"Pure politicians should respect and cherish religion and morality as pious people do."

If this sentence comes from Zhang San or Li Si, it may lead to laughter.

Because in the eyes of ordinary people, politics is playing with and trampling on morality, and politicians only slip out of their mouths when they deceive the people.

But fortunately, the person who said this has been practicing as much as possible in his life.

He is Washington, one of the founding fathers of America.

It is precisely because of this rare character of politicians that I think I should write some essays about great men, and I should put Washington in the first article.

As time goes by, we can feel the influence of Washington's political legacy in the development of world history more and more.

Unfortunately, we have only heard a few words about Washington, and most of our knowledge stays at the level of middle school textbooks. We were deeply impressed by Kangxi's traveling incognito and Yongzheng's wise image of SHEN WOO. Sitting in front of the TV, it seems that we are still from the Qing Empire.

In order not to always get lost in the political jungle, we should eliminate the light beam in our eyes. Because there are so many beautiful things in the world that we need to appreciate.

Washington is not from Zhong Ming's family. He lost his father when he was young. /kloc-started to make a living independently at the age of 0/7, and his education was even worse than Lincoln's. At most, there is only primary school. He also had a seemingly impeccable magical experience. At the age of 22, he became the commander-in-chief of Virginia and became a famous hero in one fell swoop. From 2 1 year-old to 26-year-old, he was fighting the French and Indians. But in the following 16 years, he was just an ordinary planter in Virginia.

It was the times that pushed him to the front of history again. 1775, Washington was elected commander-in-chief of the continental army. When he was ordered to be in danger, the colonial people faced the problem of freedom or slavery. At present, it seems that the enemy should obey the overall situation and move forward under the guidance of a god-like figure.

But we didn't see anything common in history on the American continent.

The pursuit of independence and freedom in the United States is always accompanied by people's vigilance against autocracy and distrust of power. Even john adams, who contributed to Washington's election as commander-in-chief, was embarrassed, because he was worried that when he set up a symbol of the cause of creating an independent country, historical experience made him realize that the risk was unusual: "All the strong people tried their best to seize all the power they could get."

Today, in the eyes of many of us, the process of the war of independence is an incredible political choice. However, even what seems impossible to us today was actually implemented at that time. Short-term military service has changed the troops in Washington. In order to build an effective army, Washington required soldiers to serve for three years in 1776. Although the delegates to the Continental Congress are enemies at present, they are still worried that an army with too tight internal organization will often be in danger of becoming a tool in the hands of tyrants. Finally, although the proposal was accepted, it was stipulated that each state had the right to appoint officers in its own army. They don't want to start with freedom and end with tyranny. Because they know that the blood of martyrs may also be exchanged for tyranny, and then demand respect for tyranny in the name of blood. But what's the point of bleeding just to change a slave?

Under normal circumstances, war is always inevitable, but Washington has always believed in the political value of morality. Even if his soldier's barefoot left bloodstained footprints in the snow, he could not be prompted to collect ammunition with a bayonet. He is waging a people's war. If that's all, then it's not just Washington that has done this throughout the ages.

But it is also on this issue that Washington's actions have eclipsed all emperors who wear crowns or have no emperor's name. At that time, the war of independence was extremely difficult. A doctor described the image of a soldier like this: "The shoes are rotten and exposed, and the bare legs can't be covered with tattered stockings. Pants are torn to shame, shirts are torn to pieces ... "It is such a group of people who fight for the freedom and independence of the United States. And the state has not given them the rewards they deserve. For example, for demobilized soldiers, even if they are in arrears for "four years, five years, maybe six years", the mainland parliament will not pay wages. They devoted their beautiful years to the cause of freedom and independence, but what they got was abject poverty and ingratitude. "They are heavily in debt and penniless, and they don't even have the fare to go home." Washington is saddened by this. Soldiers are also full of complaints.

But in the soldier's dissatisfaction, he saw a threat to freedom, not an opportunity to seize power.

When Colonel Lewis Nicholas wrote in 1782 urging Washington to assume the responsibility of the king of the United States.

When he was in office, he wrote back and said, "Nothing hurts me more than having this idea in the army during the whole war ... I hate and strongly condemn this extremely harmful view that will destroy my motherland." 1783, Hamilton also persuaded Washington to use the bayonet power of dissatisfied troops, and Washington also replied that he could not lead an action that "would cause domestic unrest and end in bloodshed".

I don't know if Washington has flashed anything in private. Because at that time, there was no precedent for the people to manage themselves. At that time, all the great powers were ruled by kings, and history can be said to be basically a history of kingship. There has never been a Republican government in a big country. Montesquieu thinks that republic is only suitable for small countries, while big countries are suitable for being ruled by autocratic monarchs. In Europe, it is generally believed that governing the country by the people themselves will only lead to anarchy and chaos in the world. But in any case, Washington did not go with the flow and added another crown to the world. However, there will be another president in this world, which will make the crown dull and even difficult to wear.

1783, 15 In March, he called a meeting of military officers to decide the direction of American history, and called on military officers not to "open the floodgates of civil strife" but to "give your descendants a reason to say,' Without this day, the world will never see human performance reach such a perfect state. "People seem indifferent. At the end of the speech, he took out a pair of glasses from his pocket. He said, "Please allow me to put on my glasses. For this country, I not only boiled my hair white, but also almost blinded my eyes. " Clashing man of iron shed tears. Between tyranny and civil strife. The American people fought for freedom and gained it, and got rid of the common revolutionary tragedy in history: the fight for freedom began with tyranny.

