Special to WorldTribune.com

By William Federer, the American Minute

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien describes man’s insatiable lust for “the Ring of Power”: Always remember Frodo, the Ring is trying to get back to its master. It wants to be found. Power wants to concentrate.

In a real sense, George Washington held that “Ring of Power” and gave it up … twice.

The first time was when Washington resigned his commission as general of the Continental Army in 1783.

The American-born painter Benjamin West was in England painting the portrait of King George III. When the King asked what General Washington planned to do now that he had won the war. West replied: They say he will return to his farm.

King George exclaimed: “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”

The King was in disbelief as Washington’s actions were in stark contrast to kings throughout history who killed to get power and killed to keep power.

George Washington gave up power again after having served two terms as president; he returned to his Mount Vernon farm. This was similar to Roman leader Cincinnatus, who twice led the Roman Republic to victory in battle then returned to his farm, resisting the temptation to be dictator.

The world stood amazed as President Washington delivered his Farewell Address, which was printed in the American Daily Advertiser, Sept. 19, 1796.

In his Farewell Address, Washington warned: “Let me now … warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of Party … This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its roots in the strongest passions of the human Mind … It is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy … Domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissention, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism ….

Washington warned: “It opens the doors to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the Government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country, are subjected to the policy and will of another … Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens), the jealousy of a free people to be constantly awake ….

Washington warned: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. … Let us with caution indulge the supposition that Morality can be maintained without Religion … Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national Morality can prevail in exclusion of Religious principle … Morality is a necessary spring of popular government … Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation?

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