George Washington

[Rapier]

George Washington

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For other uses, see George Washington (disambiguation).
George Washington
1st President of the United States
In office
April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797 Vice President John Adams Preceded by None 1 Succeeded by John Adams Commander-in-Chief
of the Continental Army
In office
June 15, 1775 – December 23, 1783 Preceded by None Succeeded by Henry Knox 2 Born February 22, 1732(1732-02-22)
Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia, British America Died December 14, 1799 (aged 67)
Mount Vernon, Virginia, United States Nationality British (at birth)
American (at death) Spouse Martha Dandridge Custis Washington Occupation Farmer (Planter), Soldier (General) Religion Anglican/Episcopal Signature 1 See President of the United States, in Congress Assembled
2 General Knox served as the Senior Officer of the United States Army
George Washington (February 22, 1732[1][2][3] – December 14, 1799) was the first President of the United States, (1789–1797),[4] after leading the Continental Army to victory over the Kingdom of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783).
Washington was chosen to be the commander-in-chief of the American revolutionary forces in 1775. The following year, he forced the British out of Boston, but was defeated when he lost New York City later that year. He revived the patriot cause, however, by crossing the Delaware River in New Jersey and defeating the surprised enemy units. As a result of his strategy, Revolutionary forces captured the two main British combat armies — Saratoga and Yorktown. Negotiating with Congress, the colonial states, and French allies, he held together a tenuous army and a fragile nation amid the threats of disintegration and failure. Following the end of the war in 1783, Washington retired to his plantation on Mount Vernon.
Alarmed in the late 1780s at the many weaknesses of the new nation under the Articles of Confederation, he presided over the Philadelphia Convention that drafted the United States Constitution in 1787. Washington became President of the United States in 1789 and established many of the customs and usages of the new government's executive department. He sought to create a great nation capable of surviving in a world torn asunder by war between Britain and France. His Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 provided a basis for avoiding any involvement in foreign conflicts. He supported plans to build a strong central government by funding the national debt, implementing an effective tax system, and creating a national bank. Washington avoided the temptation of war and began a decade of peace with Britain via the Jay Treaty in 1795; he used his prestige to get it ratified over intense opposition from the Jeffersonians. Although never officially joining the Federalist Party, he supported its programs and was its inspirational leader. Washington's farewell address was a primer on republican virtue and a stern warning against involvement in foreign wars.
Washington is seen as a symbol of the United States and republicanism in practice.[5] His devotion to civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians.[5][6] Washington died in 1799, and in his funeral oration, Henry Lee said that of all Americans, he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Washington has been consistently ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents.

[Rapier]

George Washington's Farewell Address
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George Washington in 1795.

George Washington's Farewell Address was written to the people of the United States at the end of his second term as President of the United States. It appeared in many American newspapers on September 19, 1796. Technically speaking, it was not an address, but an open letter to the public published in the form of a speech. Washington's fellow Americans gave it the title of "Farewell Address" to recognize it as the President's valedictory to public service for the new republic.

In 1792, Washington was prepared to retire after one term as the President of the United States. To that end, Washington, with James Madison, wrote a farewell address to the public of the United States of America. Faced with the unanimous objections of his Cabinet, Washington agreed to stand for another term. In 1796, Washington refused a third term. Starting with his 1792 draft, Washington rewrote the text to better fit the problems that were emerging in the new political landscape. He had much help from Alexander Hamilton, but all the key ideas were those of Washington, not Hamilton or Madison.
Major Themes

Political factionalism

There were three notable themes from the speech. The first theme warned about what Washington saw as a potentially harmful political factionalism in the country. He urged Americans to unite for the good of the whole country. Two political factions had developed into political parties in the early 1790s: the Federalists and the Republicans (later known as the Democratic-Republicans). The Federalists, and Washington himself, backed Hamilton's plan for a central bank and other strong central economic plans based on manufacturing. The Democratic-Republicans opposed the strong government inherent in the Hamiltonian plan and favored farmers as opposed to city people. Washington foresaw that this political polarization would play significantly in the new government, as these two emerging parties attempted to guide the nation and shape it to correspond with their thought.

