Replies

George Washington talked his officers out of a military revolt at Newburgh New York in March of 1783. They hadn't been paid for years and determined that once the Army was disbanded with the coming peace, Congress would renege on its promises of pay and pensions.

General Washington and his men knew better than any member of Congress how ineffective the Articles of Confederation were. They bore the brunt of a government that could not provide the stores, equipment and necessities for an Army to defend the nation.

In return for continued loyalty, General Washington pledged to work toward "complete justice for all of your toils and dangers."

George Washington both shamed them into sullen retreat and promised that with the peace, he would work to correct the wrongs done them.

General George Washington,Head Quarters, New York,July 9, 1776

"The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger -- The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country. "

"The Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty, policy and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the Connection which subsisted between this Country, and Great Britain, and to declare the United Colonies of North America, free and independent States : The several brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective Parades, at Six OClock, when the declaration of Congress, shewing the grounds and reasons of this measure, is to be read with an audible voice."

1st. An indissoluble Union of the States under one Federal Head.

Thanks, but no thanks. That completely refutes the Declaration of Independence. We, the people have the power to reform government as we desire, when we desire, to best meet our needs.

/johnny

Washington writes like a man who had already attained greatness of character before the rigor of war. After war, he has been refined and tempered.

We need to bring him alive to our high school students of today.

...That whatever measures have a tendency to dissolve the Union, or contribute to violate or lessen the Sovereign Authority, ought to be considered as hostile to the Liberty and Independency of America... - Washington 1731-1799

"It is impossible to introduce into society a greater change and a greater evil than this: the conversion of the law into an instrument of plunder." - Bastiat 1801-1850

"Socialism Is Legal Plunder" - Bastiat 1801-1850

"Is there any need to offer proof that this odious perversion of the law is a perpetual source of hatred and discord; that it tends to destroy society itself? If such proof is needed, look at the United States [in 1850]. There is no country in the world where the law is kept more within its proper domain: the protection of every person's liberty and property. As a consequence of this, there appears to be no country in the world where the social order rests on a firmer foundation." - Bastiat 1801-1850

Thanks for posting. Great post. Great thread. Thanks to all posters.