Our nation observes “Presidents’ Day” in February, now jointly honoring Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Some even extend the commemoration to all presidents. However, American Patriots still recognized the anniversary of Washington’s birth on February 22 (1732).
Our historian friend Matthew Spalding, notes: “Although it was celebrated as early as 1778, and by the early 19th Century was second only to the Fourth of July as a patriotic holiday, Congress did not officially recognize Washington’s Birthday as a national holiday until 1870. The Monday Holiday Law in 1968 — applied to executive branch departments and agencies by Richard Nixon’s Executive Order 11582 in 1971 — moved the holiday from February 22 to the third Monday in February. Section 6103 of Title 5, United States Code, currently designates that legal federal holiday as ‘Washington’s Birthday.’ Contrary to popular opinion, no action by Congress or order by any President has changed ‘Washington’s Birthday’ to ‘Presidents’ Day.‘”
Furthermore, calling the day “Presidents’ Day” diminishes George Washington and elevates presidents who are far beneath his standing. Whereas Washington honored his oath “to support and defend” our Constitution, modern Democrat Party presidents have undermined it at every turn. None have measured up to Washington’s character.
Heritage Foundation’s Carson Holloway writes, “George Washington stands out, even among men of the caliber of the founders, for the greatness of his character. … Specifically, [it was] his self-command, which prevented his ever taking any political step on impulse, without carefully weighing its consequences for the country. … George Washington had trained himself from young manhood in the discipline of his passions. They were always well-governed, and this made him uniquely qualified to govern others, even when compared with the intellectual luminaries of that intellectually luminous generation.”
At the end of the Revolutionary war, rather than anoint himself king, as some speculated he might, General Washington chose instead to return to his Mount Vernon farm. When King George III heard from his American-born portrait painter, Benjamin West, that Washington would retire rather than take power as a sovereign, he reportedly replied, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”
Fortunately, Washington was later persuaded to return to public service as our nation’s first constitutional president. The man known as both the “Father of Our Country” and its “indispensable man” set the highest standard for presidential character.
In fact, Washington was unanimously elected to serve as the commander-in-chief of our Continental Army. He was unanimously elected as president of the Constitutional Convention. He was unanimously elected as our first president, and he was unanimously reelected to a second term as president. But he voluntarily relinquished each office once his work was completed. His was not a quest for power and titles; he was governed by strength of character, love of country and family, and foremost, his devotion to American Liberty.
So with that in mind, and in honor of and with due respect for our first and greatest president — and arguably our nation’s most outstanding Patriot — we include two quotes from George Washington that best embody his dedication to Liberty and God. The first from his First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789, and the second from his Farewell Address, September 19, 1796.
“The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American People.”
“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.”
These quotes aptly sum up The Patriot Post’s mission and purpose.
You can read a more detailed account of George Washington’s life and service here.
Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776
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