Foreign alliances

The second theme was a warning to the nation to avoid permanent foreign alliances, particularly in Europe. Both parties wanted to stay out of the wars between France and Britain. The Federalists favored stronger ties with the British, while the Republicans insisted on adhering to the Treaty of Alliance the U.S. had already signed with France in 1778.

Religion and Morality

The third theme was religion and morality, which he called "indispensable supports" of political prosperity. He called morality "a necessary spring of popular government," and stated:

"Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Legacy

The Address quickly became a basic political document for the new nation. It was reprinted as part of the membership paraphernalia of the Washington Benevolent Societies that sprang up after his death in 1799. It was printed in children's primers, engraved on watches, woven into tapestries and read annually before Congress. The Address received widespread fame and became a symbol of American republicanism, the nation's guiding political philosophy. It was used as a benchmark with which to judge the two-party political structure, foreign affairs, and national morality. The Address was invariably cited whenever an alliance was discussed. Not until 1949, with the signing of the treaty that established NATO, did the United States again enter into a permanent treaty of military alliance.

The House and Senate commemorated the 130th Anniversary of Washington's birth by reading aloud his Farewell Address. In a special joint session held in the House Chamber, the House and Senate, along with several cabinet officials, Justices of the Supreme Court and high-ranking officers of the Army and Navy, gathered to listen to the Secretary of State read the address aloud. Eventually, the reading of George Washington's Farewell Address became an annual event for the Senate, a tradition that is still observed to this day.[1]

[AlexdeLarge]

I took this date 28 years ago today, to take my now wife on our first date Wow, where did the years go?

[Nordstrom]

Originally Posted by AlexdeLarge

I took this date 28 years ago today, to take my now wife on our first date Wow, where did the years go?

Not to mention your hair!

[AlexdeLarge]

She was always neat and tidy and kept it short, the way us guys like it Who told you??

[Nordstrom]

My sources shall remain anonymous.

[Zen653]

I find it ironic that the man who brought us our first (and bloodiest, as a percentage of the U.S population) foreign war was also the first president to condemn foreign wars.

I question Washington's commitment to Jesus as the indisputable source of morality. He almost never publicly mentioned Christ and he didn't even exclusively attend churches. During the New York stage of the Revolutionary War, he attended synagogue services as well as church services. Washington, like many of the early theist presidents, believed in natural order and providence, but not so much in the particular precepts of any one religion. Notice that he did not endorse religion in his farewell address - he endorsed religious principles as a foundation of morality. A president would never get away with that today. We hear more about Christ now (from both parties) than we did in 1789.

[bigheadache]

Wasn't he the dude with the false teeth.

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by Zen653

I find it ironic that the man who brought us our first (and bloodiest, as a percentage of the U.S population) foreign war was also the first president to condemn foreign wars.

I question Washington's commitment to Jesus as the indisputable source of morality. He almost never publicly mentioned Christ and he didn't even exclusively attend churches. During the New York stage of the Revolutionary War, he attended synagogue services as well as church services. Washington, like many of the early theist presidents, believed in natural order and providence, but not so much in the particular precepts of any one religion. Notice that he did not endorse religion in his farewell address - he endorsed religious principles as a foundation of morality. A president would never get away with that today. We hear more about Christ now (from both parties) than we did in 1789.

This is a perplexing post. First, what bloody foreign war are you assigning to Washington? America had no foreign wars during his presidency. If you were referencing the Revolution: A) How was that Washington's responsibility? He didn't start it. and B) It wasn't a foreign war at all, it was an internal revolution against existing government. The revolution was a foreign war to the same degree that our Civil War was one.

Then....

I question Washington's commitment to Jesus as the indisputable source of morality

You "question" what commitment? When did Washington ever make such a commitment that it requires questioning? Do you question my commitment to Jesus as my personal savior as well? Do you question Stalin's commitment to Jesus? May we question your commitment to Krom?

In the quote, Washington is addressing what he feels is an element necessary for the proper moral deportment of the population at large, he isn't making any sort of comment about his own religious beliefs, which historians have never been able to figure out. The record is one of Washington attending services less and less as he got older and finally ceasing to go completely. He also made a number of statements indicating that he was for religious toleration, including Muslims and Jews.

