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It’s ‘Washington’s Birthday’: Here Are His 5 Most Important Warnings to Congress

Feb. 18, 2013 8:45am Becket Adams

George Washingtons 5 Most Important Warnings to Congress on Presidents Day

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Although commonly referred to as “Presidents’ Day,” Feb. 18 is legally recognized as “Washington’s Birthday” (his actual birthday is Feb. 22).

However, as the Washington Examiner notes, we don’t dedicate this day to Washington because he is the greatest U.S. general (he isn’t) or even the greatest president (the case can certainly be made for others). No, though Washington’s performance in both categories is deserving of high praise, we honor him for the precedent and example he set.

“He held the proverbial ring of power, and he gave it up of his own accord,” the Washington Examiner notes.

“Washington’s selflessness separates him from lesser men who won much greater military victories but were vanquished by the temptation of power — Julius Caesar before him and Napoleon Bonaparte afterward.”

He refused this power because he believed in the cause of the republic.

Understanding the pitfalls of organized government, Washington in his 1796 farewell address to Congress urged U.S. lawmakers to guard against unnecessary wars and racking up unsustainable public debt, among other things.

Considering the fact that the nation’s capital has in recent years become a spectacle more deserving of mockery than praise, perhaps it’s worth revisiting some of his warnings to Congress.

–

On the Constitution:

The White House

This government … has a just claim to your confidence and your support.

Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty. The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.

But the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.

On ‘Progressive’ Ideas:

‘George Washington’ by John Trumbull

Towards the preservation of your government … resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the Constitution, alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown.

In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that for the efficient management of your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable.

On Political Parties:

history.com

Let me now … warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism.

But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

On War:

‘Washington Crossing the Delaware’ from the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art

Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.

[...]

The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. … The Nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the Government, contrary to the best calculations of policy.

The Government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives.

The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of Nations has been the victim.

On Public Debt:

sonsofthesouth.net

As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it, avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertion in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear.

The execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is necessary that public opinion should co-operate. To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind that towards the payment of debts there must be revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic embarrassment, inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties), ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time dictate.

So there you have it. Enjoy “Washington’s Birthday” (which is technically Feb. 22). Without him, we probably wouldn’t have the Constitution or, you know, a United States of America:

–

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Featured image Getty Images. This post has been updated.

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Comments (221)

porkandbeanz
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 3:37am
The skill is the reason I watch, also because your GW.

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ainthurtinnobody
Posted on March 6, 2013 at 10:09am
Beautiful principles to live by as a Nation. Sad to say I don’t see either party living up to them and only possibly a few individuals. You know in famous 12 step programs they say a person and in this case a Nation has to hit bottom before a change will take place. There’s just something psychological that happens that apparantly can’t be duplicated any other way (or maybe I’m wrong on this point). Some thought we reached that bottoming on the last market crash but I for one don’t think so. It was scary but only a few really felt it. So we probably will be given another opportunity. Hopefully we’ll turn and not become just another Greece or Rome.

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avo7100
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:05pm
Yo Publiuspencilman
Since you read history, you know that slavery was a socially acceptable norm at the time. Is there a reason we have to point at the behavior of the Founders as particularly more repugnant than that of other societies at the time? Since you read history, you probably also know one of the goals of some of those signing the Constitution was to set a goal of eventually eliminating slavery.

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CTLO
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:17pm
Well worth noting that many of us, white and colored alike – have slave blood in us. Africa had black and Arab keeper and marketers of slaves. So too in Europe, where many did not carry last names until well into the 1500′ss and 1600′s.

The biggest barrier to black slaves was the perception that they were too irresponsible and childlike to conduct themselves as free men. You know, that if freed, blacks would become dependents of the state. That their lack of moral character would have the men fathering children out of wedlock.

Where ever did such myths get started?

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- Jim S
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:30pm
  ..this is why some people think we need diversity training…2 steps forward….
  
  Report this comment
1SFG
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:05pm
Forget Lincoln who was “only revered after his death” George Washington IS the greatest American ever! There would have been no country for Lincoln to loose without George Washington!

