George Washington, as commander – in – chief of American forces in the Revolutionary War, wrought miracles in achieving victory over the powerful British to secure the liberty proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence. But as events proved, Washington was more a “man of peace” than of war. More as a statesman than on the battlefield he won the honored title of “father of his country.” First, as chairman of the convention which wrote the United States Constitution, he gave dedicated and forceful leadership in bringing together diverse elements from the 13 colonies to fashion the historic document, the supreme law of the land. Then, as the country’s first president for two terms, he steered the ship of state through hazardous waters, nurturing the fragile “political experiment” into a viable nation. Washington, whose birthday anniversary We commemorate today, believed in a strong military posture to back up diplomatic efforts. “To he prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace,” he said in his first address to both Houses of Congress Jan. 8, 1790. But early in his second term as president, when there were rumblings of strife with Britain, the concerned American president “really unburdened his feelings about war and peace in a letter to the British philanthropist the Earl of Buchan. With statements that are as true today as in his time, Washington said; “If, instead of the provocations to war, bloodshed, and desolation (often-times unjustly given) the strife of nations and of individuals was to excel each other in acts of philanthropy. industry, and economy, in encouraging useful arts and manufactures, promoting thereby the comfort and happiness of our fellow men; and in exchanging on liberal ‘ terms the products of one country and clime for those of another, how much happier would mankind be.” Washington continued: “But providence, for purposes beyond the – reach of mortal scan, has suffered the restless and malignant passions of men, the ambitious and sordid views of those who direct them, to keep the affairs of this world in a continual state of disquietude; and will, it is to be feared, place the prospects of peace too far off, and the promised millenium at an awful distance from our day.” He closed the statement by expressing his “earnest wish to keep this country free (if rt can be done consistently with honor and the respect which every nation owes itself as well as to others .,.” The war clouds which made Washington apprehensive had begun to gather in 1793 when a general European war broke out against France. There was dangler the United States mig tbe drawn in, some arguing that America owed France a debt for real assistance in the American revolution. However, Washington weighed the factors, and announced this country’s neutrality, sanctioned by Congress. He refused aid either to England or France and asserted America’s right to trade freely with both. F In hls Farewell Address, which ranks with the Declaration of independence and the Gettysburg Address F –1 among historic! American do-cuments,i Washington spoke of the Z neutrality proclamation, saying “the spirit of that measure has continually governed me Undoubtedly it was Washington’s and more than any other’s of his heroic era that shaped the nation. He had his problems, particularlv second temi. drawJig criticism from the ‘IISS an many comK lots for his handling dh of the tough isstung the era. Dif wu l within his ca ‘ .some cases didn 9-,;– yq Tho ”1%% fferson, who ha , post as secreta .,.- ‘ early in the s .- term, wrote of Washw long afterdthe . irs presi ent’s Dec. 14, 1799. 6,%, “His was the singular destiny and merit of leading the armies of his country successfully through an aduous war – for- In utablishment of its independence, of conducting its councils through the birth of a government, new in its orms and principles, until it settled down into a quiet and orderly train; and of scrupulously obeying the laws through the whole of his career, civil and military, of which the history of the world fumishes no other example.” But it remained for Henry Lee, Revolutionary War general, member of the Continental Congress, and finally govemor of Virginia, to express the benediction that has come ringing down through the generations. In a memorial address delivered at the request of Congress, Lee described Washington as “first in war, first in geace, and first in the earts of his countrymen.” What greater tribute could be pald a man in his own time!