GEORGE WASHINGTON, FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY

by Jonathan A. Ward

In honor of February’s Presidents Day I’d like to share a glimpse into the life of George Washington, gleaned from volumes of information. He was born on February 22, 1732 in rural Virginia. Early in life Washington demonstrated a devotion to principle. At about age 14 he wrote a personal “Rules of Civility” containing 110 guidelines which he practiced throughout his life. Among his ethos were these two – his first and last ones:

“RULE NO. 1: Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.”

“RULE NO. 110: Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Ce[les]tial fire Called Conscience.”

In his 20’s Washington joined the Virginia militia and rose to the rank of Colonel. He distinguished himself in the French & Indian War. At the Battle of Monongahela, while ill with dysentery, his forces were ambushed. In the clash Washington had two horses shot out from under him and his hat and coat were pierced by bullets. He was unhurt and able to rally his troops to form a rear-guard and instigate an orderly retreat. 

After that war Washington served eight years in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Over time he became a proponent of American sovereignty, and to England he was a rebel. Later the Continental Congress made him the commander of the American Army in the Revolutionary War. Washington himself seemed a catalyst for the cause of American independence. Can you imagine the forces in play which would inspire Americans to gamble their lives and properties to fight the British, a world power? Washington won some battles and lost others, but in the end he was able to force a surrender at Yorktown and our nation was born. 

Because of his stellar reputation, after the war Washington was elected presiding officer at the Constitutional Convention. Later he became the only American president to be elected unanimously by the Electoral College. He served as president for two four-year terms and helped develop our federalist government and set our country on course to become respected and powerful.

Amazingly, along with his military and political accomplishments, Washington was a surveyor, estate manager, farmer, miller, equestrian, fine dancer, whiskey distiller, and a chancellor of William & Mary University. He was over six-feet tall and noted for his physical strength and fearlessness. Washington was a 20-year vestryman in the Anglican Church. He served as a Master Mason in his local Freemason Lodge. He disdained drinking alcohol to excess and would not tolerate profanity — dang it!

After Washington died on December 14, 1799, his friend Alexander Hamilton wrote, “If virtue can secure happiness in another world, he is happy.” Washington biographer Douglas Southall Freeman wrote, “The great big thing stamped across that man is character.” Historian David Hackett Fischer defined Washington’s character as “integrity, self-discipline, courage, absolute honesty, resolve and decision, but also forbearance, decency, and respect for others.”

And lastly Henry Lee wrote, “Washington was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”