Wicker Lession of George Washington Appropriate Today

WICKER: LESSON OF GEORGE WASHINGTON APPROPRIATE TODAY
REPORT FROM CONGRESS
By Congressman Roger F. Wicker

July 5, 2005

I followed with interest the Discovery Channel's recent series of programs chronicling the "100 Greatest Americans." While I questioned some of the choices, I was pleased with the five finalists announced last week. Ronald Reagan finished first in the final vote of viewers, followed by Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. All five are outstanding figures in American history, but my online vote went to George Washington - the father of our country.
During these days when we celebrate our nation's independence, I believe it is particularly appropriate and instructive to consider what makes Washington such a giant figure in our history.

THE OBVIOUS CHOICE

In his outstanding book, "1776," preeminent historian David McCullough writes in great detail about the challenges Washington faced. When he assumed command of the Continental Army in 1776, he was only 43 years old. As McCullough points out, "Washington had been retired from military life for 15 years....He had never led an army in battle, never before commanded anything larger than a regiment." Fully mindful of his limitations, Washington nevertheless stood head and shoulders above the rest and was the obvious choice for command because of his leadership, courage under fire, and the force of his personality.

Washington also had to contend with a lack of popular support. He never had the backing of more than one-third of the colonists. Another third of the population were loyal to the King, and the rest were indifferent.

LONGEST WAR IN U.S. HISTORY

Despite the odds, Washington persevered through another six and a half years of trials before he could claim victory. By the time the longest war in our nation's history ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1873, fully one percent of our population had lost their lives in the struggle.

McCullough states that the rag-tag Continental Army defeated "the best-trained, best- equipped, most formidable military force on earth." More important, the entirely new and unique concept of a democratic republic was established through Washington's leadership. When he assumed the presidency in 1789, Washington was the only popularly-elected head of state on the planet.

'THE GREATEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED'

After the Revolutionary War ended, it was widely believed that George Washington would become the nation's new king. He not only forcefully turned down that idea but went before the U. S. Congress in Annapolis, Maryland, and resigned his commission as head of the Continental Army.

By taking this action, Washington demonstrated that he did not seek or desire power and also established the concept of civilian rule over the military -- a practice still very much in place in our country today. Upon hearing about this event, King George III of England is reported to have said, "If that is true, then George Washington is the greatest man who ever lived."

At a time when Americans are at war in Iraq and Afghanistan and we are being asked by our President to stay the course and be mindful of what is at stake, the enduring history lesson provided by George Washington and the Continental Army is a good one to keep in mind.

http://www.house.gov/wicker/GWAppropriate.htm