But there was never at any point in his life, any sort of public commitment to Jesus for you to question.

[Cochise22]

"Washington, Washington. Six foot twenty ******* killing for fun."

Greatest song about Washington ever. I would post a link but I don't think I am allowed considering the language in the song is pretty bad. Instead of you want to see the amazingness that I am talking about, just go to youtube and search George Washington. It will be the first video to show in the search.

[Zen653]

A) How was that Washington's responsibility?

Washington played a rather prominent role in the Revolution, and had ample opportunity to end the conflict. General Howe offered peace treaties on numerous occasions, caving to nearly every colonial demand other than independence. The Revolutionary War was also not strictly a Civil War. The French and Hessians were militarily involved.

You "question" what commitment? When did Washington ever make such a commitment that it requires questioning?

Many people claim that Washington was an observant Christian. I'm merely noting (a) how references to Christ were notably absent from Washington's speeches and actions, and (b) the irony of American leaders being more visibly Christian today than they were at the end of the 18th century.

[Grandstander]

[quote=Zen653;165205]Washington played a rather prominent role in the Revolution, and had ample opportunity to end the conflict. General Howe offered peace treaties on numerous occasions, caving to nearly every colonial demand other than independence. [quote]


Oh brother....that's it? Washington is responsible for the revolution because he supported it and refused to simply give up on the entire purpose of the enterprise after the Declaration? Are you serious?

Further, one of the greatest aspects of Washinton's leadership as a general was his steadfast acknowledgement of his being subordinate to the civil authority.... and he had lots and lots of temptations to ignore Congress, especially when he was begging them for money, supplies and more troops to accomplish that which they demanded he do with inadequate means. Not once did Washington ever give in and act like any sort of dictator or make any attempt to strongarm the Continental Congress with military threats. His behavior in this regard is outstanding.

So....the man you charge with blood on his hands because he wouldn't give up the cause for which he was fighting, never had the authority to make such a decision, did he? Sustaining or ending the war was always a matter of either a military victory/defeat, or the Continental Congress calling it off. Even if Washington had surrendered his army, the war would still be going until Congress either capitulated or was destroyed.

So, at bottom, your complaint about Washington is that he failed to be a cowardly, disobedient traitor. That puts "blood on his hands?"

[apicalbodscan]

Originally Posted by Zen653

Many people claim that Washington was an observant Christian. I'm merely noting (a) how references to Christ were notably absent from Washington's speeches and actions, and (b) the irony of American leaders being more visibly Christian today than they were at the end of the 18th century.

He was a whole lot smarter than you give him credit for Zen. Unlike the whack job right wing religious zealots you worship, GW had the wisdom and good sense chose not to involve religion with politics and you question his faith? His attendence at church is none of your business anyway.

[SpartacusII]

Originally Posted by Rapier

Religion and Morality

The third theme was religion and morality, which he called "indispensable supports" of political prosperity. He called morality "a necessary spring of popular government," and stated:

"Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

Smart man. Humans, as a race, can't be expected to act with "reasonable morality" (defined in the context of what is popularly accepted at the time, in the situation) just because it is what they "should" do, or it would be best for others. They need a big scary other-worldly threat of eternal damnation to be convinced to act accordingly. An acknowledgement of the limitations of man, not the virtue of religion. Unfortunately, those same limitations allow to be corrupted and abused, but with even more force and influence behind it than a government, grouping of "civilians" or any individual could muster.

[Rapier]

Originally Posted by Zen653

Washington played a rather prominent role in the Revolution, and had ample opportunity to end the conflict. General Howe offered peace treaties on numerous occasions, caving to nearly every colonial demand other than independence. The Revolutionary War was also not strictly a Civil War. The French and Hessians were militarily involved.



Many people claim that Washington was an observant Christian. I'm merely noting (a) how references to Christ were notably absent from Washington's speeches and actions, and (b) the irony of American leaders being more visibly Christian today than they were at the end of the 18th century.

If we listen to Zen, Washington should have ended the war before we gained independence.

Plus we're treated to yet another Christian bash.