Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide 4A | George Washington: The “Father of Our Country” 69
but I do not want soldiers to use their power to tell other people what
to do. That would be just as bad as a king telling everyone what to do.
We want a country where the people decide together what to do, not
kings or queens or armies. I must stop them from trying to take over!” Show image 4A-9: Washington takes center stage
Washington took out some of the papers he had brought to read to
the soldiers and began to read them out loud. When he finished, no
one cheered or clapped.
“I failed!” he thought. “They are too angry to listen to what I say.”Then he remembered something. “Wait!” he told the soldiers, “I have
one more paper to read to you.”He took out that paper, but the writing was small and he could not
see it clearly. He held it away from himself, then closer, but nothing
helped.[Ask: “What can George Washington use to help him read the paper?”
(spectacles)]
Show image 4A-10: Washington puts on his spectacles
Then, Washington took out his spectacles and said, “Gentlemen,
you will allow me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown
gray—and older—but almost blind, for my country’s sake.”The soldiers were surprised. They had never seen him use
spectacles before. In that moment, his soldiers felt ashamed—they
felt badly—about their idea of taking over the new country. They
remembered how strong George Washington was before, and how he
had always helped them and encouraged them.They thought, “He has worn himself out and has become old and
tired fighting for our freedom. He really loves this country.”Many of the soldiers were so ashamed that they began to cry. They
told one another, “If George Washington can wait a little longer to get
paid, we can, too. He is right; the important thing is to make sure we
start a country where the people work together to make decisions,
not just a king or queen or an army.”The soldiers agreed to do as General George Washington asked.
They fought the war to the end, and later they did get paid.