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George Washington (2023)

June 15, 1775:  The American Colonies are at war with mother England.  The Continental Congress votes unanimously and appoints one of its members to be commander-in-chief of the colonial army.  Forty-three year old George Washington stood before the congress and said, “I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this room [that] I do not think myself equal to this command I am honored with.”

Eight years later, by the grace of God and the genius of Washington, the war was won, and America, the land of divine destiny, was free.   General Washington did something remarkable. He gave up his power and returned to the private life of a farmer at Mount Vernon.  He was beyond doubt, at that time, America’s most revered hero.

But the country was yet in turmoil.  The existing government, under the Articles of Confederation, was weak. James Madison and others pled with Washington to attend a convention for the purpose of revising the government. Reluctantly, at the call, Washington once again left Mount Vernon for service to his country.

May 15th, 1787, delegates entered the Pennsylvania State House to begin the task of restructuring the national government. No sooner were they seated than Washington was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention.

Five months later, by the wisdom of the greatest minds of that century, the  Constitution of the United States was drafted and sent to the states for ratification.  The debates were hot and furious.  Foremost among the objections to the new system of government was the awesome power of the office of the President of the United States.

Well, the Constitution was finally ratified with the clear understanding that only one man could be trusted with that much power.  And on February 4th, 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected president of the United States.

On April 14th, he once again answered the call and left Mount Vernon with a heavy heart, “… feeling,” he said, “like a culprit going to his execution.”

Sixteen days later he stood on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York.  With a multitude watching, Washington placed his hand on the Bible and repeated the Constitutional Oath of Office:  “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”  And then Washington of his own accord added the following:  “So help me God.”    

President Washington then bent down, and kissed the Bible.

The grand experiment was underway.  

Now, it is a true principle, that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. As Lord Acton said it: “Power tends to corrupt”.  

How many millions of souls have suffered because of those who craved power? How many nations have been torn asunder because of those who refused to surrender power?

Hence, considering the nature of man and the course of history: March 4 1797 is one of America’s greatest moments. 

The Constitution of the United States, and particularly Article 2 – framing the American Presidency – was designed, as mentioned, with George Washington in mind. It carried, as you know by design, no term limits. The president of the United States could serve as long as the people wanted. The Constitution was ratified, and Washington was unanimously elected to 2 terms as the Nation’s chief executive.

As he neared the end of his second term, there were those who pressured him to go on and seek a third term. Many of his countrymen expected Washington to serve till the end of his life. They were, afterall, former British subjects – accustomed to monarchs who served for life. 

Moreover, the grand American experiment was far from completed. There was still much to be done and Washington, himself, felt a sense of anxiety for his country.  Clearly he had every reason to continue in office, yet firmly and unequivocally President Washington announced that he would retire from public life on March 4 1797.  He would not seek another term. 

And when that day came and John Adams was inaugurated in his stead, Washington delivered a short address – his cheeks wet with tears – and then walked away from his power, once more a private citizen. 

When considering the course of history and the present state of world affairs what Washington did on that day was rare and remarkable. He surrendered power. The influence of that compelling example in America’s present peace is incalculable. 

 

Copyright Glenn Rawson 2023

 

“No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency….”       — George Washington, First Inaugural Address