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[[George Washington]] was so popular and respected that he probably could have become king.  He was in his fifties, about the age of our President Bush.  Even if Washington did not become king, he could have ruled as president for the rest of his life.  But his greatness was, like Jesus, in his declining power that was available to him in order to advance a greater good.  Washington was inaugurated as president in 1789 and voluntarily gave up power in 1797 at the age of 65 - seven years younger than presidential candidate John McCain.

[[George Washington]] was so popular and respected that he probably could have become king.  He was in his fifties, about the age of our President Bush.  Even if Washington did not become king, he could have ruled as president for the rest of his life.  But his greatness was, like Jesus, in his declining power that was available to him in order to advance a greater good.  Washington was inaugurated as president in 1789 and voluntarily gave up power in 1797 at the age of 65 - seven years younger than presidential candidate John McCain.

An example of Washington’s greatness was his handling of "Citizen" Edmond Genet (pronounced zhe – nay), who was sent by France to the United States just after the French Revolution.  France felt that the United States owed it assistance after all France did to help us win the Revolutionary War.  But in 1793 Washington issued his Proclamation of Neutrality to keep us neutral in the enormous turmoil in Europe.<make clearer> But Genet went around our new country stirring up pro-French sentiment with impassioned speeches.  He sent out private American citizens to attack British shipping (called “privateers,” but acting like pirates).  Washington told Genet to stop this, but he refused.  Washington told France to recall him.  But the French Revolution got out of hand, with senseless violence and executions.  “Citizen Genet,” as he was known, reasonably feared the guillotine if he returned to France.  He begged Washington to grant him asylum in this country.  Washington did.  Genet later married the daughter of the governor of New York, and became a normal farmer.

An example of Washington’s greatness was his handling of "Citizen" Edmond Genet (pronounced zhe – nay), who was sent by France to the United States just after the French Revolution.  France felt that the United States owed it assistance after all France did to help us win the Revolutionary War.  But Washington wanted to stay out of foreign conflicts.  But Genet went around our new country stirring up pro-French sentiment with impassioned speeches.  He sent out private American citizens to attack British shipping (called “privateers,” but acting like pirates).  Washington told Genet to stop this, but he refused.  Washington told France to recall him.  But the French Revolution got out of hand, with senseless violence and executions.  “Citizen Genet,” as he was known, reasonably feared the guillotine if he returned to France.  He begged Washington to grant him asylum in this country.  Washington did.  Genet later married the daughter of the governor of New York, and became a normal farmer.

Another example of George Washington's greatness was his handling of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.  Farmers in western Pennsylvania protested a 7-cent per gallon tax on corn whiskey.  These farmers refused to pay the tax, retaliated against farmers who did pay it, and attacked U.S. marshals and revenue agents.  Washington told the Pennsylvania governor to end the rebellion, but he refused.  Washington himself then raised an army from neighboring states and personally rode out as their leader to quell the rebellion.  The farmers gave up without bloodshed.  Several were caught, tried and convicted for their rebellion.  What did Washington do?  He pardoned them.  The successful suppression of this rebellion established the power of the federal government in the eyes of the people, and let people know that they should not challenge the president.

Another example of George Washington's greatness was his handling of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.  Farmers in western Pennsylvania protested a 7-cent per gallon tax on corn whiskey.  These farmers refused to pay the tax, retaliated against farmers who did pay it, and attacked U.S. marshals and revenue agents.  Washington told the Pennsylvania governor to end the rebellion, but he refused.  Washington himself then raised an army from neighboring states and personally rode out as their leader to quell the rebellion.  The farmers gave up without bloodshed.  Several were caught, tried and convicted for their rebellion.  What did Washington do?  He pardoned them.  The successful suppression of this rebellion established the power of the federal government in the eyes of the people, and let people know that they should not challenge the president.