Washington And The Newburg Conspiracy...!

This happened on this day in history,and shows just what a hands on type of president George Washington was.

It probably took a lot of courage to take this step. Certainly couldn't have been easy, but George was never one to take the easy way out.

It's a shame that some of our leaders don't man up and put the country first, and think of the party lines later! Unfortunately, we all know that will never happen! Still, it would be nice if more politicians would follow the example set by Washington way back in 1783. Taken from the pages of the History Channel, here is the story!

On the morning of March 15, 1783, General George Washington makes a surprise appearance at an assembly of army officers at Newburgh, New York, to calm the growing frustration and distrust they had been openly expressing towards Congress in the previous few weeks. Angry with Congress for failing to honor its promise to pay them and for its failure to settle accounts for repayment of food and clothing, officers began circulating an anonymous letter condemning Congress and calling for a revolt.

When word of the letter and its call for an unsanctioned meeting of officers reached him, Washington issued a general order forbidding any unsanctioned meetings and called for a general assembly of officers for March 15. At the meeting, Washington began his speech to the officers by saying, "Gentlemen: By an anonymous summons, an attempt has been made to convene you together; how inconsistent with the rules of propriety! How unmilitary! And how subversive of all order and discipline..."

Washington continued by pledging, "to exert whatever ability I am possessed of, in your favor." He added, "Let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measures, which viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity, and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained; let me request you to rely on the plighted faith of your country, and place a full confidence in the purity of the intentions of Congress."

When he finished, Washington removed a letter from his breast pocket that he had received from a member of the Continental Congress. He hesitated for a moment as he looked down at the letter before fumbling to retrieve a pair of spectacles from his pocket. Before reading the letter, Washington, in an almost apologetic tone said, "Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown old in the service of my country and now find that I am growing blind." The eyes of most of his audience filled with tears. The content of the letter became irrelevant as the assembled officers realized that Washington had given as much or more in the service of the new nation as any of them. Within minutes, the officers voted unanimously to express confidence in Congress and their country.

In a letter to the Continental Congress dated March 18, 1783, Washington wrote to assure the body that the unrest of officers was over, writing, "The result of the proceedings of the grand convention of the officers, which I have the honor of enclosing to your Excellency for the inspection of Congress, will, I flatter myself, be considered as the last glorious proof of patriotism which could have been given by men who aspired to the distinction of a Patriot army; and will not only confirm their claim to the justice, but will increase their title to the gratitude of their country."

Why can't we elect some leaders that want to lead? Why must everything be decided by what's good for the "party" and not by what's good for the Country? Why can't the people in charge behave like men and not like puppets? Why is it so hard for them to understand that they are here to to serve the people of the country and NOT the other way around?

I'm sure that someone somewhere has the answers...but I don't! After all, I'm just one of the masses. Seems like the popular belief in the Capital is that we have to be protected from ourselves, in spite of what we feel! Again, this is just my opinion!

Let's get some coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit!