WP,pg1: Md. to Unveil Page: Washington's Resignation Speech Left Military in Civilian Hands

[DeepModem Mom]

Maryland to Unveil the Page That Began a New Chapter
George Washington's Resignation Speech Left the U.S. Military in Civilians' Hands
By William Wan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 19, 2007; Page A01


George Washington's resignation as commander in chief, delivered in 1783 at the State House in Annapolis, established civilian control of military power. (Maryland State Archives)

It was a speech so moving the crowd wept. It was a speech so personally important George Washington's hand shook as he read it until he had to hold the paper still with both hands. After the ceremony, he handed the thing to a friend and sped out the door of the State House in Annapolis, riding off by horse.

For centuries, his words have resonated in American democracy even as the speech itself -- the small piece of paper that shook in his hands that day -- was quietly put away, out of the public eye and largely forgotten.

Today, however, amid festivities celebrating his birthday, Maryland officials plan to unveil the original document -- worth $1.5 million -- after acquiring it in a private sale from a family in Maryland who had kept it all these years. It took two years to negotiate the deal and raise money for the speech, which experts consider the most significant Washington document to change hands in the past 50 years.

The speech, scholars say, was a turning point in U.S. history. As the Revolutionary War was winding down, some wanted to make Washington king. Some whispered conspiracy, trying to seduce him with the trappings of power. But Washington renounced them all.

By resigning his commission as commander in chief to the Continental Congress -- then housed at the Annapolis capitol -- Washington laid the cornerstone for an American principle that persists today: Civilians, not generals, are ultimately in charge of military power....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/18/AR2007021801551.html

[many a good man]

1. Stressed executive's subservience to Congress

Washington had carefully prepared his speech that day, according to the revisions in the newly acquired manuscript. It appears that he wanted to stress the importance of Congress and his subservience to it. He crossed out, for example, the word "deliver" and said instead, "I here offer my commission," leaving his resignation up to the will of Congress.

The presidency was never meant to have anywhere near the power it enjoys today.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. I wonder if Bush knows anything at all about Washington, who said,

"The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure."

MKJ

[rman]

6. He probably does know,

or he and his cronies (who weren't born yesterday) would not be working so hard to find ways around it.

As earlier examples the bombing of Cambodia and the funding of the Contras come to mind.

[SpiralHawk]

3. Who would ever have imagined that an AWOL frat boy would steal power?

and be backed up by a war profiteering chickenhawk with Five Military Deferments, like Dickie Cheney? Neither one of them fit to shine the boots of any of our sons and daughters in uniform.

George Washington is no doubt turning in his grave.

[dogfacedboy]

5. Who would have ever imagined

that so many of the American people would be so stupid as to think that an AWOL drunken frat boy would even be a viable choice for ANY public office?

[Doremus]

4. We've come a long way baby.

From courage and conscience

to

perfidy and profiteering

I'm just cynical enough today to think we'll never have leaders like that again, who measure their actions against "What is best for the country" instead of "What will line my pockets fastest."

:cry: :cry:

[eppur_se_muova]

7. The first "GW" did SO much to set this country on the right course ...

even as much as Americans glorify Washington, so many are unaware that he took this important step.

Our current "GW" has no more "leader" in him than does the lint from Washington's socks.

on edit: Many thanks for posting, DMM. They should reproduce this and post copies in all our courthouses, beside the Bill of Rights.