The American War of Independence was the only revolution in the history of the world that kept its promise. 1776 The Declaration of Independence solemnly declared to the world: "We hold the following truths to be self-evident: all men are created equal, and the creator endowed them with certain inalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and the right to pursue happiness. In order to protect these rights, human beings have established a government in it, and the legitimate power of the government is granted by the rulers. " Unlike many revolutions, these gripping words are not just propaganda materials for recruiting soldiers. When they seize power, they will become a dead letter. The history of the United States is the history of realizing these promises.

It is precisely because of this that German musician Schubert said that in the United States, thirteen "golden doors are open to the victims of intolerance and authoritarian politics." Henry graton, the leader of Irish nationalism, urged his compatriots: "Before you decide the feasibility of becoming a slave, please always look at the United States."

From 1775 as commander-in-chief of the continental army to 1783 issuing an order to declare "the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain cease fire", Washington struggled for freedom and independence for eight years. Paine said enthusiastically: "The sun has never shone on a more commendable cause", and Washington is the greatest warrior of this cause. Independence has created a generation of great men and given Washington unparalleled prestige and reputation. He is a unique idol in the hearts of the American people. However, not only did he have no insatiable ambition for absolute power, but even holding any public office was not what he wanted at that time. Washington has never let the North American continent lie dead for millions, bleeding thousands of miles-and it has never been as brilliant as many generals in China's history! -Washington showed the world for the first time that human beings can transcend the logic of fighting for their country and sitting on empty seats. They fight for independence and freedom, not for power and supreme status. This is an unprecedented contribution of the American War of Independence to the world.

All he needs is to enjoy the cool under his own grape trellis and fig tree and enjoy the relaxation of leaving the field to bid farewell to power. In a letter to lafayette, he said, "I finally became an ordinary citizen on the Potomac River."

It is his unparalleled political personality that makes it unnecessary for future generations to write these words when compiling his political biography: if he returns to Mount Vernon on Christmas Eve, he will be one of the greatest figures in American history, and his life can be said to be full of sacred glory. Washington doesn't need mediocrity to make such an assumption afterwards.

Although he later returned to politics, throughout his life, he did not cling to power in the name of fighting for the cause of the American people.

1789, Washington was elected as the first president of the United States as the only candidate, but he borrowed money to make up for his trip to new york, the temporary capital. When he drives his carriage on the road, he will change the course of human history He took an unprecedented road and will prove to the world that the view that mankind must have a savior is out of date. The torch of freedom will not go out. Because of his failure, it will be an example that human beings cannot be free and independent. When will mankind regain its confidence in pursuing freedom? Later generations are pleased to see that he left a road sign of freedom, not a tombstone.

During the first president, Washington was tired of the power struggle. 1792 is the presidential election year. He said to Madison, "He would rather pick up a hoe and earn a piece of bread than he is now." The question is how to transfer power smoothly after Washington leaves office. Will there be a bloody battle? There are too many lessons from history. In such an electoral country, how to transfer power is really related to the great cause in the future. The country needs him to go on. 1793, once again as the only candidate, the electoral college unanimously approved his re-election. He set a precedent of being re-elected as president for up to two terms.

In the farewell speech of 1796, he made up his mind to refuse to list himself as the next presidential candidate, but hoped to entrust him with the important task of governing the country through elections. In this year, Emperor Qianlong of China was transferred to Jiaqing and became emperor in 6 1 year.

1797 In March, Washington returned to Mount Vernon to run his own business. He did not hold public office all his life, but rested on the throne of power until his last breath. He did not choose a successor, but let the people choose. This is his outstanding contribution to human political civilization. He told later generations and contemporary people that kings and nobles are not indispensable, that the people have the ability of self-government and do not need powerful people to appoint successors. In the election, he stayed out of it, neither attacking Jefferson who betrayed himself nor cheering for john adams, thus showing the charm and vitality of the Republic.

He also hated partisan struggle and warned the American people of the danger of partisan struggle to the country, but he always remained fair. This can be said to be the limitation of this great man. He didn't realize what problems political * * * would have if there was no great man like him who was made by the times and widely expected. He didn't realize that the competition for political positions would inevitably lead to factional struggles.

Even at the last moment of his life, future generations can feel his personality charm. Flexner, one of his biographers, wrote, "Washington really thinks that the old tomb of Mount Vernon is too narrow and shabby. He intends to build a better one, but he doesn't want to build a memorial building in the country named after him. " He doesn't want downtown Washington to be his graveyard. Real monuments stand in people's hearts, not magnificent marble buildings. However, not all politicians understand and are willing to accept this truth.

When he closed the coffin, people were filled with sadness, not fear. His political legacy benefits not only the American people, but also the whole world. The American people need not worry now or in the future. When a great man dies, the sky collapses.

Washington ushered in a new era of politics. Although he was in power, he always listened to the call of conscience and used his power cautiously and humbly. He is a politician among politicians, a great man among great men. Later generations can see from him that politicians can still be such an image. It is he who tells the world with his words and deeds how well politics and morality can be combined. Politics is not always synonymous with shame, and it is not only political villains who can make contributions. Washington is like a beacon of political personality, always reminding people who have or want to have power not to get lost in the maze of power.

But Washington is not a natural right. He doesn't think so himself, and neither does his compatriots. He was resented by some people before his death and accused by some people after his death. Although he can be said to be another flag of the United States, and the American people will sing in folk songs: "Blow the horn of praise, let Washington's reputation spread all over the world and win cheers", the Americans did not hold him on the altar and compliment him as the savior of the American people. Because there has never been a political shrine in this land. Since then, the American people have never given their destiny and hope to saints. They admire Washington, but they are always wary of power.