As Millions Honor Presidents’ Day – Washington And Lincoln Give Modern America Warning To Protect Their Rights

What’s Happening:

This week, Americans observe President’s Day, a holiday that honors some of our nation’s finest leaders. Most people will be celebrating the day, by taking off work. Some might not be thinking much about the day, which falls between Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays.

But those great leaders continue to shine a light, even during these dark times.

Today, we are saddled with leaders far weaker and visionless than those great men who came before them. But that doesn’t mean all is lost. America can find hope by looking back to men like Washington and Lincoln. And their advice continues to shape our future.

From Fox News:

“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” — Washington’s Address to the Officers of the Army, March 15, 1783…

“For in politics … my tenets are few and simple. The leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves and to exact it from others, meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved…”

“I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal.” — [Lincoln] Speech in Chicago, Illinois, July 17, 1858.

President’s Day is a chance to honor the great men who helped found this nation and held it together during dark times. Washington left us with a  treasure trove of wisdom, that both inspires leaders and Americans from all walks of life. Lincoln, as well, provided words of warning and inspiration that can help us refocus—at a time when political forces seek to tear us apart.

Washington warned of the threat of destroying the freedom of speech. This sacred right is protected in the First Amendment to the Constitution. Yet, today, people online want to rob Americans of their freedoms. They use the fear of “hate speech” to discourage people from speaking their minds. Washington knew what would happen if free speech was taken away from us.

We would be like sheep to the slaughter.

Washington also said that leadership in government should be simple. They are to be honest and just and demand others to do so. He also said the government should not meddle in affairs where “our own are not involved.” That is radically different than our current government, which believes it should decide everything about our lives.

Lincoln believed our most sacred right was to rise up and shake off a government for one that “suits them better.” He knew that democracy would empower Americans to do just that, to reject leaders that refuse to listen to us or serve us. He also said the “lamp of liberty” must burn in us until we are convinced “all men are created free and equal.”

In this day and age, many in our country would scoff at such remarks. But if we embrace them, and share them, more people might see the light.

Key Takeaways:

• President’s Day is a holiday to remember and honor Washington and Lincoln.
• Both leaders left behind wisdom that we need in these dark times.
• These presidents praised liberty, free speech, and the right to choose our own government.

Source: Fox News