Today is George Washington's 287th birthday. Back when I was in school, it was a holiday. It may be just another ordinary day now, but it is still certainly a suitable occasion to reflect upon Washington's greatness of character and how he molded the office of the presidency - and how far that office has fallen in character and dignity now, 45 presidents later. One simple point of comparison, which says so much is just a few words (something Washington was good at) was our first president's famous letter to the Jews of Newport, RI, which includes the following still very relevant sentiments:
If we have wisdom to
make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot
fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and
happy people.
The citizens of the
United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to
mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy—a policy worthy of
imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of
citizenship.
It is now no more that
toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people
that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for,
happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no
sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under
its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all
occasions their effectual support. …
May the children of the
stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good
will of the other inhabitants—while every one shall sit in safety under his own
vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.
May the father of all
mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our
several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly
happy.
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