George Washington: Role Model Leadership

On January 6, 2020 a nightmare the Founding Fathers would never want to occur, happened.  The nation's Capitol was stormed and murder and mayhem committed.  History is littered with mob violence against governments. The French Revolution comes to mind.  Thousands of peasants tired of famine, rose up against an elite, ruling class that was ignoring the basic needs of its people. The irony in what happened on January 6, is that a fringe element of mainly average means Americans incited violence and criminal acts upon our Capitol to support an elitist President who spent  four years in office prioritizing policy and legislation that caters to the uber wealthy.  He achieved this appealing to the angry, disenfranchised, mainly white voters who felt they were losing power and opportunity.  Hence, the motto "Make America Great Again." His mode of communication involved name calling, bullying, and lying.  He achieved his goals for the wealthy class while convincing his supporters he was working for them.  History also has its share of ruthless dictators. It is a fact that Trump's support of two of the most cold blooded dictators in modern history:  Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un is no coincidence.  Why should the American people have expected Trump to peacefully turn over power to his successor?  Children are taught: birds of a feather, flock together.  If you want to know about a person, look at who their friends are.  The American people should and did see it coming. The Capitol police were complicit in the insurrection. These are ugly facts demonstrated by videos, selfies and the common sense logic that in 2019 the United States spent $718.69 billion dollars on military spending,  but on January 6, 2020 law enforcement could not stop a small group of lawless Trump supporters from breaching the Capitol.  Trump's lack of leadership is to blame.  

George Washington strove for virtue. In the 1700s, virtue was defined as a gentleman's calling to better the world through selfless acts of public service. He lived this first through his military service in the French Indian War, followed by incessant service in the Virginia commonwealth legislature, Continental Congress, Commander of the Revolutionary forces, President of the Constitutional Convention, and President of the United States.  One need not question Washington's motives for public service, his sacrifices and personal conduct prove his character.  Washington learned through the failures of the French Indian War (he lost 2/3rds of his force under General Braddock in the Battle of Fort Duquesne ) that to win a war,  it is a strategy of marathon endurance. He never gave up, but stuck it out through the British takeover of Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia when many leaders would have given up and fled.  As a young man in his 20s (see pic above), he learned the value of scouting and Indian alliances that would prove so critical to the success of the American Revolution.  It is highly unlikely that George Washington would have been chosen General in today's modern era.  When the Continental Congress voted on him, he had not donned a uniform in over 20 years and his resume boasted of losing a battle(Fort Duquesne)  where two thirds of his men perished. Yet, he was the perfect choice to lead.  He learned from his mistakes. He was humble, honest, and reserved. His was a world where actions speak louder than words.   In an age where victorious military leaders became dictators (his counterpart Napoleon Bonaparte), he possessed the heart and wisdom to rule productively. This meant that one's leadership should create a model for successive leaders to step down after accomplishing a legacy of  altruistic improvement for the good of society. Washington chose not to engage in vitriolic politics. His stoicism kept him above the fray. He focused on creating the framework for our fledgling, young country which eventually developed into the model democracy much imitated and envied across the world. 

So when choosing leaders, we must learn from our country's history.  A leader whose mission is virtue- the selfless sacrifice to better the plot of humanity is key.  As George Washington  proved, actions do speak louder than words. Experience is also key to having the best odds for making the soundest decisions. Good government is not happenstance. It comes from wise leaders, sacrifice and discipline for common good.  Had George Washington been alive today, he would have never approved of Trump's bombastic rhetoric and failed business acumen evidencing unsound judgment.  We can rest assured that his spirit is turning over in its grave in the wake of today's tragic transition of power.  We must remind ourselves of who we are and what we represent to the rest of the world.  We must honor the principles of The Father of our Country and get back to leadership that is representative of honor and virtue. 

"I Would Rather Be Lucky Than Good" The Lucky Events of 1776

Lefty Gomez, an all star pitcher for the New York Yankess in the 1930s is credited with the phrase, " I would rather be lucky than good."  Luck can never replace preparation. Luck can never replace hard work, but luck can and does sometimes override both.  George Washington had his heart set on beating back the British from New York. King George III sent over the largest armada of ships and men to ever sail the Atlantic (up until World War l) to quash the American rebellion. The man leading the army was William Howe. The man leading the navy, was his brother Richard Howe.  Lord Germain's strategy was to strike hard and fast. The idea was to crush the American army with one fell swoop, thereby ending the war.  What no one could have foreseen was the great luck that fell on the side of the Americans despite their enormous disadvantages.

