With the advent of a new year and the anniversary of the lamentable events of January 6, 2021, we can reflect on the positive accomplishments of our community. They include, but are not limited to, the continued robust support shown for front- line responders to the COVID pandemic, resolution of the long-festering Talbot Boys dispute, and emerging consciousness that the Trappe Lakeside Development may need further deliberation due to its potential adverse environmental and community impacts.
But it is also evident that the stress and strain of our national politics continue to manifest in our community—in letters to the editor and other commentary on a range of topics and especially the curious behavior of our representative in Congress. In light of the ongoing abrasion of our polity, it may be useful for those of us who frequent Easton’s Washington Street to recall a warning sounded by our first president in his farewell address in 1798.
According to Nathaniel Philbrick in his new book Travels with George, Washington ended his second term as President worried that a future leader could emerge “whose chief priority was to divide rather than unite the American people.” Such an event, according to Washington, could have dire consequences:
It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions.
Washington’s words from centuries ago have striking relevance to our times. One must hope that the strength our local community fabric will continue to counterbalance weakness afflicting our national politics.
J.T. Smith II served in the CIA, the Department of Health Education and Welfare, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce and the Department of State before becoming a partner in the law firm of Covington & Burling. He retired to Easton in 2005.
Matt LaMotte says
Having taught US History as well as US Gov’t for 20 years, “Washington’s Farewell Address” was was required reading every year! Hopefully, this next generation recognises its value and importance!
Michael Davis says
Thank you for this timely reminder.
Janet Larson says
Well said J.T.
Jeff McGuiness says
Well said, J.T. The next four years could be among the most challenging our nation has experienced. Let’s hope rational minds prevail in our community as we work or way through them.
B. Peter Rohman says
J.T.,
Thank you for your timely and positive note. Although we sometimes disagree, I always value your point of view. From my perspective both the past and current administrations have worked hard at dividing our country. Let’s hope that the next “leader” we elect will make healing a priority.
B Peter
Kathleen Linehan says
JT
You are so right….an amazingly prescient warning by our first President.
Jill Poe says
Washington was a forward thinker, a visionary. His words ring true to this day. Many other forward thinkers appreciate the same ideals. Can anyone in this country not appreciate Washington and his contribution to this country. Oh yes he was also also slave owner. Does this history negate everything else about George?
Craig Fuller says
Excellent reminder of the focus and concern our founding fathers had for our democracy. The entire book provides wonderful insights into a different time when a President-Elect and then President decided to tour the country at the rate of around 50 miles a day or less to get to know the people and their issues. We would be well served were leaders to be as attentive and as thoughtful about protecting our democracy! Thanks, J.T., for sharing.
R griffin says
Washington also understood the necessity of inoculations to preserve his army’s readiness over the British. He is recognized for the first mass vaccination effort. If only our community believed in science and duty to country the way Washington and his soldiers did, and putting others over self, maybe Christmas would be back to “normal” and mask free.
Howard Freedlander says
George Washington had abundant common sense. While Thomas Jefferson demeaned GW’s intelligence, the third US president focused on the wrong attributes.