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Bodacious_Boedi
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:40pm
George was a slave owner…..something else we ignored. I don’t think they belong in the Oval Office…..not sitting behind The Desk, anyway.

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kristieswisher
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:50pm
“My dear pencil guy – Values – morals and principles do not change over time just because a population becomes “more enlightened””

You mean like the values, morals and principles used to justify slavery, indian removals and massacres, violent opposition to Catholic immigration, segregation, denial of the vote to women, etc.?”

No PUBLIUSPENCILMAN–He means the God’s and the Bible’s morals, values, principles….the 10 commandments…which take precedence over any societal/human situation you can name in the past or in the future. God does not change and neither do His morals, values, principles, which we, who were created in His image, are to abide by in our lives. But then again, only the God-less, argue against God’s ways…

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solo1
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:38am
Its Washington Birthday, Not Presidents Day.
On PDay Washington and Lincoln are used as props in idiotic advertising but somehow Martin Luther King isnt selling mattresses or Hondas.
There ought to Washington Birthday Observed, Jeffersons Birthday observed, Licolns Birthday observed.

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Chuck T
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:36am
“Towards the preservation of your government … resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the Constitution, alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown.”

Is there any wonder why the progressives (communists by another name) don’t want our history taught or our traditions perpetuated? Washington was the paramount model and example for a national leader unlike any before him. He truly was the right man for the time and the job. We could certainly use his type again now.

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CHRISTOPH3R
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:44am
Ok. First let us end this ridiculous debate about slavery and what that has to do with America today.

1. There are no slaves in America.
2. There are no slave owners in America.
3. Slavery was not invented by Americans.
4. Slavery was not invented by “white” people.
5. 625,000 “white” Americans died to free four million slaves.
6. Freed slaves went on to become a very large, empowered, entitled,educated (don’t forget “free”) population.
7. 848,000+ Americans (including black Americans) have died, since, fighting to free other enslaved or oppressed peoples.
8. Except in Africa.
9. Africans still enslave (or outright slaughter) other Africans.
10. Not one former slave or decendant of slaves has raised a voice in opposition to this.

So, enough about “white” people and “black” people. There is no such distinction anymore. Put your hand on this screen. Go ahead. Are you “white?” No, you are not. You are just “not as dark” as other people. So, get over the race card (?) and be YOU!!!

What does this country need? YOU!!! Whoever you are. It needs YOU to be FAIR, HONEST and MOTIVATED!!!

Nothing else.

HONOR

INTEGRITY

COURAGE

This is the core of a successful people.

Dishonesty…lack of integrity…cowardice…THIS is the only enemy. Redraw your perceptional boundries around principles…not people.

Choose a side.

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santababy52
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:00am
For those who are making historical statements about what George did or did not own, or participate in or any other statement that we are to believe as fact rather than opinion, please state your source so you can at least validate your comments with truth. Honestly, there are more differing comments about Washington and his slave ownership and his rights to be or not to be considered a worthy example for President’s Day simply amazes me. He is worthy whether he owned slaves or not. From the history that I have read “The Real George Washington”, I believe the man was a great leader. Was he perfect? No, but he is the best we’ve ever had. I may change my mind after I read the new book out on Coolidge by Amity Schlaels, but for now, he’s my favorite choice.

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stotlaat
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:54am
Like errant children, enemies of our nation do just the opposite as he advises. There must be a purpose for doing that!

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jcfortcollins
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:34am
Please…someone there at the Blaze read the works of this man http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Freneau ……particularly http://hiwaay.net/~becraft/FRENEAUbanking.html the latter link seems to be the path we are now going down…..all laid out in warning for those who have eyes to see

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TeaPartyisFreedumb
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:23pm
Wow. This Publius character is crushing you ding dongs.

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USA5
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:18pm
To offer a bridge of what may be considered liberal Age of Light/New Age to Conservatives….
Many Age of Light churches recognize President George Washington as a high soul and as Saint Germain a Master.

