In the current book that I am reading, the author divides the presidents into 5 different categories and rates them with a score of 1-5 (5 being the highest). I am currently on the character category and have had a passage stick in my mind about one of my heroes, George Washington.
In 1783 when the British forces had surrendered at Yorktown and were leaving New York City, Washington learned of a plotted coup among his senior officers. Being a man who would confront those who opposed him head-on, he called them all together to speak with them and let them know he knew about the conspiracy. He was going to tell them that the actions they were considering were going against the very things that they had fought the war over. Here is what the author, Alvin Stephen Felzenberg, says happened before the speech -
Eyewitnesses recorded that Washington had carried the day even before he delivered his speech. As he fumbled with his papers while putting on his reading glasses, Washington announced that he had "grown not only gray, but almost blind" in the service of his country. Moved by this sight, his underlings shelved their plans.
I stand in awe of the service of this great man - his integrity and character helped form this nation. Where are men and women of like character today? Where are political leaders who have been tested in character and not found wanting? Or are we content with those whose money, and the money of others, have caused them to be persons of influence? Character can only be learned through the constant refinement and continual testing that challenges bring. Let us elect good men and women to the offices of leadership, who are principled and will govern with integrity. Those who have proven that they can be trusted in difficult situations deserve our attention, rather than operatives who are owed favors or who have bought their positions.
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