In this season of non-stop politically motivated electronic intrusions, last weekend's 2006 George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon Estate made one envious of the 18th century — particularly in agreement with the true national leader it honored.
"The Republic, in order to survive, must be built on principle rather than on men," was George Washington's guiding beacon for his time and the future, according to Jack D. Warren, Ph D, executive director, The Society of The Cincinnati, who presented the lead lecture of this 11th annual symposium.
Entitled, "The Lion In Winter," the two-day event focused on that time in Washington life after he left the Presidency in 1797 until his untimely death, Dec. 14, 1799. It also brought home the fact that he was not only our first President but also our first "former President."
As emphasized by Warren, he spent most of his adult life "at the center of American political life." Then he suddenly found himself suddenly on the outside looking in on national events that he feared, if not conducted prudently, would doom the new nation before it really secured a foothold.
But, as Warren drove home to the more than 200 attendees assembled in the Estate's auditorium, he never gave in to his own temptations or the pleadings of others to again return to the national stage. "Even in retirement, George Washington served as a role model to us all," Mount Vernon Ladies' Association Regent Gay Hart Gaines said.
"Washington was the transcendent hero of our classical age. He was the defining hero of that age and he knew it," Warren said.
Washington had basically retired when he married Martha Custis and inherited Mount Vernon Plantation. He retired again after the Revolutionary War and hoped to return to pursue his agricultural entrepreneurial goals.
"The Presidency was an unwelcome burden to him. As with most of our presidents who have served two terms, the first term is usually good and the second is usually miserable," Warren noted.
Warren pointed out that Washington was not pleased with those who were to succeed him. Although, John Adams had been his vice president for eight years he didn't particularly like him and the feeling was mutual, Warren noted. "Adams always considered Washington a competitor," he said.
When it came to Thomas Jefferson there was definitely no love lost. "Washington felt betrayed by Jefferson and although they were cordial to one another during Adam's inaugural they never spoke again after that," Warren emphasized.
LIKE MANY ACTIVE and involved leaders, Washington found retirement more annoying than enjoyable. He had spent more than 20 years away from Mount Vernon and he became frustrated with trying to make the plantation pay for itself upon his return, according to Warren.
Another annoyance was one of pint size compared to Washington 'six foot two inch stature -- they were his nieces and nephew, particularly the latter. After serving as a Commanding General and President, and being a highly organized individual, "he found young people primarily annoyed him," Warren said.
His other frustration was the slow development of Washington, D.C., which he had hoped would become not only the center of American government in his lifetime but also the cultural hub of the nation to rival Paris and London. "By the time Washington died, Washington, D.C. was proving more of a failure than a reality," Warren said.
He also grew more convinced that slavery should be abolished. In addition to not being compatible with the ideals of the new Republic it was, in Washington's view, counterproductive to his theory of a commercial economy. "Free labor, in the sense of being provided by free individuals, was better suited to a free economy, Washington believed," according to Warren.
In addition to being America's Founding Father, Washington may have also been a true visionary. "George Washington saw partisan politics as the potential downfall of the nation," according to Warren. "He complained that the upcoming elected leaders were unlearned."
A final letter pleading with him to once again save the nation and seek a third term as President arrived at Mount Vernon from Philadelphia on Dec. 16, 1789. Washington died Dec. 14, 1789.
OTHER SESSIONS of the symposium included "A Musical Remembrance With The Hildebrands." Using harpsichord, violin, English guitar, hammered dulcimer and vocal renditions, Ginger and David Hildebrand, performed music written to honor Washington and his life of national service.
There was also a tribute to entrepreneurial Washington and his distillery at the Gristmill.
There were also session on "Furnishings For Washington's Final Retirement," "A Fresh Look at his Private Life," the potential conflict between France and Great Britain that threatened to draw in the fledgling nation on the side of France, and "The Inspirations and Limitations of Washington's Will."
The entire intellectual experience culminated with two of the darkest days in the young nation's short history -- "The Death of George Washington" and "Mourning Our Father's Passing." Both put to rest what Washington himself described as the lion within in him.
As phrased by William Sommerfield in his 20 year rein as the personification of George Washington, reflecting on his advancing years, General Washington complained, "These days when dark comes and I retire, I never regain the deep sleep of my youth."
Dec. 14, 1799 that deep sleep returned.