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The Third Archon
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:29pm
“Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.
[...]
The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. … The Nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the Government, contrary to the best calculations of policy.
The Government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives.
The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of Nations has been the victim.”
Well we’ve **** on THAT advice completely–ESPECIALLY ‘conservatives’! Probably one of the better things he’s had to say too.

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The Third Archon
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:27pm
“Let me now … warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism.
But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.”
Yeah, THAT advice was taken to heart–they didn’t even make it outside the founding era before they had federal political parties! Now in fairness to the founders, the study of comparative politics was nascent in their time, and they were really going out on a limb with many things, so one can hardly fault them for not having a power of clairvoyance that WE lack.

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The Third Archon
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:23pm
“But the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.”
The power of the People supersedes that of the constitution, and of any constitution or formalism attempted to be imposed upon Its living will. The Constitution’s continued existence and power is only at the pleasure of the People, and if in act of sovereignty we should decide to shrug it off and seek a new one, or an alternative method of running our affairs, we shall and can do so without a second thought, and no provision of any law, even constitutional, has the power to stop without our acquiescence, Indeed, it is not the law that keeps society relatively free from lawlessness–it is the acquiescence of the majority of us to it that does so, for most of us RECOGNIZE the RESPONSIBILITY that comes with our POWER.

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LeoNine
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:24pm
Politicians, who have not kept check on the temptation, who have any lacked moral education to KEEP such a check on the temptation to Purchase votes, by misusing tax-payer money are the genuine culprits in the mess we are in. If we do whatever BHO says, we risk a set-back to human progress that only huge natural disasters usually provide.

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naugresherdalu
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:11pm
Does anyone understand why we are having this pitiful discussion on slavery? It’s probably because February is black history month. The only time of the year that you will hear heated discussions about slavery is in February. Aside from complaints of poor education (which can be blamed directly on unionized teachers) and poor access to jobs (which can be blamed directly on poor education), the black man in America has only one other thing to complain about and that is slavery, which was legally done away with a long time ago in this country. I do wonder why they keep bringing it up. Most of the black people living in America today have never even met a person that actually knew a black American slave. The majority of the blacks that you hear about (liberal media) are nothing but pawns of the progressive left, used to generate hate and discontent, particularly within their own communities. These northeastern liberal enclaves have the black people in this country convinced they are disenfranchised by the powers that be when they actually have it quite good. Here I am going to make some people pretty mad, particularly this publieuspencilman, but his progressive puling does nothing but encourage political slavery in this country. It is a shame but the progressive liberals have placed American blacks into slavery. Granted they don’t have to be productive, they are just given a very good living free, in return for voting a straight liberal democrat ticket!!

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- Jim S
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:12pm
  well it’s not the discussion that’s pitiful..it was the slavery…our First President owned and bought people, chained them for market. At the same time he saw the horrible conditions the English forced colonists to live under and wanted freedom, all the while not seeing the horrible conditions he was forcing people to live under. He was a man of his times and slave ownership was the norm and his vision of “rights” applied only to white folks, not the beasts of burden who maintained his estate. Of all the greatness of our nation and it’s founders and leaders and people. I’m white and never owned a slave and feel no obligation to right right a wrong I didn’t commit to people who are no longer here. However, I am old enough to remember black/white bathrooms on a trip to Virgina and N. Carolina in the late 50′s-early 60′s. Why could Washington see his own “slavery” to the King and not the slaves on his land? Our nation has a few large sins,slavery, Native Americans and Japanese camps. On a day when we should look back on our history and the men who have led us, none of it is pitiful..it just is. We cannot learn from what we don’t know, great men like great countries have flaws..to ignore them would be pitiful. Lets not focus on just the highs or lows but acknowledge the whole. We live in a great country and have had outstanding leaders, today we remember..good !
  
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Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:53pm
All This slave talk…I want some restitution for the Slavery of my Scottish Ancestors.
Can I get Food Stamps,free housing,and free medical care?

