Our Hero Washington

My blog feature for today, 12/6/25, is based on a Facebook article, posted yesterday, about how George Washington could have declared himself king after the end of the Revolutionary War, and likely would have been our first king, if that was his wont. Washington resigned his commission and returned to his life as a planter. He was a great, noble, heroic leader. However, we cannot rely on virtuous leaders to save us from tyranny. We have to rely ourselves. Each of us as individuating supercitizens should be as brave, wise, politically engaged and insistent that things be well run whether our leader is George Washington or Vladimir Putin. The masses own the society and they must run the system always to keep would-be dictators at bay here in America. Here is the entire article, copied and pasted below by me: “ The Gentlemen's Barber Shop  · Spooetsndr tc9ta1dgl0eayta42fa1MigA0 0h60Y4s7ge:rf0 0t3lialc  · In 1783, King George III asked an American painter what George Washington would do now that he had virtually won the war. The painter replied that the General intended to return to his farm in Virginia. The King was stunned. He reportedly said, "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world." Throughout history, victorious generals almost always seized the throne. From Caesar to Cromwell, military success usually meant political dictatorship. The concept of voluntarily walking away from absolute power was practically unheard of. But George Washington wasn't like other men. By December 4, 1783, the British surrender at Yorktown was past, and peace was finally assured. Washington commanded a powerful, seasoned army that adored him. Conversely, many of his officers were unpaid and angry at the inefficient Congress. They had the guns, the manpower, and the loyalty to install a new monarch. He could have been King George I of America. Instead, on this day in history, Washington walked into the Long Room at Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan. The room was filled with his most loyal officers—men like Henry Knox and Baron von Steuben—who had frozen with him at Valley Forge and bled with him for eight long years. The atmosphere wasn't celebratory. It was heavy with inevitable separation. Washington, usually stoic and commercially reserved, poured a glass of wine and looked at his brothers-in-arms with visible emotion. "With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you," he said, his voice shaking. "I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." He didn't order them. He didn't demand their allegiance. He hugged them. One by one, the hardened soldiers wept openly. Washington embraced each man in silence. There was no pomp, no ceremony, and no speeches about future conquests. It was just a quiet goodbye between warriors who had done the impossible. Immediately after leaving the tavern, Washington didn't march on Congress to demand payment or power. He rode to Annapolis, Maryland, resigned his commission, and went home to Mount Vernon to plant crops. He did the impossible. He refused the crown. He trusted the people. By stepping down, he ensured that the United States would be a republic ruled by laws, not a kingdom ruled by force. He proved that the military serves the people, not the other way around. It was the final, and perhaps greatest, victory of the Revolution. The world watched in awe as the American Cincinnatus returned his sword to its sheath, proving that character is the strongest constitution of all. Sources: Mount Vernon Ladies' Association / Library of Congress “