George Washington and the Meaning of His Words

Posted on by August 31, 2010

I was reading some quotes from a few of our Founding Fathers. I came across a quote from George Washington and as I read it I wondered how many of us could just read the letter and know what George meant.

I decided to write the quote and include the meaning of those words which do not occur in the general conversation of most adults today. So here it is:

“While I reiterate* the professions* of my dependence upon Heaven as the source of public and private blessings; I will observe that the general prevalence* of piety*, philanthropy*, honesty, industry and economy seems, in the ordinary course of human affairs*, particularly necessary for advancing and confirming the happiness of our country. read more

George Washington and the Book of Proverbs

Posted on by September 24, 2015

As I was teaching an adult Sunday School class about the Old Testament book of Proverbs, it struck me how similar the maxims in that book are to the maxims by which George Washington learned penmanship.

By the way, a proverb is a short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought, adage,  or saw.

In 1745 George was tutored by a teacher from France who supervised his practice of penmanship. George transcribed from dictation what were known as the “110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” as a method of mastering his proper penmanship. He would hear and write these Rules over and over again. read more

What Has Happened to States’ Rights?

Posted on by July 28, 2010
Republican John Bingham of Ohio, who introduced the 14th Amendment, said: “I repel the suggestion…that the Amendment will…take away from any State any right that belongs to it.”

Yet after the Amendment was ratified, activist Federal Judges have done just that, whittling down the rights which were once the domain of the States themselves.  Thomas Jefferson forewarned Charles Hammond of this probablilty in a letter in 1821:

“The germ of dissolution of our…government is in…the federal judiciary…working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little today and a little tomorrow…until all shall be usurped from the States.”

The 14th Amendment soon became a door by which Federal Courts took responsibility for other rights, such as education, illegal immigration, and eventually even religion, away from States’ jurisdiction. read more

A Few Random Thoughts From the Founding Fathers

Posted on by July 26, 2010
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” -Benjamin Franklin   “I believe He (God) is pleased and delights in the Happiness of those he has created; and since without Virtue Man can have no Happiness in this world, I firmly believe he delights to see me Virtuous because He is pleased when he sees me Happy.” -Benjamin Franklin (capitalization as he wrote it.)  

“Of all the dispositions and  habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible supports. . . . (R)eason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. -George Washington read more

Jefferson Had “The Wolf by the Ears”

Posted on by July 19, 2010

I over heard a comment the other day by someone denigrating the Founding Fathers as just being a bunch of rich, white slaveowners. As I reflected on this unsympathetic comment, I was struck by how misunderstood Thomas Jefferson and his stand on slavery is by the current generation.

In our current politically correct environment, I believe it’s difficult for any of us Americans, hyphenated or not, to understand Jefferson’s predicament.

Jefferson’s feelings regarding slavery are well documented, if misunderstood. Included in his first draft of The Declaration of Independence is a strong chastisement against King George III for bringing slavery to the colonies. Jefferson blamed slavery on the King of England. read more

WHO WOULD ARGUE WITH GEORGE WASHINGTON?

Posted on by May 25, 2010

George Washington’s self made will had some wonderful features. I’m thinking of re-popularizing at least one of them. You see, he had a well constructed clause to direct the settlement of disputes in the event there should be any.

As an estate planning attorney, I have long been a proponent of using revocable living trusts in the process. They avoid probate, make the settlement go smoothly, and cost less money in the long run. And they generally avoid conflicts in settling an estate.

A living trust is a written document to perform the same functions as a Last Will and Testament. But it does so without probate, if properly written and funded. Thus keeping the estate out of Court. So in order to dispute the trust, a new lawsuit must be filed. This was often considered unworkable. read more

Liberty or Not — That is the Question

Posted on by May 17, 2010

When any attention is paid to our nation’s founding documents, much attention is paid to the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, especially to the phrase “promote the general Welfare.” It seems to me that too little attention is paid to the words immediately following that phrase.  The words “and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” perhaps currently need much more attention by the citizenry and its representatives.

Are we trying at all to secure the “Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” when we go on unbridled spending sprees? Are we selling our Liberty for a mess of pottage? Are we purchasing our security for a loss of our Liberty, our Liberty and that of our children? read more

A Vow is Only as Good as an Oath

Posted on by April 30, 2010

Every public servant, such as a judge, Senator, or Congressman, makes a personal oath when entering into such a position. It is required by the Constitution.

The Presidential Oath is set forth in the Constitution as: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

When being sworn in as our first President, George Washington spontaneously added the words: “so help me God.”  This has becoome a traditional part of the Oath of office. read more

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World

Posted on by September 24, 2015

When British troops plan to destroy American ammunition at Concord, Massachussetts, the Boston Committee of Safety learns of this plan. It sends Paul Revere and William Dawes to alert the countryside and gather Minute Men.

On April 19, 1775, Minute Men and British troops meet at Lexington, where a shot from a stray British gun leads to more British firing. This shot has been dubbed “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World.’

 The Americans fire only a few shots; several Americans are killed. The British march on to Concord and destroy some ammunition. They soon find the whole countryside swarming with militia. At the end of the day, many are dead on both sides. The Revolutionary War has begun. read more

“What is a Wise and Frugal Government, Thomas Jefferson?”

Posted on by April 15, 2010

On this tax day, April 15, 2010, I think it is interesting to note what our Third U.S. President said in his inaugural speech, in 1801.

“A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned–this is the sum of good government.”

Then after two years in office, Jefferson spoke of his achievements: “At home, fellow citizens, you best know whether we have done well or ill. The suppression of unnecessary offices, of useless establishments and expenses, enabled us to discontinue our internal taxes . . . . The remaining revenue, on the consumption of foreign articles, is paid cheerfully by those who can afford to add foreign luxuries to domestic comforts . . . . It may be the pleasure and pride of an American to ask, what farmer, what mechanic, what laborer ever sees a tax-gatherer of the United States?” read more