                               General William Howe                 Admiral Richard Howe

The first bit of luck for America, was motive based.  King George was angry. He was not in a mood to compromise. His minister, Lord Germain understood this and sent the ships and manpower over  capable of crushing the insurrection.  Meanwhile, the brothers in charge, Admiral Richard and General William Howe, secretly desired to negotiate a peace.  Both brothers held sentimental appreciation for the people of Massachusetts after they raised funds to erect a statue of their brother George Howe in Westminster Abbey, London, to honor him for his contributions in the French and Indian War.  General Henry Clinton, in his memoirs, outlines specifically how the British forces should have crushed the American army after the Battle of Long Island. George Washington's troops were trapped and could have been bottlenecked by both General William Howe's men and Admiral Richard Howe's ships. Instead of seizing on the obvious opportunity to entrap the Continental Army, the Howe brothers intentionally decided not move forward. After the Battle of Long Island, Admiral Richard Howe invited two captured American officers, Lord Sterling and General John Sullivan to his ship to persuade them that a peace could be brokered. Meanwhile, General Washington was desperately moving his Continental Army off the island. Fortuitously, the task of transporting the whole army was possible due to a lucky change in wind conditions,  while Admiral Howe was distracted.  When dawn broke and the escape plan was about to be exposed and stopped, a thick, heavy fog settled, sealing everything out of sight.  The fog was so thick, vision was limited to six feet. 

Thankfully and with a lot of luck, the Continental army was able to escape to survive another day.  It is debatable as to whether the revolution would have carried on had the British destroyed the Americans in New York. What is not debatable is the fact that the struggling army made it possible for the American Revolution to carry on.  Luck, fate, good fortune?  However you describe it, sometimes it is definitely better to be lucky than good,  no matter how you look at it.

The Power of History: Historical Knowledge Saved This Country

John Adams

Many revolutions have come and gone. The French Revolution occurred shortly after the American Revolution. It involved many governments set up as tumbingling houses of cards with thousands of heads rolling off a guillotine. So what made the American Revolution successful?  How has America been able to stand the test of time and emerge as the world's leading democracy? John Adams was a student of history. His appetite for the classics and world histories was voracious. One can visit his historic landmark house in Massachusetts today and witness first hand a large and magnificent library that takes up a whole room from floor to ceiling on all sides. As a student of history, he knew that success was not in declaring a revolution, but sustaining it afterwards.

Although the Declaration of Independence is celebrated as the landmark moment of our budding republic, it is not our country's most important decision. It was John Adams who insisted that before independence could be declared, there must be a stable form of government in place in each of the thirteen colonies. On May 12, 1776, the Continental Congress resolved that a new state constitution be created in each of the colonies.  John Adams described this as "the most important resolution that was ever taken place in America."{Joseph Ellis, Revolutionary Summer,( US: Alfred. A Knopf: 2013), 17} It was critical that the new nation have states which formed governments that would support the budding republic.  Three colonies, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, asked John Adams to provide insight on what would formulate a strong, democratic state governing system. This is why Adams, revered as a leading constitutional thinker, published his great work Thoughts on Government. Stability and popular consent are key tenets in government. The fact that there was a safety net for which the young country could fall into was key in preventing  a takeover from various factions or rogue leaders (as so often happens, ranging from Napoleon Bonaparte to Fidel Castro). 

Not only was John Adams' study of history critical in the formation of our government, it served an important role when the British started winning the military battle for our country. After the Battle of Long Island and the landing of the largest armada overseas up until World War I, many Continental Congress delegates were disheartened.  George Washington was ashamed at how his troops responded, and he was trapped in a precarious postion. Yet it was stalwart Adams, chairman of the Board of War and Ordnance, who reflected on history for inspiration. Reflecting on Greek and Roman history, he reminded a downcast General Henry Knox of how Hannibal managed to lose the Punic war despite winning the battles. He referred to Thebes in the Peloponnesian War who won by a nontraditional strategy of skirmishing and retreat.  His references to history were the perfect way to keep both Congress and the Army hopeful.

Most challenges and issues in today's governments involve concerns that may be new, but ramifications that are as old as the pyramids.  To study history is to seek wisdom for solving today's problems with the yesterday's solutions.  The United States was so fortunate to have a statesman who valued historical lessons. With this knowledge, he was able to provide both a foundation for our country's progress and a moral comfort much needed to the military troops. John Adams was a shrewd leader.  May we all learn that with history, we can bring more to the table.   

