Mark E. Peterson, Part Three - George Washington, A Rock Upon the Rock

 For Part One, Part Two, or Part Four, make your choice and go for it! 

If Lincoln wasn't lofty enough, Elder Mark E. Peterson then pulls out our most illustrious founding father, George Washington, and repeats the warning he once gave:

The Quote

"It was George Washington, our first president, who said: 

“… we ought to be no less persuaded 

that the propitious smiles of Heaven 

can never be expected on a nation 

that disregards the eternal rules of order and right 

which Heaven itself has ordained. …” 

(First inaugural address, April 30, 1789.)

 

George Washington had lovely penmanship. Here's a copy of the speech where this quote comes from.

The actual quote is found in the third paragraph down where he gives assurances that he will govern for all people and not just for one political side or another, or for only special interests:

 

"...that the foundation of our national policy 

will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, 

and the preeminence of free government 

be exemplified by all the attributes 

which can win the affections of its citizens 

and command the respect of the world."

 

It's been awhile since I've heard a sentiment like this one in a political speech. Or this:

 

"...there exists in the economy and course of nature 

an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; 

between duty and advantage; 

between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy 

and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; 

since we ought to be no less persuaded 

that the propitious smiles of Heaven 

can never be expected 

on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right 

which Heaven itself has ordained; 

and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty 

and the destiny of the republican model of government 

are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, 

staked on the experiment 

entrusted to the hands of the American people."

 

I can feel in the language he uses the weight of the concerns he carries, the sense of history and gravitas, and the challenges he's had to go through to get to this point. A good and decent, solid man who had faith in God to help them do something that no one was sure would work. Happy to have him as my sixth cousin seven times removed.

He certainly left his mark on society. Even in productions such as the musical, "Hamilton", there is a feeling of that weight that he carried.