The soldiers had returned home from a desperate and even existential struggle. Their officers were subjected to a vitriolic smear campaign by members of Congress and allies in the press. Their material needs went uncared for, the soldiers were sent home “without a victory parade or even a statement of thanks for their years of sacrifices and sufferings.” A scandal plagued former military officer had been elected to Congress, from which position he did all he could to denigrate the commanding general in the field.
The year was 1783 and the Republic trembled in the balance. Fortunately, General George Washington was much more the ancient Roman than a roundhead:
The general and his aides took designated seats in the assembly chamber. The president of Congress, Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania, began the proceedings: “Sir, the United States in Congress assembled are prepared to receive your communications.”
Mifflin had been one of the generals who attempted to humiliate Washington into resigning during the grim winter at Valley Forge. He had smeared Washington as a puffed-up egotist, denigrated his military ability, and used his wealth to persuade not a few congressmen to agree with him. A few months later, Mifflin was forced to quit the army after being accused of stealing millions as quartermaster general.
Addressing this scandal-tarred enemy, Washington drew a speech from his coat pocket and unfolded it with trembling hands. “Mr. President,” he began in a low, strained voice. “The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I now have the honor of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress and of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.”
Read the whole thing. Marvel at how much that we now take for granted depended upon the actions of a very few noble men.
Where are men like this today? Not to sound like a nattering nay-bob, but I have despaired over the flourish of ne’er do rights, rank opportunists and foreign policy nit wits running for president. They say a country has the government it deserves, I fear they may be right.
Lex, Will our “leaders” follow the example of a REAL LEADER, George Washington? Thank you.
-Grumpy
Cincinnatus! Garibaldi! Juarez!
When will we learn?
I did just get back from reading the whole thing. I had read shorter versions of the whole thing, when I was a kid in school, and had it pointed out to me that George coulda been a King, but turned it down.
Just thinking about that still raises my hackles, and I’ll be 60 soon.
World-Historical, as that Spengler fella was wont to say.
Lex, as I looked at what you were talking about with George Washington during the Revolutionary War. From both my Mother’s and my Father’s families, they have been in this Great Country since before the Revolutionary War. Back then, both families fought in that war and none were considered, “favorites of the King.” The neat thing about this time was a riddle, it actually acted as a password to the secret meetings of this new Nation. The person was asked, “Can you tell me, is it the King is law? Or is it the Law is King?” If you answered, “The law is King.”, you were right and brought into the meeting. The President was always expected to follow the law. Failure to follow the law was construed as tyranny. Tyranny shall forever be our enemy, no matter who commits it. These are the lessons of a REAL LEADER, a man by the name of George Washington.
As always,
Grumpy
And he was like that until the end. Noble in the purest sense. Reading gift book now called:
“Gen Washington’s Christmas Farewell- A Mount Vernon Homecoming” by Stanely Weintrub.
b2
Justthisguy, I have an idea of what it is like to be pushing 60, I am there. I can remember one day, my Father heard one of his friends say, “Did you ever notice how many of the old-timers are dying off?” He said, “Will you shut the __________ up!” We are the ‘old-timers’!” The irony is this, he was my age. He was a person who pushed me to read many books, many were biographies or autobiographies. He also pushed military history. He never talked to me about any of the books, he always tooked WITH me.
One day as a boy, I complained about doing “homework”. This consisted of reading books, doing book reports and writing essays. He came up behind me and said, “Son, You figure once you get out of school, no more homework! Wrong! Homework is something you will do until the day you die. He was right.
Thank you, for your input.
As always,
-Grumpy
Such strength of character we sorely need to face the perils of coming days.