George Washington's Strength: Press Forward

STRENGTH

"Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the "hero" within us is revealed." Bob Riley

The Father of our Country, George Washington, is revered for his leadership, stoicism, and wisdom. It is inspiring to focus on his strength in times of trouble. Before the battle of Trenton in 1776, Washington experienced a seemingly insurmountable low.  In just three months, 4,500 American soldiers were captured. The British also confiscated 3,000 muskets, 250 cannons, and 17,000 cannonballs. There were three main armies which suffered staggering attrition. More than three quarters of his soldiers in the main army had perished, deserted or were injured.  To compound all these struggles, Washington's right hand man and personal secretary, Adjutant General Joseph Reed, was plotting behind Washington's back to overthrow him. George discovered this by opening correspondence between Reed and Major General Charles Lee.

Imagine fighting a war where your soldiers were dying, deserting, and quitting left and right. Imagine your right hand man reporting to you but secretly jockeying to have you fired all along.  Imagine battling without proper equipment because the enemy has managed to steal your guns and ammo.  All this and George Washington remained strong. One of George's famous quotes is "Real men despise battle but will never run from it." He believed and practiced standing your ground. He also did not believe in excuses, tough it out. He remarked "It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one." He stood firm and tried. He did not always win. He lost many battles but he never gave up. In the end, his strength endured.

It is helpful to focus on strong leaders who prove that strength is in persistence. Strength, like muscle conditioning, gets stronger through routine and practice. We all face times in our lives where our strength and resolve are tested. This particularly happens when we make mistakes. George Washington, too, made mistakes. It is said that Washington was no military strategist. He lost a lot. What Washington excelled at was never giving up, keeping hope and faith alive, and maintaining the course. He kept the struggling, colonial army and militia together. He inspired them to fight another day. We must all remind ourselves of Washington's strength, give ourselves forgiveness, patience and understanding and remember as Leon Brown said, "You cannot travel back in time to fix your mistakes, but you can learn from them and forgive yourself for not knowing better."

Founding Father William Bingham: A Lesson in Diplomacy

William Bingham 1752-1804

Modern America needs to know the story of William Bingham. In today's bitterly divided political environment, it is important to remember that this is not the most divided this country has ever been. Although both sides of the political aisle are thrashing at each other and the politicians are crying "fake news", this is child's play compared to the political divisions of the new Republic. 

(1798, House of Representatives, Connecticut Rep. Griswold attacks Vermont Rep. Matthew Lyons on the House Floor)

In the early divisive days of our country's founding, two federal House Representatives (Griswold and Lyons) literally attacked each other on the House floor, one armed with a cane and the other fire tongs from the House of Representatives' fireplace. The Federalists and Republicans were both guilty of printing vicious lies by their yellow muckraker journalists William Cobbett, James Callender, and Benjamin Franklin Bache, to name a few. The Federalists believed that a strong, central government was necessary. The Republicans wanted states' rights, a close union with France, and the dismantling of arms and standing armies.  Both sides wanted nothing but the best for our infant country, while their tactics were in fact threatening it. There were repeated threats of secession from both New England and the South. George Washington, always above the fray of partisan politics, was bitterly attacked and not spared. Of course history remembers Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson being the biggest offenders of their respective parties. While all this was going on and tempers flaring, William Bingham always kept a cool head. A devoted Federalist, he started his work for the country as a young emissary to Martinique whose mission was to supply the revolutionary troops with necessities. Not only did he succeed in this at great cost, he helped bring France into the war on the side of the Americans. While in the West Indies, he learned the art of merchant trading and became a calculated risk taker and businessman throughout the course of his life. So much so, that most of his adult life after the Revolution, he was one of the wealthiest Americans in the country. This was an extraordinary fact as many of his business associates, including Robert Morris, the Philadelphia financier of the American Revolution, ended up in debtors prisons. While his contemporaries got caught up and bankrupted in the fever of wild land speculations, William Bingham kept his head above water despite owning millions of acres of forest land in Maine which did not sell.  He and his wife were known for their generous hospitality, inviting friend and political foe alike to their home for constant entertaining. He lived the advice and example of his successful merchant father in law, Thomas Willing who wrote in an autobiographical essay and lived till age 90:

(Thomas Willing, 1731-1821, Father of Anne Bingham, William Bingham's wife, Mayor of Philadelphia in 1763, Delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775, President of the First Bank of the United States)

"My success in life has not been derived from superior abilities, or extensive knowledge, a very small and scanty share of either have fallen to my lot; therefore it can only be ascribed to a steady application to whatever I have undertaken, a civil and respectful deportment to all my fellow citizens, and an honest and upright conduct in every transaction in life." *

(William Bingham in his home where he hosted many parties) 

William Bingham was the epitome of class and honorable deportment under political circumstances that tried other men's souls. As a delegation to President John Adams regarding an unpopular mission of sending an emissary to France, he kept his cool in the heated exchange of the delegates questioning the President's powers.  Not only did he always act with class, he continued to open his home to his political foes, despite there being no possibility of finding common ground. It was considered an honor in Philadelphia society to be invited to one of the Binghams' lavish fetes. Many of his rivals remarked with deep gratitude that he always treated them with respect. Thomas Jefferson, perhaps ideologically his biggest adversary, remained on friendly terms with both him and his wife, a remarkable achievement considering that Jefferson could not even get along with his cousin, the highly esteemed Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. 

