Posted on 02/15/2010 4:21:18 AM PST by Pharmboy
CIVILIAN control of the military is a cherished principle in American government. It was President Obama who decided to increase our involvement in Afghanistan, and it is Congress that will decide whether to appropriate the money to carry out his decision. It is the president and Congress, not the military, that will decide whether our laws should be changed to allow gays and lesbians to serve in our armed forces. The military advises, but the civilian leadership decides.
Yet if not for the actions of George Washington, whose birthday we celebrate, sort of, this month, America might have moved in a very different direction.
In early 1783, with Revolutionary War victory in sight but peace uncertain, Washington and the Continental Army bivouacked at Newburgh, N.Y. Troops were enraged by Congress’s failure to provide promised back pay and pensions. Rumors of mutiny abounded.
snip
Washington then opened a letter from a sympathetic congressman, but soon appeared to grow distracted. As his men wondered what was wrong, Washington pulled out a pair of glasses, which even his officers had never seen before. “Gentlemen,” he said, “you must pardon me, for I have grown not only gray but blind in the service of my country.”
The officers were stunned. Many openly wept. Their mutinous mood gave way immediately to affection for their commander.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
There were plenty of skirmishes. Yes it was being worked on, but no guarantees.
As for what the issue was, I think it’s very plain in the article that the point was GW helped avert military control of the government.
Uh, they ARE “civilians”, when it is defined as anyone non-military (strictly speaking).
Always look forward to your comments on these threads...
Well, I have obviously been misled by an insufficient study. I must get some better resource books.
I apologize and stand corrected.
See #24.
I have heard this story numerous times. The only thing that amazes me here is that it appears in the NY Times at all.
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And you are obviously a gentleman...
Yes...if this were published almost anywhere else, I would not have posted it. Anyone who has ever studied a bit about the RevWar or The General would indeed know this story, but since it was in the Times today, I thought it newsworthy.
Ping of interest: George Washington!
History “lessons” (including shows on TV) always gives the *impression* that the war ends with Cornwallis’ surrender.
It’s not as simple as that.
Just another example of how various basic history resources give wrong impressions. I’ve had such impressions on other aspects of history, myself, thanks to these tidy clean-ups. How about “the evil US” concentrated Japanese ethnics in camps for WWII - NOT beloved FDR. Or that Italians and Germans were also rounded up for same?
I meant Napoleon I.
Washington was, even in his life time, the yard stick against which the ‘republican’ leadership in post-revolutionary France was measured.
Napoleon I was keenly aware of the comparisons which were continuously made between Washington and himself. His enemies especially loved casting this comparison in his face.
It was done both during his rise to Empire and during his rule as Emperor. Having come to control on the tide of Republican sentiment, Napoleon hated being held to Republican ideals because, he was in fact a dictator who held and wielded more power than Louis ever had in France. Also, Napoleon I was more forceful and blunt in his methods than any American at that time or since would regard as ‘democratic’ OR ‘republican’’.
Much of the discord between Napoleon I and other (even puppet) officials of his Empire, Marshals, generals and publishers, etc. stemmed from Napoleon’s abandonment of strict ‘republican’ ideals, once he held power. Even some of his family challenged him on this. It was a regular tight-rope act of appearing Republican on the one hand and for example, gagging newspapers, crowning his siblings, etc. on the other.
Yep and given enough time they will do away with even this pitiful remembrance because Washington was an 'evil slave holding white guy'. So who do we in this country give homage to with their own holiday instead? The only American with a holiday? A communist/Marxist that many/most people fall over themselves as to what a great man he was... We are a sick nation.
Kinda puts our everyday 'problems' into perspective.
Oh. Wasn’t meant as a criticism. Just observing NY Times aspect.
Sorry.
forgive my using my Canteen ping list but the story touched me.
It is indeed rare when the libs acknowledge Washington's greatness...I think that February 22nd should be restored as a national holiday, and perhaps when a large number of these pretenders are kicked out in November, we can get that done.
Happy Presidents Day bump.
Thank you, Sandy! God bless the REAL heroes! They are still
being made!
None of this really matters since schools want to start American History as beginning in 1860.
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