Hold Your Tongue

On this day, the anniversary of the birth of George Washington, let us catch a glimpse of the character of the man, a fearless leader, committed to the highest codes of conduct, and unashamed of his spirituality. The following General Orders, written on August 3, 1776 were issued to the Continental army at New York before the Battle of Long Island and is known as Washington's order on profanity:

"That the Troops may have an opportunity of attending public worship, as well as take some rest after the great fatigue they have gone through; The General in future excuses them from fatigue duty on Sundays (except at the Ship Yards, or special occasions) until further orders. The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish, and wicked practice, of profane cursing and swearing (a Vice heretofore little known in an American Army) is growing into fashion; he hopes the officers will, by example, as well as influence, endeavour to check it, and that both they, and the men will reflect, that we can have little hopes of the blessing of Heaven on our Arms, if we insult it by our impiety, and folly; added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense, and character, detests and despises it."

From that standard, it sure seems like there is much vice and folly today. Not even the halls of government have been spared, as the Vice President, Dick Cheney, is known to have uttered profanity at a Senator, Leahy, for the Senator's persistent insinuation of wrongdoing on the part of the Vice President.

We have come a long way from George Washington.