The Reluctant Leader

“... my movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution: so unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill, abilities and inclination which is necessary to manage the helm.”

By Capt. Andreas Neuman

319th Air Refueling Wing executive assistant

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — I suspect that should these words be spoken shortly before a modern day inauguration there would be a clamor so loud demanding a recount that the statues of our founding fathers would be forced to cover their ears. Luckily for those of us who love long weekends (not to mention for the department stores in need of a sales theme) the original author of this quote performed so well in his job that he inspired a national holiday, which allows us to take a break from ours.

The man who turned out to be more competent than his words belied was none other than George Washington, who wrote them in a letter to Henry Knox in 1789, less than 30 days prior to his swearing in as America’s first chief executive.

Scholars often refer to George Washington as a “reluctant leader” — a term that is as ambiguous as it is informative. Do these scholars mean to imply that our first president had something of a negative attitude, that he required incentives to accept the responsibility of the position, that after expending tremendous energy on the Revolutionary War he was prone to bouts of lethargy, or that he somehow did not place the appropriate level of importance on civic as opposed to military leadership?

Let’s examine whether there is some merit to the phrase “reluctant leader” in describing Washington. After leading the Continental Army to victory against Britain, he was eager to return to Mount Vernon and enjoy the peaceful life that he so earned. His contemporaries saw him as too important of a leader for this fate and asked him to represent Virginia as a delegate in the Constitutional Convention. He required convincing before acquiescing to the request.

As we just read, he did not exactly leap forward at the opportunity to grab the honor of, and his place in history as, becoming America’s first president. Before his first four years were complete, he had James Madison draft a farewell address. He had to be talked into continuing on for a second term. It looks like a pattern is forming — one that I am having trouble correlating with the unparalleled leadership I associate with General and Pres. Washington.

Perhaps if we continue to follow where the above quote takes us we will gain further insight.

Challenges

“I am sensible, that I am embarking the voice of my Countrymen and a good name of my own, on this voyage, but what returns will be made for them, Heaven alone can foretell. Integrity and firmness is all I can promise; these, be the voyage long or short, never shall forsake me although I may be deserted by all men. For of the consolations which are to be derived from these (under any circumstances) the world cannot deprive me.”

Well, this is a bit more like the father of our nation as I know him. Integrity and dedication to country is set above all else. Clearly, it was not for a lack of vigor and commitment that he is referred to as “reluctant.” Once he accepts ownership of the responsibility, the fear of letting down those who depended on him was paramount.

It was a daunting task he faced. To become the first president of a nation in its infancy takes the “political skill, abilities and inclination” of a superlative statesman. In his candid, albeit confidential letter, he expressed concern that he may not have sufficiently built up these qualities through his brilliant military career.

The task at hand was what was important, not his own glory, as is exemplified in another one of his quotes, “I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my country.” It was out of duty to country that he accepted the position; however, it was out of this same duty that he questioned whether or not he believed he was up to it.

It was all too clear to him that every action and statement that he would make would be subject to extreme scrutiny by contemporaries and future generations alike. “I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.” Granted, he did have the luxury of summoning the authors of the Constitution into conference when issues arose, but he felt the weight that even the seemingly mundane decisions carried.

A footnote

Another footnote in history which may be worth examining is the manner in which he proceeded to his inauguration — frankly it’s one that I am surprised was missed by all the news coverage I watched of the past inauguration. It concerns a subject that would be sensitive to most of us, so I’ll let the general use his own words. “Never ‘till within these last two years I have experienced the want to the necessity of doing — that is, to borrow money upon interest.” The letter continues on to request a modest loan from a neighbor.

That’s right, the father of our nation, despite being the owner of sizable property and a glorious reputation, had to borrow money to make the trip to his own ceremony. Could this be the start of the tradition of fiscally irresponsible presidents?

Fortunately, there was a good reason for his personal deficit spending ... When he accepted the command of the Continental Army, he declined a salary. (He did, however, file an expense account with Congress at the completion of his eight and a half years of service that included the cost of his laundry.) The concern over his reluctance to assume leadership definitely pales in light of his refusal of even the most basic of incentives.

It is a theoretical exercise, but it is not unreasonable to suppose that should there have been a person more qualified for the presidency he would have gladly endorsed and advocated for his election rather than his own. I expect that many of my contemporaries would view stepping aside and letting someone else cement their place in history as the ultimate act of selflessness. However, I submit that if the more capable of the two is the person stepping aside, this would be an act born of selfishness. I think General Washington agreed, and that’s why he postponed his ideal life at Mount Vernon, and why we can now refer to him as President Washington. I believe we can also safely refer to him as the original second-mile leader.

I’m glad that, despite his reluctance, he accepted the burden of leadership and performed admirably ... because I enjoyed my three-day weekend.

I hope all of you reading this today did as well.

Tags: northern sentinel