This is the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birth-day of Washington. We are met to celebrate this day. Washington is the mightiest name of earth — long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name, an eulogy is expected. It cannot be. To add brightness to the sun, or glory to the name of Washington, is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked deathless splendor, leave it shining on.
Abraham Lincoln, February 22, 1842
The House of Mouse squeezed one month, and only one month, of Disney from me so I could watch Hamilton. I was struck again by the lyrics of I Know Him:
They say
George Washington’s yielding his power and stepping away
Is that true?
I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do
I’m perplexed
Are they going to keep on replacing whoever’s in charge?
If so, who’s next?
There’s nobody else in their country who looms quite as large
George Washington’s yielding his power and stepping away
Is that true?
I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do
I’m perplexed
Are they going to keep on replacing whoever’s in charge?
If so, who’s next?
There’s nobody else in their country who looms quite as large
John Adams?
I know him
That can’t be
That’s that little guy who spoke to me
All those years ago
What was it, eighty-five?
That poor man, they’re gonna eat him alive!
I know him
That can’t be
That’s that little guy who spoke to me
All those years ago
What was it, eighty-five?
That poor man, they’re gonna eat him alive!
Oceans rise
Empires fall
Next to Washington, they all look small
All alone
Watch them run
They will tear each other into pieces
Jesus Christ, this will be fun!
Empires fall
Next to Washington, they all look small
All alone
Watch them run
They will tear each other into pieces
Jesus Christ, this will be fun!
Da da da dat da dat da da da dai ya da
Da da da dat dat dai ya da, hahahahaha!
President John Adams
Good luck!
Da da da dat dat dai ya da, hahahahaha!
President John Adams
Good luck!
All of American history can be summarized in the line: Next to Washington, they all look small. Only Lincoln came close in stature and he was fortunate in his death before he could fail in Reconstruction. From 1775 until his retirement in 1797 Washington had endless opportunities to fail and he did not. Contemporary lunatics may tear down his statues today, but what he led the creation of has endured and will endure.
One of my sons said that watching our generation tear down statues of the Founding Fathers is like watching Yoko Ono tear down statues of the Renaissance Masters.
” Contemporary lunatics may tear down his statues today, but what he led the creation of has endured and will endure.”
This will not happen unless we are willing to fight for our fast eroding liberties as Washington did . And that is an open issue.
Heck, at this point, I am beginning to miss George III.