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- santababy52
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:20am
  I read Thomas Sowell’s book “Ever Wonder Why?” and he reminded his readers that slavery is as old as humanity and that the term itself “slave” came from enslaving the Slavic people but I forgot who he said enslaved them. Sorry I cannot state my resource since my Kindle Fire is no longer able to charge :(
  
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- Jim S
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:21pm
  @santababy52
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:20am
  I read Thomas Sowell’s book “Ever Wonder Why?” and he reminded his readers that slavery is as old as humanity….TRUE…so was following the King’s orders, subject yourself to the crown, pay the taxes/tariffs with representation ..that was the way it had always been..and then the colonies started acting up..the question asked and not answered ..how could you see YOUR slavery, correctly!, and not see your slaves? It was our founders defiance of what had “always been” that separate them from the rest. They didn’t mind slavery when it filled their pockets only when some was removed from their pockets. That they took the first steps to a FREE nation for all men,ruled by law, led by themselves is their unparallelled greatest in human history…but they did it with Negros in chains back home. History, if correct, is like a Irish wake..you laugh and cry, remember the good times and a few rough ones..but it’s all history. On President’s day you can remember or forget. It’s wrong to apply current social/legal standards to past generations, it’s correct to acknowledge the history itself.
  
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BARACKOBAMAisaRUSSIANROBOTOIDclone
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:43pm
reating adheavise friction annointing the importance of this contry’s free market and constitution like electromagnetic intrusion inclusion to inforce therse are real, rules and laws like jaws i cut ya head off sleepy hallow. swallowed by augustus on his throne as i rep new shalom and The Justice i seek to bring to the very wealthy congress members is the splendor rupturing their nerve centers to wake them up to Gods laws as written in the constitution as laws that can never be changed like a photochemical exchange im rearranging the light photon particles so nice for those whom do not seek to protect the laws of our contry will simply lead to your own death stealth chained on my belt will be felt sweltering hot lava java coffee hell yall best be well.. for you see,beyond your illeterate belligerent,understandings of the world economic view which is only understoods by the free maket captialism econ minds of the solomn few, not all you satin/lucifer/jezebel jerkoff circle sessions which got u running into your own deception of death for that will be the gloo u will forever be stuck to, for,my end will be faster than russian woodpecker weather controlled diasters, , consider this the rapture i handle the beast so easy as Jesus created all the demons and seamen that control all you, i control all them for there is nothing you can do to stop the advancement of freedom and to allow justice to prevail and forever sail

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John_K
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:26pm
How can The Blaze have credibility when it can’t get the teaser right? Presidents Day is the consolidation of Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays so as to not give two holidays in February.

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- santababy52
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:12am
  That’s what I’ve always believed. When I was in elementary school back in the 60′s, I remember February always learning about Washington and Lincoln (which I learn now was mostly history revised by progressives), and seeing the silhouettes of both presidents tacked to the bulletin boards and I knew that Lincoln’s was the 16th and Washington the 22nd. Those were test questions! I wish history had been taught better then and now. I LOVE it now and I have discovered that so much of what I learned is not even true, and the fact that Washington had slaves, is difficult to accept, but there are many things about modern presidents that I have learned that seems so much worse! If you consider the eugenic beliefs of Wilson and the things he did to perpetuate racism, I believe he would happily have been a slave owner had it been legal. I am reading Roosevelt and Wilson right now by Judge Napolitano and am learning some very interesting things. “Evil” comes to mind. Wilson and Obama are like twins in their ideology.
  
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Bill1776
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:52pm
Our founding fathers were Christian they came into these parts to further the kingdom of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If Christ had not come there would be no United States of America. That is a fact not not an opinion!

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- TeaPartyisFreedumb
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:25pm
  Nope. That’s an opinion.
  
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- Jim S
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:24pm
  ..the Taliban with a fish on the tailgate…great…
  
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neverending
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:46pm
Such an incredible and amazing humble man. If only we could have leaders that were 1/10th of what he was we would be lucky.

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- USA5
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:07pm
  Yes He Was!
  
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