CinCs
The Constitutional Commander-in-Chief
In 1787, the flawed Articles of Confederation were failing, and the new United States of America was foundering. The best minds were once again called to Philadelphia to revise, revamp, amend and otherwise do whatever was necessary to give teeth to the ineffective laws.
George Washington, now in his mid-50s, and ex-General of the War of Independence, was again summoned to duty. At that age, advanced by the opinion of the day, Washington would have much preferred to tend to Martha, his vines and fig trees, but George Washington never failed to respond to the call from his country. Perhaps he also knew that his presence, if nothing else, would lend importance, credibility, status and legitimacy to the Constitutional Convention. It did.
Elected to “preside” over the convention, George Washington, in civilian clothes, spoke little according to most sources. But his presence was indeed felt, and, it is said, that “behind the scenes,” evening after evening, at dinners and in taverns, he played an active and participatory role. Always somewhat timid regarding his lack of formal education (and surrounded by graduates of Harvard, Princeton, Yale and William & Mary), he nevertheless provided his peers with his wisdom and un-common sense. If he spoke but little, what he did say was always of substance.
Thus, when the office of “President” was being debated by the convention delegates, they had to look no further than the front of the room to find their ideal – an ideal that remains even to this day. He was elected with no opposition. No one could come close. And no one doubted Washington’s devotion, ability and integrity.
The position of Commander-in-Chief, written into the Constitution as a presidential duty, reflects the times the founders lived in, and would forever be a blessing to posterity. Heads of state, be they kings, emperors, grand dukes or other royals, had always led their troops in battle since Biblical times, if not before. They would continue to do so until the mid-19th Century – at least in Europe.
And who better than George Washington to assume command of any army that might be needed by the fledgling country? He had proven himself as a battle commanded, and had already rejected the possibility of being a king. Sure he could be trusted to act in the country’s best interests – and best defense.
The Constitutional Commander-in-Chief
In 1787, the flawed Articles of Confederation were failing, and the new United States of America was foundering. The best minds were once again called to Philadelphia to revise, revamp, amend and otherwise do whatever was necessary to give teeth to the ineffective laws.
George Washington, now in his mid-50s, and ex-General of the War of Independence, was again summoned to duty. At that age, advanced by the opinion of the day, Washington would have much preferred to tend to Martha, his vines and fig trees, but George Washington never failed to respond to the call from his country. Perhaps he also knew that his presence, if nothing else, would lend importance, credibility, status and legitimacy to the Constitutional Convention. It did.
Elected to “preside” over the convention, George Washington, in civilian clothes, spoke little according to most sources. But his presence was indeed felt, and, it is said, that “behind the scenes,” evening after evening, at dinners and in taverns, he played an active and participatory role. Always somewhat timid regarding his lack of formal education (and surrounded by graduates of Harvard, Princeton, Yale and William & Mary), he nevertheless provided his peers with his wisdom and un-common sense. If he spoke but little, what he did say was always of substance.
Thus, when the office of “President” was being debated by the convention delegates, they had to look no further than the front of the room to find their ideal – an ideal that remains even to this day. He was elected with no opposition. No one could come close. And no one doubted Washington’s devotion, ability and integrity.
The position of Commander-in-Chief, written into the Constitution as a presidential duty, reflects the times the founders lived in, and would forever be a blessing to posterity. Heads of state, be they kings, emperors, grand dukes or other royals, had always led their troops in battle since Biblical times, if not before. They would continue to do so until the mid-19th Century – at least in Europe.
And who better than George Washington to assume command of any army that might be needed by the fledgling country? He had proven himself as a battle commanded, and had already rejected the possibility of being a king. Sure he could be trusted to act in the country’s best interests – and best defense.
