James C. Rees, 32°
Executive Director, Historic Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121

The true Washington is being lost to future generations.

No one deserves our gratitude, our praise, our deepest respect, more than George Washington. As the great orator Edward Everett said, "The character, the counsels, the example of our dear Washington … will guide us through the doubts and the difficulties that beset us; they will guide our children and our children's children in the paths of prosperity and peace."

But perhaps today, we should ask ourselves if it is still true that the character of George Washington is guiding our children and our children's children. Near to the 1999 bicentennial of his passing, is Washington still held up as a meaningful role model, as an example for new generations to follow? The evidence isn't very promising. George Washington may be the most familiar of all historical figures, but the sad fact is, the average American today seems to know next to nothing about the man behind the myth. American history in general has been short-shrifted in the classroom, and surveys reveal that educators themselves agree the problem is serious. Teachers estimate that only one student in 10 can be considered proficient in high school history upon graduation, and one of four Americans cannot name whose picture is on the dollar bill.

We really shouldn't be surprised by this dramatic decline in knowledge. The fourth-grade history textbook used in the public school system in Richmond, Virginia, in the early 1960s, included 10 times more coverage of Washington than the textbook used in that very same classroom today. And I truly believe that this disconnect from history, this ignorance of the Founding Fathers, has affected our children in other, incredibly important ways. In another survey of high school students, 90 percent admitted that they lied to their parents, 70 percent admitted to cheating on an exam, and almost 50 percent to stealing from a store.

Of course times change, and our daily lives are very different from those in the 18th century. But the most important things about our nation and its people should not change. The character and principles of our great country—all of which are embodied by a single man, George Washington—should remain steadfast. As author James Flexner has noted, "Washington was more than a military leader: he was the eagle, the standard, the flag, the living symbol of the cause."

When George Washington died in 1799, John Marshall mourned, "Our Washington is no more.... The Hero, the Sage and the Patriot of America—the man on whom in times of danger, every eye was turned, and all hopes where placed—lives now only in his own great actions, and in the hearts of an affectionate people."

Between December 14, 1799, the day that Washington died, and February 22, 1800, the entire nation went into mourning. Some 350 funeral eulogies were delivered from Maine to Georgia. In an age like today, when legislators and citizens, though finally united by a single government, disagree on countless points, virtually everyone agreed the greatness of Washington and the greatness of America were one and the same. This public celebration of Washington's character continued for the next 140 years. His birthday became not just a national holiday, but a time for parades, sermons, and family gatherings where the conversations actually focused on the leadership of this great man.

In 1839, which marked the 50th anniversary of Washington's inauguration as President, among the tributes was a two-hour speech by John Quincy Adams and the reading of an original poem by the famous poet William Cullen Bryant. At the 1889 centennial gala in New York City, President Benjamin Harrison was honored to portray George Washington as the oath of office was reenacted near Federal Hall. There were more than a million people in attendance, far more than attended the original ceremony in 1789. When the bicentennial of Washington's birth was celebrated in 1932, patriotic events went on for months, and virtually every classroom in America was supplied by the government with a framed portrait of George Washington.

For generations, every United States President felt that it was an honor to visit Mount Vernon. Teddy Roosevelt and his family rode to Mount Vernon on horseback, a trip that took several hours, on many occasions. When the 100th anniversary of Washington's death was commemorated in 1899, President McKinley was the keynote speaker.

Today, I'm sad to say that Presidents turn down Mount Vernon's invitations with remarkable frequency. Our research seems to indicate that of the last four Presidents, two have never stepped foot on Mount Vernon soil, despite the fact that the presidential helicopter has reduced the traveling time to less than 10 minutes. Although we continue to welcome foreign Prime Ministers and Presidents, and even the Queen of England, it has been 17 years since a sitting President has participated in an official function at Mount Vernon.

I am afraid that too many of our leaders, as well as our children, think of Washington as just another icon—he's great, of course, but they think he's also, well, kind of boring. That's because people today too often think of Washington as the sour-looking elder statesman depicted in the Gilbert Stuart painting, the one you see every time you use a dollar bill. Washington and Stuart never got along. They were like oil and water, and this painting is the best example in history of an artist's revenge.

In the 18th century, people looked at Washington in a different light. He was not just powerful, he was also fascinating. And he was considered absolutely incomparable to the other Founding Fathers. As scholar Garry Wills notes, "To them, Washington was always the most interesting man in the room, even when the other men in the room were Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton."

For instance, Washington was perhaps the foremost farmer in America. He invented his own plow, he was one of the first to stop growing tobacco because it depleted the soil of nutrients, he introduced the mule in America, he designed an amazing 16-sided barn to revolutionize the processing of wheat, and he created a terrific seven-year plan for crop rotations.

As an entrepreneur, Washington had few equals. He owned 70,000 acres of land in what would today be seven different states. He created his own quarry operation, and he built a four-story gristmill to process not only his wheat, but also that of his neighbors. Next to the gristmill, he naturally built a distillery, where thousands of gallons of liquor were purchased by prominent families for miles around. And because he was an exceptionally frugal man, Washington used the by-products of his distillery to feed his Ossabaw Island hogs. Understandably, they always had smiles on their faces. Yet Washington's most profitable business of all was fishing. For a brief five-week period each spring, he rented additional boats and borrowed additional hands to net more than 1.3 million herring, which he salted in barrels and shipped to cities near and far.

