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Wednesday, February 22, Americans will celebrate George Washington’s 285th
birthday. As we remember the Father of Our Country (Pater Patriae in Latin),
here are two famous pieces that are as timely today as they were in the 18th
century: a legend about his childhood days, and a letter showcasing how he
embraced and practiced the values enshrined in the First Amendment of the
Constitution.
The
Fable of George Washington and the Cherry Tree
From
The Life of Washington, by Mason Locke Weems, 1809
Never
did the wise Ulysses take more pains with his beloved Telemachus, than did Mr.
Washington with George, to inspire him with an early love of truth.
“Truth, George”‘ (said he) “is the loveliest quality of youth. I would ride
fifty miles, my son, to see the little boy whose heart is so honest, and
his lips so pure, that we may depend on every word he says. O how lovely
does such a child appear in the eyes of everybody! His parents dote on him; his
relations glory in him; they are constantly praising him to their children,
whom they beg to imitate him. They are often sending for him, to visit them;
and receive him, when he comes, with as much joy as if he were a little angel,
come to set pretty examples to their children.”
“But,
Oh! how different, George, is the case with the boy who is so given to lying,
that nobody can believe a word he says! He is looked at with aversion wherever
he goes, and parents dread to see him come among their children. Oh, George! my
son! rather than see you come to this pass, dear as you are to my heart, gladly
would I assist to nail you up in your little coffin, and follow you to your
grave. Hard, indeed, would it be to me to give up my son, whose little feet are
always so ready to run about with me, and whose fondly looking eyes and sweet
prattle make so large a part of my happiness: but still I would give him up,
rather than see him a common liar.
“Pa,
(said George very seriously) do I ever tell lies?”
“No,
George, I thank God you do not, my son; and I rejoice in the hope you
never will. At least, you shall never, from me, have cause to be guilty of so
shameful a thing. Many parents, indeed, even compel their children to this vile
practice, by barbarously beating them for every little fault; hence, on the
next offence, the little terrified creature slips out a lie! just to
escape the rod. But as to yourself, George, you know I have always told
you, and now tell you again, that, whenever by accident you do anything wrong,
which must often be the case, as you are but a poor little boy yet, without experience
or knowledge, never tell a falsehood to conceal it; but come bravely
up, my son, like a little man, and tell me of it: and instead of beating
you, George, I will but the more honor and love you for it, my dear.”
This,
you’ll say, was sowing good seed!–Yes, it was: and the crop, thank God, was, as
I believe it ever will be, where a man acts the true parent, that is, the Guardian
Angel, by his child.
The
following anecdote is a case in point. It is too valuable to be lost,
and too true to be doubted; for it was communicated to me by the same excellent
lady to whom I am indebted for the last.
“When
George,” said she, “was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of
a hatchet! of which, like most little boys, he was immoderately fond,
and was constantly going about chopping everything that came in his way. One
day, in the garden, where he often amused himself hacking his mother’s
pea-sticks, he unluckily tried the edge of his hatchet on the body of a
beautiful young English cherry-tree, which he barked so terribly, that I don’t
believe the tree ever got the better of it. The next morning the old gentleman
finding out what had befallen his tree, which, by the by, was a great favorite,
came into the house, and with much warmth asked for the mischievous author,
declaring at the same time, that he would not have taken five guineas for his
tree. Nobody could tell him anything about it. Presently George and his hatchet
made their appearance. George, said his father, do you know who
killed that beautiful little cherry-tree yonder in the garden? This was a tough
question; and George staggered under it for a moment; but quickly recovered
himself: and looking at his father, with the sweet face of youth brightened
with the inexpressible charm of all-conquering truth, he bravely cried out, “I
can’t tell a lie, Pa; you know I can’t tell a lie. I did cut it with my
hatchet.”–Run to my arms, you dearest boy, cried his father in transports, run
to my arms; glad am I, George, that you killed my tree; for you have paid me
for it a thousand fold. Such an act of heroism in my son, is more worth than a
thousand trees, though blossomed with silver, and their fruits of purest gold.
From
George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, 18
August 1790
To
the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island
[Newport,
R.I., 18 August 1790]
Gentlemen.
While
I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of
affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I
shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced
in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.
The
reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the
more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon
prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the
advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just
administration of a good Government, to become a great and a happy people.
The
Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for
having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy
worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of
citizenship It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the
indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their
inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which
gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that
they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens,
in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It
would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am
pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes
for my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this
land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while
everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall
be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not
darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here,
and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
Go:
Washington
Happy
Presidents’ Day Weekend!
Rob :)
