President George Washington
George Washington – (Born: February 22, 1732 – Died: December 14, 1799) served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) and as the first President of the United States of America (1789–1797). For his central role in the formation of the United States, he is often referred to as the father of his country.
The Continental Congress appointed Washington commander-in-chief of the American revolutionary forces in 1775. The following year, he forced the British out of Boston, lost New York City, and crossed the Delaware River in New Jersey, defeating the surprised enemy units at Princeton. As a result of his leadership he was able to hold the small and inexperienced American army together until they achieved victory when the revolutionary forces captured the two main British combat armies at Saratoga and Yorktown. Following the end of the war in 1783, King George III expected Washington to assume his place as King of the new nation. When he was told of rumors that Washington intended to return to his farm; this prompted the king to state, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.” The rumors turned out to be true and Washington did return to private life and to his plantation at Mount Vernon.
In 1787 George Washington presided over the Philadelphia Convention that drafted the new United States Constitution. In 1789 he was elected unanimously as the first President of the United States. In 1796 he refused to run for re-election and served only two terms. In his farewell address Washington cautioned Americans about getting involved in the affairs of other nations and of entering into long-term “entangling” alliances with other nations.
After leaving office in 1797 he retired to Mount Vernon, his plantation in Virginia. George Washington Died on December 14, 1799 from pneumonia. His last words were “Tis Well”. At his funeral Henry Lee stated that of all Americans “he was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen”.
Quotes:
“Farewell Address, 1796: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.”
“Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”
“Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”
“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”
“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”
“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”
“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.”
“The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.”
“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.”
“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world”