George Washington, Oil painting by Rembrandt Peale, 1825. Photo: The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

Where Washington found the time to create and manage these businesses is still a mystery, because so much of his life was spent on the battlefield. At the onset of the French and Indian War, Washington led the Virginia militia as it joined General Braddock's ill-fated mission to the Monongahela. This was by no means a shining moment in Washington's career. Braddock's forces were severely defeated, the General himself was mortally wounded. Yet when General Braddock fell, the men naturally turned to George Washington, who organized the retreat and kept the army from disbanding. By the end of the battle, four bullet holes were in his coat, and he was on his third horse, but Washington was an unquestionable hero, even in defeat.

He was almost immediately appointed a colonel and given complete command of the Virginia Regiment. But what is truly amazing about this episode in Washington's life is his age. He was just 23 years old. I cannot imagine what qualities a 23-year-old could possess to win such confidence and respect from his much older comrades.

Scholars generally agree the most critical moment of Washington's military career came not during the war itself, but at the close of the Revolutionary War. It is at this juncture that Washington most clearly separates himself from the others and where his leadership moves to a truly higher plane.

Unlike Julius Caesar, Oliver Cromwell, Napoleon Bonaparte, and many other victorious military leaders, Washington willingly and unconditionally surrendered his power just when it reached its apex. When the world expected Washington to assume his rightful place as the ruler of a new nation, he laid down his sword and took up his plow.

Today, we take our freedom so much for granted and accept democracy as so natural, so right, that it is hard to imagine the importance of Washington's voluntary retirement. But in 1783, it was an earth-shattering event. The highly skeptical King George III, perhaps confident that Washington's retirement was some sort of scam, predicted that if the commander-in-chief gives up all his power and returns to his farm, he will be the "greatest man in the world." For once, George III was right.

Just a few years later, when Napoleon was deep in exile, totally defeated and forlorn, he lamented, "they expected me to be another Washington." It was as if the people of France had expected the impossible: how could anyone live up to Washington's standards?

High standards, yes, but Washington was by no means perfect. He had a tumultuous temper, he wasn't a terribly good speaker, and if you read his thousands of letters, you'll discover that a sense of humor doesn't exactly pop out on every page. But Washington was creative, energetic, courageous, dignified, courteous, and modest to a fault. And most of all, his character was sterling. He possessed an unflinching belief in freedom, justice, and the principles upon which our nation was founded. In every aspect of his incredibly busy life, George Washington was virtuous. And perhaps never in the history of the world has a single man been admired by so many.

One newspaper writer in the 18th century noted that if George Washington stood for President, he would receive every single vote. He didn't mean every electoral vote, which Washington did indeed receive, but the vote of every single citizen.

This is the man who I am so afraid is being lost to future generations. Today, however, there is a ray of hope that the tide can still be turned. During this bicentennial year of Washington's passing, I will make brief remarks to about 75 different groups and assemblies. And there is no doubt in my mind that this* will be one of the largest of them all. And this is as it should be. Because of all the organizations Washington participated in during his long and illustrious life, I honestly believe he was most personally involved in and committed to Freemasonry.

Having lost his father when he was just 11 years old, Washington was drawn to this Fraternity of civic-minded men, who followed a steadfast philosophy focusing on moral virtue and the giving of assistance to all Brothers in need. He served as the first Master of Lodge No. 22, in Alexandria, and his dedication to Freemasonry was spotlighted in 1793 when he presided at a Masonic ceremony to set the cornerstone for the United States Capitol. And on December 18, 1799, his fellow Masonic Brothers conducted Washington's memorial service at Mount Vernon. This year [1999], we will reenact Washington's funeral exactly 200 years later, and once again, Masons will be leading the way. It's the way George Washington would have wanted it to be. I want to thank all Freemasons, from the bottom of my heart, for all you continue to do as good members of the Craft, to perpetuate the spirit of Washington.

I will conclude with the words of John Adams, Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln and Henry Lee. Our second president, John Adams, said: "Washington's example is complete; and it will teach wisdom and virtue to Magistrates, Citizens, and Men, not only in the present age, but in future generations."

The famous orator Daniel Webster said: "America has furnished to the world the character of Washington. And if our American institutions had done nothing else, that alone would have entitled them to the respect of mankind."

Abraham Lincoln, perhaps America's second-most-respected President, said: "Washington is the mightiest name of earth.... 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."

And, finally, the great Southern gentleman and soldier, Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee, said: "Vice shudders in his presence, and virtue always feels his fostering hand.... First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen."

James C. Rees is the Resident Director of George Washington's Mount Vernon. Bro. Rees has also written a two-part (2-91 and 3-91) Short Talk Bulletin, titled "George Washington, A Truly Remarkable Man," for the Masonic Service Association. Bro. Rees is a member of Alexandria–Washington Lodge No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia.