

[the OlLine Rebel]

“one of his descendants was General George Patton”

I was aware of that (as well as his role in the RevWar), but this is hardly ever mentioned in shows, etc, about Patton. Always his grampa or whomever from the Civil War, even though he was of lesser importance.

[the OlLine Rebel]

“...best friend’s son.”

Who’s that? I don’t even know who his best friend is, besides Fairfax!

[SunkenCiv]

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[Captain Jack Aubrey]

The best friend was Major General Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, governor of Virginia. "From 1799 to 1801, he served in the United States House of Representatives of the Congress. He wrote the famous phrase used by John Marshall in the address to Congress on the death of Washington "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.""

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Lee_III

The son, Robert E. Lee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee

[the OlLine Rebel]

Ah. I never thought of Lee as a best friend....