The sacred tradition of George Washington, a gift to every president and to all Americans

About 227 years ago, in 1797, George Washington – our first American president – ​​also became the first American president to voluntarily cede the presidency to his successor. At the time, this was unheard of. For much of human history, transitions of power have been messy, violent affairs.

The list of European wars of succession runs into the hundreds, with kings and emperors serving for life, only for their heirs to inherit entire nations in bloody conflict. At the time Washington tendered his resignation, Bavaria and all of Austria had only recently emerged from such wars.

A contemporary revolution in France he was seized with terror and confusion. Africa and Asia have been plagued by almost constant conflict. And five of the 10 deadliest wars in history were Chinese civil wars, costing tens of millions of lives.

Inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States, April 30, 1789. Also present, from left, are Alexander Hamilton, Robert R Livingston, Roger Sherman, Mr. Otis, Vice President John Adams, Baron Von Steuben, and Gen. Henry Knox. Original artwork: printed by Currier & Ives. (MPI/Getty Images)

America had been founded, in part, as a rebuke to all that terror. The Founders rejected monarchy—the idea that God anointed any man or family by birth to rule by violence over others. Instead, they embraced a radical idea: humans are endowed by their Creator with inherent, unattainable value. That Creator gave them individual rights—among them “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” And government exists not to enforce the power of autocrats, but to guard the rights of individuals.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1796, PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON GIVES HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS

For the first time in history, a major power was formed on the idea that government exists”by, by and for peopleMoreover, those who intended to run that government were simply administrators of entities set up to protect the sovereign rights of peoples. When the terms of the representatives have expired, they must not name their heirs or cling violently to the wheel of the state. They must, like Washington’s spiritual predecessor, Cincinnatus, lay down their swords and peacefully hand over power to those who will then serve in their place.

At least three times Washington had the opportunity to personally derail this project. During the revolution, he was granted almost unlimited authorities – similar to those of Roman dictators. Many suggested that once he won, he should ascend as king, a suggestion he strongly rejected. A few years later, his soldiers and officers proposed a similar rise to power only to be rebuffed once again.

George Washington, c. 1803/1805. Artist Gilbert Stuart. (Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)

And finally, after the Congress that established our modern Constitution ended in 1787 and the states subsequently ratified the document, Washington was the first (and the last) man to assume the presidency by unanimous consent in 1789. He set all the precedents for the office—including adopting humbler titles and clothing than others suggested and dramatically limiting his own powers. Then, after only eight years, he voluntarily (and to everyone’s surprise) decided to retire… setting a precedent of two-term presidents that would last until Franklin Roosevelt.

THE SURPRISING LESSON GEORGE WASHINGTON COULD TEACH US TODAY

King George III, upon hearing of Washington’s plans to retire, said, “If he does, he will be the greatest man in the world.” He was. More than that, he became one of the greatest men in history. The founder of a nation. General of an army that won an unwinnable war. Undisputed and universally admired civilian leader. The one man in this new United States who could have united the nascent republic.

And the one man, who by his restraint and civility cemented his great traditions, enabled him to engage in the most important experiment in self-government in history, and empowered him to flourish in the most powerful country in the world.

Washington was so admired that his farewell address, apart from the Bible, was the most popular book in America between 1797 and the Civil War.

The signature on an original handwritten version of George Washington’s Farewell Address sent to Alexander Hamilton for his comments on May 15, 1796. (John Carl D’Annibale/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)

When he retired, it was unthinkable that a man with such power would give it up for the good of others. But he did, and in doing so, set a precedent whereby America and its leaders were forever committed to the peaceful transfer of power, limitations on the national executive, and acceptance of the democratic process. Moreover, that single example and the radical growth, innovation, and prosperity it unleashed have revolutionized governance systems around the world.

WHY GEORGE WASHINGTON IS THE PRESIDENT WHO TOWERS ALL OTHERS IN STAGE AND IMPORTANCE

Today, American-style representative government is more common than not. Peaceful transfer of power is more common than not. Billions now live empowered, not crushed under, their leaders. And autonomous societies are usually richer, more beautiful, and more powerful than their autocratic enemies. This is a human triumph. It is a spiritual one. It is also one for which our nation’s Founding Father deserves no small measure of praise.

The United States is now closing in 250th anniversary. I transformed the world. I gradually worked to address the evils and imperfections that remained once the initial revolution was completed. We remain the richest, strongest, most pluralistic and freest nation in history. We were the “city on a hill” that our leaders so wanted us to be.

With the help of our democratic allies, we slayed the fascist and communist monsters of the 20th century and created a Pax Americana that helped lift billions out of poverty and made the post-World War II era (apart from the civil horrors of of Stalin and Mao) to be historical. the most peaceful. And in our 248th year, we will once again transfer power from one executive and Congress to another, please, in peace.

But we all feel that the Republic is broken. The constitutional limits established by the Founders and guarded by our forefathers have been stretched and strained by those who, as Lincoln once articulated, “(thirst) and (burn) for distinction; and… they will have it, either at the expense of emancipation. slaves or the enslavement of free men”.

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Our citizens are now more diverse and divided than ever. Our most recent decade was marked by violence, riots and unrest. And our elections – so fundamental to the persistence of self-governance – are marred by delays, disruptions and widespread questions of legitimacy.

Will we endure? In 2024, it’s an open question. No democratic republic has lasted so long. We are in uncharted waters. And history has shown us that even the most carefully constructed systems of government—America’s first—rely on great leaders to avoid the temptations of power and embrace the humility of service.

As we approach the selection of Washington’s 46th successor, we would all be wise to consult his farewell address. We would be wise to be skeptical of power, to demand restraint from our leaders, to remind those who govern that they are servants, not masters, and to demand the integrity and civility of those from whom great offices pass. We should insist on a government of rights, not to rule. And, as Washington encouraged, we should “observe good faith and justice toward all nations; to cultivate peace and harmony with all”.

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Our choices are a sacred right and responsibility. Let’s approach the last poll before our quarter-century celebration with integrity, enthusiasm and reverence. Let us pray that those who emerge victorious will do so with honor, humility, and a deep dedication to the character and principles to which our founder so aspired. Let’s hope they lead, as another world changer,”With malice towards no one with charity for all”.

Let’s promise to treat our fellow citizens with love and respect when the election is over. And let us hope that those who hand over the reins of the state do so in the great tradition of a great man who showed us that true courage and character is shown not so much in claiming power, but in gracefully letting it pass.

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