George Washington’s Great Christmas Gift

From reading the title of this post, those familiar with George Washington’s record may be thinking this post will be about the 1776 surprise attack at Trenton or Washington’s leadership at Valley Forge.  The victory at Trenton came at a dark moment when the Continental Army could have dissolved.  Winter in Valley Forge has become symbolic of the trials and tribulations Americans had to overcome in the struggle for independence.  These were very important events in the Revolutionary War and certainly deserve recognition.  But Washington did something much greater after the war ended.

The de facto end of the Revolutionary War came with Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown in 1781.  September-October 1781: Two Critical Months in Revolutionary War  However, the British still occupied New York City and the negotiations to end the war dragged on for two years until the United States finally became an independent nation with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.  The new nation was already at a crossroads in deciding how to govern itself.  Many believed continuing to follow Washington was the safest and most obvious path.  As the victor over a European titan, Washington was respected and beloved above anyone else by most Americans.  Many called on him to become King of America or president for life.  He could have done whatever he wished, assuming whatever power he desired— a tempting option for men of ambition.

In the past, the confluence of popularity and strength was the recipe for the rise of many leaders (and popularity was not essential).  Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, or any number of other charismatic conquerors unhesitatingly embraced the opportunity to wield unchecked power.  George Washington was a true rarity in history, he willingly retired.  On December 23, 1783, Washington arrived at the temporary US capital in Annapolis, Maryland and surrendered his commission to the legally elected American government.  The emotion of the moment became evident in Washington’s speech.  His “voice faultered [sic] and sunk.” and there was “a most copious shedding of tears.” among those gathered.  Washington made clear his understanding that his power as Commander-in-Chief of the army was exceeded by Congress, the elected voice of the American people: “I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commending the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.”  He concluded his remarks with: “Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.”  In essence, he walked into Congress as the most powerful man in America and left a private citizen.

Those present witnessed a truly amazing moment.  George III could not believe Washington would turn down the opportunity to be king and return to private life saying “If he does that he will be the greatest man in the world.”   After seven years of war, the English king finally understood his opponent.  Washington fervently believed that the principles of American liberty were greater than any man or woman.  He believed it was his “indispensable duty to tur over his commission and place AND pace his trust in the authority of Congress.  The latter part displayed Washington’s faith in Enlightenment principles of republican democracy.  He established a precedent that governed the founding generation and every American generation since.  By not taking power, Washington exercised even greater influence than if he had accepted a royal crown.

Washington’s act established a key principal of American democracy.  The Constitution and rule of law are the supreme authorities.  No single person or institution is above the law (Thomas Jefferson claimed George III had made military power superior to civilian authority in the Declaration of Independence: “He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.”)  In the past, the powerful had often exempted themselves from legal sanction/consequence.  In the previous article, I discussed how an absolutist ruler’s word was the law.  Currents in the River of History  No politician, general or other American has ever been as popular as Washington was in 1783.  So if Washington had to defer to the power of the people’s elected government, then no American could rightly claim exception.

Part and parcel of Constitutional supremacy includes the fact that the military is subservient to the government, not the basis of power.  The legitimacy of most governments in history came through military strength.  Kings and emperors often took and/or held power at the head of an army.  If they did not use an army to establish themselves, they usually needed one to retain their position.  Even America’s “cousin” England has endured a military usurper in Oliver Cromwell.  The US military certainly defends American sovereignty, but at no time in US history has the military become involved in deciding who political leaders will be.  We have had former generals as presidents, but Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower and others never considered the possibility of foregoing a Constitutional election.  That is a rare achievement in world history which we can attribute directly to George Washington.

Washington’s faith, character and restraint has paid off for future generations.  This year, we will all enjoy our holiday celebrations as free citizens with no fear of repressive dictatorship, military or otherwise.  It is worth remembering that one of George Washington’s greatest gifts to Americans then and now was the conscious choice to celebrate the Christmas of 1783 at his beloved Mount Vernon as a private citizen.

 

 

For more on George Washington’s early struggles and maturation during the French and Indian War, please see:

George Washington’s Inauspicious Beginning

 

For more on Washington’s leadership in the Revolutionary War and ultimate triumph, please see:

September-October 1781: Two Critical Months in Revolutionary War