On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. Of this he wrote to James Madison: As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.
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In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the read more
In his address of 19 September 1796, given as he prepared to leave office, President George Washington spoke about the importance of morality to the country's well-being: Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.... Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue?
The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered read more
The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered ... deeply, ... finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one read more
If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.
America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no read more
America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no one will keep that light from shining.
Following his brief inaugural address to the Congress, President George Washington and his party walked over to St. Paul's Church read more
Following his brief inaugural address to the Congress, President George Washington and his party walked over to St. Paul's Church for divine services. His prayer that afternoon was: 'Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large.'
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.
Written about Washington after his death by another of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: His mind was great and powerful read more
Written about Washington after his death by another of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: His mind was great and powerful ... as far as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder. It was slow in operation, being little aided by invention or imagination, but sure in conclusion.... Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw doubt, but, when once decided, going through his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity was the most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known.... He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good and a great man ... On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect ... it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great....
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to read more
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
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.
