Since the victory of the American Revolution there has rarely been a ground swell of everyday Americans rising up to restore their Liberties–until now. It is a remarkable time, but not dissimilar to the difficulties of 1776. We have an oppressive king–Washington D.C. elitists; a daunting army to fight–an overreaching federal government; and a ragtag, untrained, undisciplined army as our only defense–the modern liberty movement. What words would General George Washington, the patriot sage, give today to advise and inspire us? His words of yesteryear, based on original principles, are as fitting today as they were in his–Listen!
“The cause we are engaged in is so just and righteous that we must try to rise superior to every obstacle in its support.”[1] We need engaged citizens. “It appears as clear to me … that America never stood in more eminent need of the wise, patriotic, and spirited exertions of her [citizens] than at this period.”[1] “Clouds may hover over our political concerns, but a steady adherence to these principles will not only dispel them but render our prospects the brighter by such temporary obscurities.”[2] Some may want to shrink from the task with feelings of inadequate talents, but recall, Washington had “a consciousness of its being a trust too great for my capacity.”[3]
The patriot citizen was Washington’s secret resource. Historians have berated Washington as a general with no strategy as “not his forte” or “less than brilliant,” not unlike the critics of our day who berate the common people. But like Washington, we have a secret. “We had a secret resource of a nature unknown to the enemy, it was in the unconquerable resolution of our citizens, the conscious rectitude of our cause, and a confident trust that we should not be forsaken by Heaven.”[4] Like the detractors of our day, the enemies of 1776 and modern historians had not considered that Washington’s strategy was to rely on the hearts of the American people. This strategy proved successful then, and it will be successful again.
Our fight is daunting, but “we must not despair; the game is yet in our own hands; to play it well is all we have to do,… A cloud may yet pass over us; individuals may be ruined; and the country at large, or particular states, undergo temporary distress; but certain I am that it is in our power to bring the war to a happy conclusion.”[1] “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”[1] “The disadvantageous circumstances … under which the war was undertaken, can never be forgotten. The singular interpositions of Providence in our feeble condition was little short of a standing miracle.”[5]
“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed… The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance or the most abject submission…Our own country’s honor…call[s] upon us for a vigorous… exertion. Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the cause, and the aid of the Supreme Being in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble actions. The eyes of all our countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings and praises if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the tyranny meditated against them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each other…”[1] “In short, we must now determine to be enslaved or free. If we make freedom our choice, we must obtain it by the blessings of Heaven on our united and vigorous efforts.”[1] “Remember… that you are freemen, fighting for the blessings of liberty—that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like…”[6] patriots!
[1] To Philip Schuyler 1775
[2] To the citizens of Alexandria 1797
[3] To Martha Washington 1775
[4] Address intended for Congress 1789
[5] Farewell Orders to the Army 1783
[6] General Orders to the Army 1776