“First in war-first in peace-and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and enduring scenes of private life; pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and commanding, his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting.” The words of Congressman and Revolutionary War General Henry “Light-Horse” Lee in his eulogy of George Washington. That’s a pretty tough act to follow. Forty three men have followed. Some have been great. Some have been fair. Some have been, well, not so good. Now ten men and women are asking us if they can have the job.
Washington has the stature that no other president can ever attain. He was one of the men who created the country. He led the Continental Army through the Revolutionary War. He was president of the Constitutional Convention. He was unanimously elected the first president of the United States. He set the precedent of only serving two terms, until Franklin Roosevelt broke it in the 1940s. The 22nd Amendment later restricted presidents to two terms. He supported Alexander Hamilton’s plan for a National Bank, a system to pay the country’s debts with a tax system, and established what became Washington D.C. has the seat of government. Washington didn’t belong to a political party. He supported the views of the Federalist Party which favored a strong central government. He thought political parties would conflict and undermine republicanism. Try selling that idea today. Washington even resisted taking the $25,000 salary ($340,00 today) as president. He relented because he didn’t want the office limited to the independently wealthy who could serve without pay.
Washington did have weaknesses. He and Martha Washington owned hundreds of slaves, even though he knew slavery was wrong. He felt speaking out against it at the time would tear the country apart. He was not strong on foreign policy. He warned against involvement in foreign wars in his famous farewell address. But he also warned the young nation about the dangers of partisanship and sectionalism. I wonder what he would think of our political debate today. I think if I were sitting next to him watching, my overriding emotion would be embarrassment. Name calling, quoting poll numbers, belittling opponents, repeating the same tired lines (see Donald Trump and Marco Rubio). Reasoned disagreement is expected. Calling someone a loser shouldn’t be. Some of this is the fault of reporters who would rather ask “gotcha” questions than press candidates for specifics and demand answers.
Of course, politics and society have changed dramatically since Washington and a group of smart, and flawed men, found common ground and solutions through compromise. But the dignity of our debate should elevate us, not diminish us. While hateful speech is protected, we should expect better from the mouths of those who want to lead us. The next president will not have the support of everyone. No president ever does, and that support will drop over the course of their term. It’s unfair to compare anyone to Washington. But he set a standard that all who follow him should aspire to achieve. That is not easy. Washington knew that. He said, “It’s better to be alone, than in bad company.”
John Adams wanted the president addressed as “Highness” and “Protector of Their (United States) Liberties. Others favored “Excellency”. Adams and Richard Henry Lee wanted a strong title so the president wouldn’t be seen as weak by senators who would try to overwhelm the president. Adams went so far as to suggest “Majesty”. Thomas Jefferson called these suggestions “the most superlatively ridiculous thing I ever heard”. Ben Franklin said they were “absolutely mad”. James Madison suggested “Mr. President”. Washington agreed. He told his son-in-law, “Happily the matter is now done with, I hope never to be revived.” The title Mister, or Madame is used by every citizen. I think Washington wanted to show respect for the office, but didn’t want to appear to out of touch with the ordinary citizen. But, it’s our responsibility as citizens to bestow that title on someone will lead us in the spirit of that first Mr. President.
“He thought political parties would conflict and undermine republicanism.” He was right about that! We have to find a better way. Good article about a great man.