Presidents’ Day: Learning from the best and making them proud

George Washington’s birthday (Presidents’ Day) is the most underrated American holiday. (His birthday, February 22, is celebrated unofficially on the third Monday of February as “Presidents’ Day,” although he deserves to maintain his own holiday.) Modern petty politics has obscured this fact, but the presidency is an inestimably weighty assignment; only worthy men — men who aspire to greatness, humility, steadiness, servanthood, wisdom, and the spirit of 1776 — should serve. Presidents’ Day reminds us of that solemn fact.

Although we deem ourselves enlightened — superior to our forefathers — a brief glance at history suggests otherwise. We have, for lack of a better term, “dumbed down” the presidency. The caliber of character required to hold this momentous office has plummeted; from presidential debates to inaugural addresses, the staples of the presidency are in grave decline.

Of course, you may counter that I am putting the presidents on a pedestal — and yes, that is exactly what I am doing. As a starry-eyed admirer of men like Washington and Abraham Lincoln, I believe we should venerate the heroes of the past — because they deserve it, yes, but also because it gives us something to aspire to. No one can fill Washington’s boots (or Lincoln’s hat), but the men who stand in their shadow should at least endeavor with great humbleness and respect to make them proud.

In other words, studying past presidents is healthy for the nation, raising the bar for modern presidents. If only we still read books about the presidents, we’d better discern what to look for (and avoid) in the men we elect.

So, what does it take to be a great president? Here are four lessons we should derive from the lives of the men whose faces adorn the Black Hills in South Dakota.

Dignity - George Washington

The Father of his country — the man who defined the American presidency — set the gold standard for subsequent presidents. I could have emphasized his humility, reluctance to serve, warnings about political factions — anything. Instead, I chose to highlight his dignity. A true gentleman, Washington carried himself with great honor and integrity, knowing that he represented an entire nation and their high-principled ideals. Every portrait of Washington commands instant respect for this reason. More than two centuries later, we know what kind of man he was, and we pine for his dignity in the city that bears his name.

Idealism - Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson penned America’s founding creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.” Even Jefferson’s detractors must admit that is one of history’s most remarkable feats. For generations, the Father of the Declaration of Independence epitomized the American faith, the principles that made us exceptional, and the convictions that sustained self-governance. Before we quarreled about realpolitik and other such pragmatic concerns, the Sage of Monticello reminded us that America was, first and foremost, a nation of believers.

Possibility - Theodore Roosevelt

Possibility is not the same thing as potential. Theodore Roosevelt more than maximized his potential and showcased the endless possibilities of a nation teeming with adventure. “Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood—the virtues that made America,” he wrote. “The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life.” Roosevelt embodied that ethos inside and outside the White House. If only more presidents shared his dynamism, the American Dream might never grow cold.

Statesmanship - Abraham Lincoln

And lastly, completing the portrait of great presidents, Lincoln promotes the tremendous, nation-saving power of statesmanship. While numerous presidents demonstrated dignity, idealism, and ambition, many ultimately failed due to the absence of statesmanship. But the Great Emancipator, who tempered his pride and aspirations with the vanishing virtue of prudence, saved the Union through gracious, reconciliatory, and wise leadership. To those who use our “extreme” era of politics as an excuse for unbecoming presidential conduct, try talking to the man who held the nation together during a civil war.  

Just as we long for the reappearance of leaders like Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln, we also yearn to preserve the form of government they believed in: government of, by, and for the people. Sign the Convention of States petition today to join the grassroots movement fighting to use the Constitution to restore self-governance!