Echoes of Washington fill Biden’s noble departure

In 1796, after two terms as president of the United States, George Washington stepped away.

He could have run for another term and another — there was no two-term limit in those days — because the people wanted him and respected his leadership. But at 64 years of age, he was tired. And he was worn out from the nonstop job of being president and weary of the nonstop political attacks by his opponents that served only as a distraction, but a distraction nonetheless.

In the end, Washington walked away from the pinnacle of power toward a more quiet life at his home in Virginia.

Because of his incredible life of service to the America he helped birth, Washington has been and will be forever known as the “Father of His Country.”

In his farewell address, Washington spoke clearly of his need to step away. “… (E)very day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.”

He also explained to the people that the success of America lies in the unity of its people, so he warned the people to be wary of those who would try to divide them.

He warned America that political factions would try to obstruct the laws in order to place more power in the hands of the few. He cautioned about the abuse of political parties. “... (T)hey are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and usurp for themselves the reins of government ...”

There is so much more to learn from his address that I recommend it be re-read or read for the first time — because what Washington warned of and, by doing so, predicted, in 1796 is happening today.

He, like Benjamin Franklin, saw all this coming.

Don’t ask me how they knew we would get to a point in America when men would try to usurp power for their own selfish needs; when political factions would try to divide us and make us weak rather than unify us to keep us strong; and when men would focus on what was best for their political parties rather than what is best for their country.

But, here we are.

And here is President Joe Biden sounding a lot like Washington.

He didn’t have to step away from his reelection bid, but he did so to “pass the torch” to the next generation. That’s what Washington did.

Biden warned of the need to stop the Republican Party and its leader from dividing our country and thereby weakening it. He stepped down — giving up the most powerful position in the world — because he knew the United States needed his selfless act in order to continue this idea of self rule — an idea that enlightens the rest of the world and earns the respect and admiration of people everywhere who yearn to be Americans.

In so many ways Biden’s actions mirrored those of Washington. Their reasons were the same, their cautions were the same and the results, hopefully, will be the same.

If the people in this country pay heed to Biden’s words — like Americans of old followed Washington’s advice nearly 230 years ago — our republic will continue. We will continue to be the city on the hill, that beacon of freedom and the indispensable nation to the world.

But only if we listen. And only because Biden committed a noble act of service to his country.

And if that happens, what will we call Biden? He can’t be the father of his country because that is already taken.

Perhaps when historians and others look back on the United States many decades from now to see a country that threw off the yoke of an oppressive few in order to save their democracy, perhaps then they will come up with a name for Joe.

Something like “the grandfather of his country” when America needed him most.

 

Brian Greenspun is editor, publisher and owner of the Sun.