With his sincere and smooth manner, he was elected to the Continental Congress and pushed for the adoption of a stronger government ,which led to the Constitutional Convention. He was later elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives rising to its Speaker. Subsequently, he was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate becoming President of the Senate. Following these years of coalition building which brought both sides together resulting in numerous good public works for Pennsylvania, he was elected to the United States Senate where he served as one of the cooler heads when tempers flared for war against France.  In addition to his public acts, he also advised Alexander Hamilton on what would become the country's first national bank. He wrote its bylaws and served as director. He built one of the most modern roads for the time, the Lancaster Turnpike and the needed Schuylkill bridge.

(Lancaster Turnpike)

His home was always a refuge of hospitality and splendor in the aim of bringing his family and  friends together. He opened his home to refugees fleeing the French Terror. He adored his wife and family. His wife Anne, was his reason d'etre. When his wife suddenly passed from a pneumonia type illness resulting from one of her favorite winter sleighing parties, he never quite got over it dying from what is believed to be complications from a stroke at age 52.

(Anne Willing Bingham 1764-1801)

William Bingham was of the old school, you didn't complain. You worked diligently and assiduously taking calculated risks. You sacrificed your time and resources for public office, public works and philanthropy. Among his many other philanthropic ventures, he was one of the founders of Dickinson College.  He never lost sight of the true aim of a worthwhile existence and that is to do good for your fellow man and be good while doing it, treating everyone with respect. It is good for us to remember that in this age of political division, this is not the worst it has been nor will it ever be. Leaders, like William Bingham, teach us that we must value each other not for our similarities but for all that brings us together with the goal of doing good for our fellow man. 

*The Golden Voyage: The Life and Times of William Bingham: 1752-1804, by Robert C. Alberts, published in 1969, the Epilogue, page. 441

The Comparison of the debt ridden Virginia Tobacco Plantations to Modern Health Care Costs

The history of "wealthy" Virginia Tidewater plantation owners who grew tobacco for a living is a brilliant life lesson in the politics of autonomy.  For many years, Virginia tidewater planters grew tobacco on their large plantations as a status symbol in the early American culture. The plantation owners included George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Planation owners were expected to loan money to their neighbors and townsfolk in a time where valued currency was hard to come by. Such loans existed on gentlemen's agreements and when a loan was called in, the owner apologized for such an imposition. The problem with the culture is that the plantation owners were really living stressed out lives of debt. They worked hard all year round: the planting, transplanting, topping, curating and prizing seasons dominated the local culture and dictated times of community gatherings. The fiction in it all was that the planters shipped off their hogsheads of tobacco to British merchants without any commercial say. The merchants determined the selling prices and shipped back ordered refined goods such as lace, silverware, and carriages.  The balance sheet was always in the negative based on the merchants' control of the market pricing and amount of goods ordered to ship back. The plantation owners found themselves living off of credit due to the merchants. They lived extravagant lives of debt. Over time, they felt trapped and helpless. It is surprising that they allowed this to go on for so long. When Virginian Patrick Henry rang the call for independence, the plantation owners internalized their need for independence in not just political terms, but also self autonomy from merchants who controlled their destiny. George Washington rejected the lifestyle of debt early on and turned his tobacco plantations to wheat farms. Robert Byrd sold off his belongings in a lottery that failed at paying off his debts. Others had similar doomed destinies including suicide, and penniliess endings.

