What George Washington and Abraham Lincoln teach us about Politics today! Their words continue to resonate! Think about this think about what Bush is doing!
That any of us are disgusted this president's day should be no surprise after the disgrace Bush has brought to the office and to America. in the past I have done posts on our past Presidents and the fact that we have been in almost constant war since our founding. I have been questioning the motives of our Presidents and the fact that Bush is the war monger in chief and will go down in History as such and the President who attempted to destroy the world. I came to the conclusion that there are only two President's whose intentions I can be relatively sure of and set my focus on them. I was pleasantly surprised when the only mention of Presidents Day I found focussed on them The parallels amazed me but for the contrariety and contradistinctions.
On Presidents Day I want to focus on two of our best, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln! What they teach us about Politics today! This will really make you think about the legacy of our next President because thanks to Bush their top concerns will be that of both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. As a result On this President's Day holiday it is helpful to look back to George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's time for perspective.
The top concerns Washington faced in 1789 were war, the economy and epidemic health issues. The top concerns confronting Lincoln in 1861 were a looming civil war, creating an economy that would benefit the entire country, slavery and promoting an ethical government. Do some of these issues sound familiar? Washington's biggest challenge was healing the country after the American Revolution. We forget that not everyone wanted to secede from England and there was disagreement over how to treat the "loyalists."
While Washington took office after a major war, Lincoln's entire presidency was focused on another. The Civil War dominated his presidency and the economy for four years. Lincoln took office in 1860; Lincoln and Washington's Presidency
Words of presidents continue to resonate!
The Issue: Except for the Chief Worm Today: We honor those who have served in the highest seat of power — the presidency of the United States. Our Opinion: The words of two of our greatest presidents —George Washington and Abraham Lincoln — still have meaning for us today. The legacy left by these heads of state can be found not only in their actions but also in their words.
We recall quotes from George Washington, the nation’s first president, and Abraham Lincoln, who led the nation through the tumult of the Civil War. Their remarks still have meaning today:
"The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.” — from Washington’s address to the Continental Army before the Battle of Long Island on April 27, 1776.
“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.” — from a speech Washington gave to his officers on March 15, 1783, in which he urged them to give up their desire to overthrow the government because the Continental Congress had not kept its promises concerning their salaries. At Washington’s urging, the officers accepted the authority of the Congress.
“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.” — from Washington’s first inaugural address on April 30, 1789, when he outlined the challenges that lay ahead for the fledgling nation and its experiment with democracy.
“At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” — from an address given by Lincoln to the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Ill., on Jan. 27, 1838.
“Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” — from Lincoln’s address at the Cooper Union in New York City on Feb. 27, 1860, prior to being elected president.
“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” — from Lincoln’s first inaugural address on March 4, 1861 in which he tried to reach out to the southern states that
were threatening to secede from the Union. Nearly six weeks later the Civil War began.
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” — from Lincoln’s second inaugural address on March 4, 1865. Six weeks later he was assassinated. Their words continue to resonate
* I am stunned that this all applies to us today but in regard to our own Government! I was really surprised to hear that George Washington had to quell a rebellion of his officers as they wanted to overthrow the Government. He also said: At what point is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach's us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
Wow! Are we ever in trouble and George Washington knew the danger would come from within. Unbelievable!
James Joiner
Gardner Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com
