A strong Christian, George Washington was first President of the United States (1789–97), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution and during his lifetime was called the “father of his country.”
In the midst of the American civil war between liberals and conservatives, the immoral and the moral, and now a new schism among Republicans dumbing down the meaning of “conservative,” the Father of our County has much to teach us about good government:
GOOD GOVERNMENT SPRINGS FROM THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION BASED ON THE BIBLE
“Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
SECOND TO THE BIBLE, THE WRITTEN WORDS AND ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IS THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND (NOT JUDGES)
“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”
THE PEOPLE (OR THE PEOPLE’S ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES) ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN AMEND THE CONSTITUTION (NOT JUDGES)
“The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.”
JUDGES THAT STRIKE DOWN THE PEOPLE’S WRITTEN LAWS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL THEMSELVES
“Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.”
HAVING A STRONG (NOT IMMORAL) MILITARY IS THE BEST WAY TO AVOID WAR
“Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all. … To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.”
THE MORAL SPLIT BETWEEN PARTIES MEANS WE ARE NO LONGER A CHRISTIAN NATION
“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.”
PRESERVING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS A TOP PRIORITY OF GOOD GOVERNMENT
“I beg you be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution.”
FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ANOTHER TOP PRIORITY
“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
NO ELECTED OFFICIAL OR PUBLIC SERVICE SHOULD CUSS
“The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.”
HONESTY IS A VIRTUE WE SHOULD DEMAND AND EXPECT IN ELECTED OFFICIALS
“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”
A PUBLIC OFFICIAL MUST PROMOTE THE PUBLIC’S GOOD ABOVE HIS OWN
“I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.”
TRUE CHRISTIANITY DOES THE RIGHT THING IN GOVERNMENT
“I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe, that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction.”
A GODLESS PEOPLE CANNOT SHAPE OR MAINTAIN GOOD GOVERNMENT
“Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.”
Quotes of Founding Father George Washington, 1st U.S. President (1789–1797)
WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY TIMELINE:
> February 1732 – George Washington is born. The Julian “old style” calendar, which was used at the time, marks his birth date as February 11.
> 1752 – The Gregorian “new style” calendar is adopted, putting Washington’s birthday on February 22.
> 1789-1797 – Washington’s birthday is celebrated on both days while he is president.
> 1885 – February 22 is designated as a federal holiday to honor Washington’s birthday.
> 1968 – Congress passes the Monday Holidays Act. Existing federal holidays will now be observed on Mondays, to give government workers three day weekends. After much debate, Congress rejects combining Washington’s and Lincoln’s into one Monday called “Presidents’ Day.” The bill goes into effect in 1971. Source
> The bill went into effect in 1971 and deemed that “Washington’s Birthday” would be moved from February 22 to the third Monday in February. Source
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