Today we see the same lack of commercial savvy and trust in our nation's healthcare. While Congress endlessly debates over health care coverage, providers are charging exorbitant fees for medical services putting countless Americans into bankruptcy without even a say as to the pricing of the medical services they received.  This cannot go on too long before a movement in fueled barring Congressional action. Personal autonomy requires bargining in a commercial exchange. Whether it is the price for a shipment of goods or the cost of medical care, the consumer must have some say in cost for responsible choices to be made. Currently, a person may have a heart attack and is unconsciously transported to a facility where he or she cannot control unreasonable price gouging in the costs so effortlessly passed down to them. There are no bodies of independent regulation and appeal looking our for consumers in health costs. The closest thing is the government which goes after Medicare and Medicaid fraud. This does not help the American who is not on Medicaid or Medicare. How can a country be strong when so many of its voices have become helpless in bankruptcy courts?  The free market requires give and take. No government should dictate pricing in a commercial economy, but guidelines, prosecution of reckless avarice and choices need to be available and practiced.  We no longer answer helplessly to British merchants over the cost of our independent holdings, but we have traded this unconsciously for being hostages to our own healthcare prices.  Healthcare has turned into the modern debtor's prison. It is crippling our people. It cannot stand for our America to be proud and strong.

James Forten- The American Hero You Have Never Heard Of

Elemental to the American Revolution was the desire to be free. Americans wanted to create their own laws, control their own taxes, vote for their own people. Elevated in the pantheon hall of fame are George Washington, Ben Franklin, Patrick Henry and many others who fought for freedom or risked their lives by joining the cause and writing new laws.  Yet, a hero that American schoolchildren never hear of is James Forten.  James Forten was a free black man. His father had died at age seven, so he immediately went to work to help support his mother and family.  He worked tough jobs like chimney sweeping.  When the war broke out, at age fourteen he joined the cause. He sailed missions under Stephen Decature in a privateer ship. The Royal Louis was highly successful until one day the tables turned and everyone on board was captured.  British Royal Navy Captain John Beazley was enchanted  by young James. James had befriended his son on the ship. Captain Beazley offered James his freedom and a chance to sail to England for what he promised would be a better life.  Remarkably, James chose to be a prisoner instead. He refused to denounce his loyalty to America, despite the fact that he had no rights in his own country.  James would spend seven grueling months on the notorious prisoner of war ship, the Jersey.  An opportunity arose in his small group of prisoners to escape in a trunk in a prisoner exchange. It was determined that young James should go. However; James gave up his berth to freedom to a young white boy who was very sickly, Daniel Brewton. When the hour came, Brewton was successfully whisked to freedom concealed in the trunk. James and Daniel maintained a close friendship for the rest of their lives. Remarkably, James survived his imprisonment on the Jersey, despite the over 11,000 deaths of prisoners on the ship, many from unsanitary conditions.

After finally being released from the prison ship, James spent a year in London as the terms of prisoner exchange forbade him from fighting in the Revolution. England had progressed much farther than the United States in securing rights and liberties for blacks. He learned as much as he could that year abroad and returned home determined to become successful despite all the impediments his skin color imposed. He rose to foreman of  Robert Bridges' sailmaking operation. When Robert retired, Robert stunned all of Philadelphia by offering James the opportunity to buy his business. James employed both white and African American workers. He developed his own unique inventions to advance sailmaking. His sailmaking business was in great demand. He became one of the most wealthy and respected businessmen in Philadelphia. He had a reputatino for being not only a savvy businessman, but a kind and fair boss.

As his wealth grew, so did his leadership in the community and philanthropy. He successfully advocated against amendment to the Fugitive Slave Law which would have heaped many restrictions on African Americans.   He eventually led the African American community in opposing large scale colonization plans that were an attempt to rid the country of its black population. All this at a time where he could not even vote.  He suffered many indignities, such as the destruction of Pennsylvania's Hall, which he helped fund where African Americans would assemble for meetings. The list is long of how James Forten stood up against continued injustices thrown at the African American community intended to encourage their departure out of the country. He always maintained a calm dignity to his manner, no matter what was thrown at him. He charitably funded a newspaper instrumental in articulating the rights of the black community, in addition to funding schools that would educate and train children of color. Like acorns from a tree, all his children grew into strong advocates for the rights of black Americans following his lead.  He was an example in family, business, and the community. He was a strong pillar of his church.  When James Forten passed, he had one of the largest funerals Philadelphia had ever witnessed. His service was attended by black and white alike. James had loaned out much of his wealth to many needy Philadelphians of all persuasions and color during times where money could scarcely be found. When he died, a huge portion of his assests, the outstanding loans, were never repaid.  James Forten was not a man afraid of risk. He lived by principle and treated no man on the basis of the color of his skin.

As history passes, it is incumbent upon us to remember not just those whose stories we have glorified for the ages, but to include a Founding Father hero, James Forten, who achieved more with much less. James Forten is an example of how one must never accept the limitations told or handed down upon them. We each, individually, despite all circumstances are the masters of our fate and the world is a much better place when we bravely live our lives to improve the plot of others.