’)As I noted earlier, I went to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate. It was quite fun and I’ve got some pictures here. What was kind of interesting for me was the conservative influence on the place. It’s not overt by any stretch and doesn’t take away in any respect from the historical import and effect of the estate. But the caretakers of the estate, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, are not as restrained by the sort of even-handedness you tend to get at Smithsonian exhibits in D.C. The intro movie you see is written by Lionel Chetwynd, writer of the pro-Bush DC 9/11 and the anti-Michael Moore Celsius 41.11. It’s called “We Fight to Be Free” and like the other little bits at the estate it’s designed to make Washington into a God-like figure.
But its not necessary to puff-up Washington! He clearly is a Colussus of history. His leadership on the battlefield and as president set the standard very high for our new country. His farewell address is masterful. America is America in large part due to George Washington.
But he had flaws. He was a wealthy landowner who owned slaves. The guides and literature at the park don’t shy away from this and make great pains to point out his move to free his slaves. But he did wait until he died to make that happen. And yet that doesn’t disqualify the great he did. Conservatives in America have this romantic notion of Washington and by trying to compensate they over do it, and again while it doesn’t detract at all from Mount Vernon – and you should all go if you get a chance – they need to just chill a little bit on it.
The man is on our money for good reason. He’s got statues, schools, towns, states and more named after him and it is all what he is due. But to honor his memory, let’s tell people the full story without bias.
Well put O-dub. I think one of his most important legacies was stepping down after two turns when he could have stayed president for as long as he wanted.
When I taught Washington to high-schoolers, I always began by asking them if it was possible for a great general to have lost so many more battles than he ever won. Then I’d go on to explain that simply keeping the Continental functional due to the lack of supplies and the horrible morale was an achievement in itself, and then of course, Trenton.
I also love Mount Vernon because my sister go married there, in the banquet hall at least.
Turns = terms
My visit to Sagamore Hill was an additional reminder that you don’t go to a former president’s estate to get an objective view, Oliver. A third cousin or so led the tour through Teddy Roosevelt’s Long Island home and you would have thought TR was a god. Of course he was incredibly accomplished (he wrote 30 books, for example), but the tour was not the time to point out his belligerent and jingoistic foreign policies, etc.
This was worthwhile, too, though, no question. Where else can you see stuffed rhinoceros and tiger heads?
On my first trip to Mount Vernon, bringing along some college friends from out of town, Mr. College Friend and I noticed that in the historic kitchen, some plastic bananas and pineapples were on display. Now, I know that the pineapple is a traditional symbol of hospitality, but what was with the bananas? The docent was so mad when we asked her about them–in front of a huge bunch of tourists–that she nearly bust the buttons of the basque of her period costume trying to keep her temper. Evidently it had never occurred to her that the bananas were out of place!
This post reminded me of Al Franken’s theory from “Lies and the lying liars who tell them -” Conservatives love America like a child loves his mommy, while liberals love America like a spouse loves their spouse. Or something like that.
Washington was undeniably remarkable. Perhaps a bit less so than Lincoln, but only by a hair. It certainly does them injustice to talk about them as though they were demigods. Lincoln probably had the clap, for instance. Got it on a visit to a brothel with his buddy Joshua Speed. Any less of a great president for it? Not a bit. I’d recommend Joseph Ellis’ biography on Washington (“His Excellency”) to you, OW, if you get the time. It’s an easy, excellent read.
When we took our older son on a visit to Washington, D.C. a few years ago (when he was nine), we visited the Lincoln Memorial. I asked him if he knew who the statue was of, and he replied promptly, “A man who was almost as great as Martin Luther King!”
I’d give a lot to know what both Lincoln and King would have thought of that. . .