Political Quotes

“In 1781, the Revolution had actually ended. The war had stopped. George Washington, then as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, continued to be able to stay on to be able to lead the Army until 1783, until the new government could be formed. In 1783, he came to Annapolis, MD, and Commander in Chief George Washington resigned his commission of the military. Now, we don't see that as a significant event, but it is one of the most significant events at the beginning of our Nation because, in the past, if you led the Army and you won the war, you would become the leader based on the fact that the Army is behind you. That is the way it had always been in every place, in every country. If you had the Army, you have the power. George Washington approached the civilian government in the beginnings of a new Republic, resigned his commission, and stepped back to being a private citizen. That event is so significant, John Trumbull, his painting hangs in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol right now. That painting has been hanging there since 1824. In fact, the painting of George Washington resigning his commission is actually older than the dome that it is under. We don't think about a military leader taking over the United States. That is unthinkable for us because of the path that George Washington laid down behind us. He did a lot of firsts in a lot of his leadership. He was our first President. He was a civilian leader. After one term, he wanted to be able to step down.…”