George Washington: Banish the Plague of War
“My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.” ~ George Washington
Many of the Founders carried strong antiwar sentiments, particularly after enduring the long and brutal Revolutionary War. This is not to say that Washington, Adams, or Jefferson had perfect presidencies that avoided war; far from it. However, principle is something that goes beyond humanity. Every human is fallible, but principle is something to uphold and respect. Those who founded the United States, like it or not, were largely antiwar and structured the Constitution in a way that they felt would limit war (particularly from the Executive Branch) and avoid conquest. It often was a different story once those individuals gained power (such is the nature of government), but the principles behind the Constitution were indeed extraordinary and revolutionary.
