On this date (Dec. 23) in 1783, Gen. George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief of the American Revolutionary Army, rejecting the possibility of a crown and willingly sacrificing power many lesser men longed to possess.
When he tendered his resignation to Congress, Washington delivered a short speech which, though so brief, revealed a great deal about him as a leader and as a man. More importantly for our purposes, it revealed Washington's hopes and aspirations for the future of the new nation for which he was the indispensable Father.
"I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence -- a diffidence ... superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our Cause, the support of the supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven," Washington began.
This sentence captures Washington's purpose in accepting the command to begin with and tenaciously carrying it out to the end. He persevered even through many times when it seemed as if the British would certainly win. He believed with all his might in the cause of liberty, in the power and justice of the United States, and in the patronage of God. If we could be so dedicated to liberty and the Constitution, and so confident in God's aid, what could we not accomplish in our fractured and chaotic nation now?
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Washington, a devout Christian who firmly believed in America's identity as a Judeo-Christian nation, repeatedly referred to God and heavenly aid in his speech, in fact. "I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commending the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping," Washington said at the close of his speech.
It is rather ironic that Washington referred to this as the close of his official life, since he would soon after head the Constitutional Convention and then serve as our first president. But he has often been compared to the Roman Cincinnatus because, like that ancient leader, he was always willing to lay down his authority to return to his farm and only accept power again when it was necessary for the public good. He truly was a leader of integrity. If only more politicians now would take Washington as a model.
As a further testament to Washington's integrity, and illustrating another quality for us to imitate, the resigning general praised "the assistance I have received from my Countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous Contest...[especially] the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the Gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the war." Many of these men -- including John Fitzgerald, William Lee, Alexander Hamilton, Stephen Moylan, John Glover, and the Marquis de Lafayette -- have their own inspiring stories.
Washington was the indispensable man, but a general is nothing without an army. In our own day, American patriots too often rely on politicians to do all the heavy lifting of political and societal reform. We the People must take more responsibility.
As George Washington celebrated Christmas in 1783 by completing his patriotic task with honor and fervor before spending the holidays with his family, we too should take increased devotion to the cause of liberty even amidst our festive parties and gatherings.
