What a person writes–and often says in conversation–is best understood in context.
Such is the case with George Washington’s correspondence with Irish politician, Sir Edward Newenham, as referred to by Mr. Hjorth’s February 28 letter and his declared effort to “inform” us as to what the Father of Our Country “thought about religion.”
Newenham had expressed, in his writings to Washington, how gravely disappointed he was in what he viewed as Ireland’s softening attitude towards the rising Catholic middle classes and the government’s inability to deal with the success of the Defenders, a secret Catholic society whose sectarian violence was directed towards the Protestant gentry and landlords.
Given Newenham’s frustrations, one could readily see why he admired Washington’s leadership in emancipating America from the oppression of England.
Washington’s response to Newenham in 1792 was a commentary on the conflict Sir Edward was embroiled in between the Protestants and Catholics in Ireland. Washington’s comments were never intended to be construed as definitive positions on Washington’s “thoughts” about religion.
To the contrary, Washington understood the connection between religion and morality perhaps as well as any of the Founders. In his Farewell Address, after 20 years of service to the new nation, he gives this valedictory advice to the American people:
“Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths…? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
Hardly a man who discounted the importance of religion.
Garry Gamble
Grand Marais
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