George Washington

Alexander Hamilton, a founder himself, one remarked that the thought of seeing George Washington naked was unimaginable, so even in his own day Washington was already a myth. Forget the cherry tree but accept the notion that Washington was born fully clothed, with powdered whig, and stoic gaze. Yes of course he was a man, presumably handsome and slave owning but I can't get beyond the life-sized cardboard cut out I almost bought for last years 4th of July party. Washington is frozen in time and although I try to envision him talking to his cabinet during the first Presidency or encouraging the troops at Valley Forge my mind cannot animate his god-like image. This does the man an injustice because if there was ever a profoundly great man it was Washington and the American soul could certainly use a boost of American greatness right about now. To highlight how low the United States has sunk in the mind of the world, note that while in France last month a local asked me where I was from and when I said I was an American he said he would pray for me! I think we have forgotten what it is that makes a great President. Let us remember for a moment our history and dream idealistically of a better future.

During the era of the Founders, political office was meant to be a burden, a service, and only undertaken when personal interest was eliminated. Washington exemplifies this ideal. He resisted every office to which he was appointed and only after agonizing reflection, did he accept them. His voluntary, if not desperate, desire to leave the Presidency after two terms established the precedent that held until FDR and removed forever the very real threat that the United States would devolve into a monarchy. This is truly remarkable given the political environment of the day, but most of us forget that Washington actually gave up power twice. The first time was after the end of the Revolutionary War in which he symbolically handed over his commission to Congress and trotted dramatically home. This act alone prompted George III to remark that Washington was the greatest man who had ever lived. Certainly Napoleon was not so disinterested nor so virtuous.

Washington was no intellectual, a fact that embarrassed him his entire life, but the man knew how to make a decision even if it was politically unpopular. He was adamantly against political parties and perhaps naively assumed there was one direction for the country. He warned against getting embroiled in foreign wars and surrounded himself with great intellectuals. Uniquely perhaps, he actually listened to them.

Would listening to Washington, if such a feat were possible, bust my bubble of adoration? Would he stutter or drool or inappropriately grab a body part. Somehow I doubt it. Everyone who knew Washington was in awe of him. Awe is not a word I tend to use when think of our current crop of politicians. Thinking of George Washington brings to the forefront of my thoughts just how much we have lost since 1776.

Interested in learning more, try "His Excellency: George Washington" by Joseph J. Ellis or "Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different" by Gordon S. Wood