The Man Who Would Not Be King (George Washington)

Heritage Foundation ^ | 2/5/07 | Matthew Spalding

[wagglebee]

Without Washington, America would never have won its war of independence; he was the catalyst of the American founding. Even more significant, he proved that republican government was not only possible but indeed noble.

God's Grace surely shone upon our Founding Fathers.

[wagglebee]

Ping

[billorites]

Yo! George!

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Founding Father BTTT

[Sherman Logan]

By year's end, Washington, victorious in war, proceeded voluntarily to resign his military commission.

Crickets chirping.

[Sherman Logan]

Try that again.

By year's end, Washington, victorious in war, proceeded voluntarily to resign his military commission.

Let's run through together the long list of other successful revolutionary leaders who've done the same.

Crickets chirping.

[Uncle Hal]

The current George in the White House could learn some lessons from the first George. If you think the current president has it bad, consider what the founder of our country had to endure. We were not even a nation when he was fighting the British.

[Chode]

[george76]

Without Washington, America would never have won its war of independence; he was the catalyst of the American founding. Even more significant, he proved that republican government was not only possible but indeed noble.

[geopyg]

History Channel is running a "Presidents" special most of the day today. Little snippets of each President.

[george76]

Thanks.

I was watching it for a while.

[ContraryMary]

Read Jeff Shaara's "The Glorious Cause" if you haven't already done so. It presents an insightful view of the figures of that time -- Washington in particular.

[wagglebee]

I've read "Gods and Generals" and "The Killer Angels" which were both excellent, I'll have to get "The Glorious Cause." "John Adams" and "1776" by David McCullough are also great books.

[David_G_Burnet]

Without Washington, America would never have won its war of independence

Not to mention all his pre-Revolution service.

While I was flipping around the other night, I caught part of a program The War That Made America, that dealt Washington's command, at the age of 23, in the French and Indian Wars.

I'm tempted to tape the series, but the fact that it's a PBS show makes me wary. Despite my interest in reviewing the history of that era and the part Washington played, I'm afraid PBS will inject copious amounts of self hating PC-ness and ruin the experience for me.

Before I became painfully politically self aware, I used to enjoy PBS science and history shows. Now they invariably piss me off.

Maybe I should just find a book about it and save myself the heartburn.

It is amazing how large a part Washington played in the formation of this country, and inspirational in recognizing what a difference a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL can play in history.

He was in the right places, at the right times, doing the right things, for such a very long time, that it almost makes me believe in destiny.

[wagglebee]

He was in the right places, at the right times, doing the right things, for such a very long time,

Not just Washington, but also John Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Franklin.

[StockAyatollah]

Even more significant, he proved that republican government was not only possible but indeed noble.

Too bad (dis)Honest Abe screwed up Washington's hard work.

[dominic flandry]

"Washington transformed an underfunded militia into a capable force that, although never able to take the British army head-on . . . ."

Not so. Read about the Battle of Monmouth.

"The mercury mounted to ninety-six degrees in the shade on that scorching Sunday when the battle of Monmouth was fought, and more than fifty men on each side who escaped the enemy's bullets fell by sunstroke. Scarcely fifteen minutes elapsed after Washington reached the front, before the Americans, while under fire, had formed into line of battle. Greene commanded the right wing and Lord Stirling the left, while Wayne held the center, and Knox managed the artillery. The British were soon checked, and then steadily pushed back until the Americans occupied the high ground from which Lee had retreated in the morning."

[Continental Soldier]

What a wonderful post! For all of the reasons mentioned here and for all of the others not mentioned, Washington remains my hero! Much more attention, much more study, much more appreciation needs to be given to this man, the father of our country, the man who could have been king, but chose our republic instead.

[Joe 6-pack]

...And if he ran for President today either of the two major parties would throw him under the bus before his views became too widely known and he became an embarassment...

[johnmark7]

I consider Washington the greatest man, After Jesus of Nazareth, to have ever lived.

His nobility, fortitude, patience, courage, audacity, manners, intelligence, wisdom, understanding, and curiosity are awesome to contemplate in one single man.