By Suzanne Waring
If you were going to read up on one of our country’s founding fathers during our Celebration of the Declaration of Independence this year, what person would you choose? Would it be the fiery Patrick Henry, the pamphleteer Thomas Paine, the statesman John Adams, the prolific scholar and writer Thomas Jefferson, or the military general and first president George Washington? My bet would be on George Washington, and so it is with Channing J. Hartelius of Great Falls.
Even though Hartelius had an interesting history during elementary and high school, he zeroed in on George Washington when he attended law school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Since then whenever he has found the latest book or new information on Washington, he has delved into the topic. Washington was the major inspirational figure during those turbulent years as depicted by General Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee in Washington’s eulogy. Lee proclaimed that Washington was “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of our countrymen.” During this celebration year, Hartelius has been sharing his knowledge with others through symposiums when he talks about Washington’s personality and personal life, his contributions as a general, and his influence on the Declaration of Independence. Below is a snippet of what Hartelius so eloquently shares.
Washington’s Personality and Personal Life
From a wealthy family in Virginia, Washington cut a striking figure at 6’2”. When he married Martha Curtis, a widow, the couple became one of the wealthiest couples in the colonies. He had slaves at his Mount Vernon plantation, and in his will, he freed them at Martha’s demise. She, instead, freed them a year after Washington’s death. He was a good businessman and kept meticulous records at his plantation and during his public service. He was one of the first plantation owners who moved away from raising tobacco that depleted the soil to cultivating other crops. Washington loved horses, was an expert horseman, and kept over a hundred horses at Mount Vernon.
Washington was a member of the Masons for forty-seven years. His masonic life began at twenty years of age when he was initiated at the Fredericksburg, Virginia Lodge. He was deeply religious and attended services regularly. In personality, he had a temper that he could hold in check when in public, but not in private when people shrank away from his ire. Famous quotes attributed to him, such as “it is far better to be alone, then in bad company” and “truth will ultimately prevail where there is pain taken to bring it to light” reflect his moral compass, taken from the 110 Rules of Civility that he copied when he was fourteen years old.
The first time that Washington ran for the House of Burgess in Virginia, he lost miserably. The second time he plied voters with forty-seven gallons of beer, thirty-five gallons of wine, two gallons of cider, three and a half pints of brandy and seventy gallons of rum punch (note the detail in keeping precise records). He won the election.
Washington’s Contributions as a General
Washington was leading a ragtag untrained army of militias from the various colonies. Since he was highly respected and always had concern for his men, he made this army viable though discipline. He often led the charge during battle. He won battles over the eight years of the revolution, such as when he crossed the Delaware Christmas Evening 1776, and the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, but he was also a great general in the art of retreat by choosing the perfect moment and the best escape route. He knew that he didn’t have to win, but that he couldn’t lose the war. Unlike the British, he often used a military strategy that involved delaying tactics and using ambushes designed to wear down an opponent over time rather than risking a head-on battle, a strategy he had learned when fighting in the French and Indian War.
Washington kept the representatives of the Continental Congress informed, and though at times he was under attack by certain congressmen, his political acumen kept those challenges in check. Establishing the crucial precedent of civilian control over the armed forces in the United States, Washington believed in the subordination of the military to civil authority.
Washington’s Contributions as the First President under the New U.S. Constitution
Unlike the colonial dislike for various state representatives who fought over whether the states or the federal government should dominate, Washington had universal appeal throughout the country, and that made him the logical choice to become the first president.
To his credit, Washington used the words “under God” in the Presidential oath of office, initiated the State of the Union Address, started the tradition of the President serving only two terms in office, and established what we consider today as the presidential cabinet.
One of his attributes was to pick intelligent men to serve in his cabinet. Statesman John Adams was automatically a member since he became the Vice President. Washington picked Alexander Hamilton who had a brilliant mind and set up the country’s financial system. Hamilton was a prolific writer, skilled lawyer, and aggressive political strategist who at times struggled with impulsiveness and political tactlessness, which finally was the cause of a duel that ended his life. Washington named Thomas Jefferson as his Secretary of State who was a competent statesman and defined the role of U.S. consuls.
Hartelius Shares His Knowledge of George Washington
Hartelius has already shared his perspective on this topic at the Daly Mansion in Hamilton and at Victory Church in Great Falls. In the weeks to come, his tribute to Washington will be open to the public at the Great Falls History Museum’s Second Saturday event on August 8 at 1 pm.