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Post by booklady on Feb 21, 2007 21:25:22 GMT -5
From my Bartletts: George Washington, Commander of the American armies, who, like Joshua of old, commanded the sun and the moon to stand still, and they obeyed him.Benjamin Franklin: A toast at a dinner in Versailles (The British minister had proposed a toast to King George III, in which he compared him to the sun, and the French minister had toasted Louis XVI, comparing him with the moon.) ---------- I will make a prophecy that may now sound peculiar. In fifty years Lincoln's name will be inscribed close to Washington's on the Republic's roll of honor. Carl Schurz ( ), Letter to Theodore Petrasch, October 12, 1864
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Post by booklady on Feb 21, 2007 21:27:20 GMT -5
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.
Daniel Webster, On the Completion of Bunker Hill Monument, June 17, 1843.
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Post by gailkate on Feb 22, 2007 14:53:06 GMT -5
More on George Washington, with an unapologetic slant:
From the outset of their confrontation with the British monarchy, the Americans were labeled as traitors and insurgents. They were denied the status of honorable soldiers in arms and were treated shamefully. ... Against a loud public outcry of "eye for an eye," George Washington stood fast. He made it a point of fundamental honor (and that was his word) that the Americans would not only hold dearly to the laws of war, they would define a new law of war that reflected the humanitarian principles for which the new Republic had risen. ... In all respects the prisoners were to be treated no worse than American soldiers; and in some respects, better. Through this approach, Washington sought to shame his British adversaries, and to demonstrate the moral superiority of the American cause. ...
But early in 2002, a later George W, one who knew no military service, decided he knew better than the Founding Father. ... We should celebrate George Washington's birthday this Thursday by remembering the man and the values for which he stood. And we should redouble our efforts to restore that message of fundamental decency with which our nation came into being.
From "A Tale of Two Georges," a Web essay by SCOTT HORTON.
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Post by scotbrit on Feb 22, 2007 15:34:48 GMT -5
Thanksgiving on Washington's Birthday?
Here is today's offering from my home desk calendar:
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Post by joew on Feb 22, 2007 16:57:50 GMT -5
The bells in our Town Hall are rung for 30 minutes three times a day to celebrate Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July. When the legal holiday was shifted from Feb. 22 to the third Monday of the month, and renamed Presidents' Day we did not change the day for ringing the bells — we still ring them on the 22nd.
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Post by gailkate on Feb 22, 2007 19:58:42 GMT -5
I'm modifying this with some underlinings, because it seems as if no one is reading it. Mary had a number of slaves, whom she parcelled out with the spoons and bed linen. I especially noticed that Old Bet goes to one grandchild while Little Bet, presumably her daughter and all her increase go to another. That pleases me, Joe. But I can't help sharing this as another view of the revered family. I first saw Washington's mother's will in a Farmer's Almanac, maybe 20 years ago. It took some googling, but I found it here. www.kenmore.org/WashingtonFamilyInfo/mary_wash_will.htmlMary left horses, sheets,crockery, furniture, and human beings. In the name of God! Amen. I, Mary Washington, of Fredericksburg, in the County of Spotsylvania, being in good health, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, and willing to dispose of what remains of my worldly estate, do make and publish this, my last will, recommending my soul in the hands of my Creator, hoping for a remission of all my sins through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind: I dispose of my worldly estate as follows:
Imprimis. — I give to my son, General George Washington all my land in Accokeek Run, in the County of Stafford, and also my negro boy George, to him and his heirs forever. Also, my best bed, bedstead, and Virginia cloth curtains (the same that stand in my best bedroom), my quilted blue-and-white quilt, and my best dressing glass. Item. — I give and devise to my son, Charles Washington, my negro man, Tom, to him and his assigns forever.
Item. — I give and devise to my daughter, Betty Lewis, my phaeton and bay horse.
Item. — I give and devise to my daughter-in-law, Hannah Washington, my purple cloth cloak lined with shag.
Item. — I give and devise to my grandson, Corbin Washington, my negro wench, old Bet, my riding chair, and two black horses, to him and his assigns forever.
Item. — I give and devise to my grandson, Fielding Lewis, my negro man, Frederick, to him and his assigns forever; also eight silver tablespoons, half of my crockery ware and the blue and white tea china, with book case, oval table, one bedstead, one pair sheets, one pair blankets and white cotton counterpane, two table cloths, six red leather chairs, half my pewter and one-half of my iron kitchen furniture.
Item. — I give and devise to my grandson, Lawrence Lewis, my negro wench, Lydia, to him and his assigns forever.
Item. — I give and devise to my granddaughter, Betty Carter, my negro woman, little Bet, and her future increase, to her and her assigns forever; also my largest looking glass, my walnut writing desk with drawers, a square dining table, one bed, bedstead, bolster, one pillow, one blanket and pair of sheets, white Virginia cloth counterpane and purple curtains, my red-and-white tea china, teaspoons, and the other half of my pewter, crockery ware, and the remainder of my iron kitchen furniture.
Item. — I give to my grandson, George Washington, my next best dressing glass, one bed, bedstead, bolster, one pillow, one pair sheets, one blanket and counterpane.
Item. — I devise all my wearing apparel to be equally divided between my granddaughters, Betty Carter, Fannie Ball; and Milly Washington; but should my daughter, Betty Lewis, fancy any one, two, or three articles, she is to have them before a division thereof.
Lastly. — I nominate and appoint my said son, General George Washington, executor of this, my will and, as I owe few or no debts, I direct my executor to give no security nor to appraise my estate, but desire the same may be allotted to my devisees, with as little trouble and delay as may be, desiring their acceptance thereof as all the token I now have to give them of my love for them
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of May, 1788.I don't mean to be preachy, but this is a revealing history lesson. When people talk about the Founders we must remember they saw the world very differently. To bequeathe one human being to another and even the unborn children of one to another - in the same sentence with sheets and crockery - is stupefying. I wish this will could be included in a mandatory black History curriculum.
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