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The new constitution established a president with powers unheard of in the republican United States. Some even wanted him to read more
The new constitution established a president with powers unheard of in the republican United States. Some even wanted him to be king, a thought that GW found ludicrous: What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & fallacious!
I die hard but am not afraid to go.
I die hard but am not afraid to go.
We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose read more
We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience.
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well tried before you give them your read more
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
When it was reported to General Washington that the army was frequently indulging in swearing, he immediately sent out the read more
When it was reported to General Washington that the army was frequently indulging in swearing, he immediately sent out the following order: The general is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing — a vice little known heretofore in the American army — is growing into fashion. Let the men and officers reflect 'that we can not hope for the blessing of heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly.'
One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and read more
One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.
True friendship is a plant of slow grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is read more
True friendship is a plant of slow grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly read more
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.
Our country's honor calls upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion; and if we now shamefully fail, we shall read more
Our country's honor calls upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion; and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world.