Washington major force in shaping country

I spent six hours last week with the first president of our great nation. Or at least the History Channel’s retelling of George Washington’s story.

Most of us grew up in a classroom with a portrait of George Washington on one side of the blackboard and Abraham Lincoln on the other side. We celebrated Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12 and Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22. Today we just jam the two together under the name Presidents Day for the purposes of a federal holiday.

We were taught that Washington was the father of our country because he led the Continental Army to victory over the British in the American Revolution. After watching the three-night miniseries I think we all need to be reminded just how important he was in shaping our country.

After getting passed over for promotion in the British military, Washington left with a bad taste in his mouth about the British Empire — something King George and his generals would come to regret.

He wasn’t the highest level of society and wealth, but he wasn’t poor either, especially after he married Martha. He was keen on private property rights, which didn’t set well with the British way of thinking.

Once called on by his countrymen to lead the revolution, Washington never wavered. The deck was really stacked against him as he started without an army and was expected to go up against the greatest power in the world.

He persisted through long odds and got lucky more than once. He chalked those times up to “providence” as he crossed his whole army over the river in the dead of night during a snowstorm to surprise his foes.

He overcame a lack of supplies and pay for his troops to quell a rebellion within the ranks. Once he had the backing he needed he moved quickly and boldly.

He helped write the new country’s constitution after the war, then prepared to return to his farm. His nation called again and he answered the call to serve as the first president.

He was the only president to be elected unanimously and the only president to spend nothing on his campaign for election. Many thought once in power he would turn the country toward monarchy or dictatorship. The idea that people could think that of him infuriated him. He worked overtime to prove how wrong they were and to put the country on an all-new path that would endure for over two centuries.

I can’t help but think where we might be today if George Washington had given up or just taken the easy path on the way to our independence. Our country and even our world would be a different place.

Karl Terry writes for Clovis Media Inc. Contact him at:

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