Update from Sep. 7, 2005

I recently finished a biography of George Washington entitled His Excellency by Joseph Ellis. The book was very informative and one I would recommend. It was more factual than the books I remembered reading as a child and dispelled some of the myths associated with the “father of our country.” In fact, the book removed almost all that I remember about our first President. Apparently he did not have wooden teeth and there is no record of the cherry tree story so often associated with this founding father. However, there is much to be remembered about him that is substantiated by fact and that is extremely important to the nation in which we live.

Washington was recognizable among the founding fathers by his stature. He was taller than the average person and had an aura of leadership about him. The author reported that there was no question as to who would be selected as the first President of the young nation.

Washington was not from a wealthy family but he did marry into a wealthy family when he married Martha Custis. He went through a period of time when he spent money rather foolishly by ordering the latest gadgets and ornaments from a London merchant to decorate his Mount Vernon estate. However, he did prove to be a very wise farmer and among the first to diversify his crops which increased his wealth and separated him from others like Thomas Jefferson who became poor and lost his estate.

I was inspired as I read about the founding fathers who pledged their lives and their fortunes for the cause of freedom. They were not soldiers or mercenaries but mere men committed to righting a wrong. George Washington became a soldier fighting with the Continental Army where he experienced many embarrassing defeats. The biographer never claimed that Washington had any uncommon military prowess as he lost more battles than he won. However, he was doggedly determined to achieve success in the American War of Independence which he did.

He was forty-three years old when he rode out of Mount Vernon toward Philadelphia to assume command of the army in the longest declared war in American history. “He was fifty-one when he returned on Christmas Eve, 1783, the most famous man in the world.” “The character of the man and the character of the nation congealed and grew together during an extended moment of eight years.” The author says; “he was not clairvoyant about history’s destination but he realized from the start that wherever history was headed, he and America were going there together.”

The thing that was most uncommon about George Washington was the thing that qualified him in my opinion to be honored as the Father of our Country. The defining quality was his tenacity in holding to the ideals of democracy. There were many who wanted to make him King after the War of Independence. There were also those who wanted to retain independence among the states. But, Washington’s eight year experience at war convinced him that a central command was needed. He was also humble enough to not get caught up in the heroism and egotism which could have led to the establishment of another monarchy and postponed or ended the chances for the establishment of a new form of government.

I was further enlightened by Washington’s love of farming. He loved Mount Vernon and his whole estate included several thousands of acres with a diversity of operations. Even when President of the United States, they said he loved to hear about the farming operation and what was going on at home.

The First President of the United States and the Father of our Country prided himself in being a farmer! He also committed his life, his fortune, and his personal goals to the greater good and a much more lofty goal and ideal—a free nation with democratic rule.

I hope there are still those among us who are willing to subordinate their personal interests for the common good. When they do, common people can produce uncommon results.
Peace!