Why is George Washington the Most Important American?
A simple letter he wrote on this date (May 22, 1782) is the answer.
Earlier in the month, Washington received a letter from one of his officers, Colonel Lewis Nicola, requesting that the general use the Revolutionary War army to make himself King of the new country...Which Washington could have likely accomplished with little bloodshed. Which would have created an entirely different type of system than was established - it definitely wouldn't have led to our current democratic-republic we have.
(I hope and pray you don't mistake that last sentence with our Democratic and Republican Party's...If you don't understand the difference between democratic and Democratic/republican and Republican please ask.)
George Washington's response is why he isn't just the commanding general who won the war, the first President of the United States, a Founding Father, or one of the great men of our history...His response is why he is the most important American.
No other person in such a position in history took the path that Washington took - think Alexander, Napoleon, or any other kind, emperor, caliph, etc., etc...Washington made a choice to create a nation based on 'the people', not on the 'most powerful person.' A truly incredible and unlikely choice. One every American should acknowledge and thank him for.
Earlier in the month, Washington received a letter from one of his officers, Colonel Lewis Nicola, requesting that the general use the Revolutionary War army to make himself King of the new country...Which Washington could have likely accomplished with little bloodshed. Which would have created an entirely different type of system than was established - it definitely wouldn't have led to our current democratic-republic we have.
(I hope and pray you don't mistake that last sentence with our Democratic and Republican Party's...If you don't understand the difference between democratic and Democratic/republican and Republican please ask.)
George Washington's response is why he isn't just the commanding general who won the war, the first President of the United States, a Founding Father, or one of the great men of our history...His response is why he is the most important American.
"With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment I have
read with attention the sentiments you have submitted to my perusal. Be assured
sir, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful
sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army
as you have expressed, [which are] big with the greatest mischiefs that can
befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could
not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable...Let
me conjure you then, if you have any regard for your country - concern for
yourself or posterity - or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your
mind."
No other person in such a position in history took the path that Washington took - think Alexander, Napoleon, or any other kind, emperor, caliph, etc., etc...Washington made a choice to create a nation based on 'the people', not on the 'most powerful person.' A truly incredible and unlikely choice. One every American should acknowledge and thank him for.
posted by Poison Pero @ Sunday, May 21, 2017
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