On Veteran’s Day, we honor those who have risked their lives in military service for America. Other countries have similar commemorations of the valor of their servicemen and women, but the vision Americans have fought for sets ours apart.  From revolutionary times, our military forces have fought to create and defend something unprecedented--“a new nation conceived in liberty.”

To honor America’s vision along with those who served to protect it, we should remember how that vision was put into words by the man who may be our most essential veteran--George Washington.  He was essential to our revolution’s success, the creation of our Constitution and the precedent of how to govern under it.  But he also knew his efforts were only a means to an end—maintaining liberty. 
 

“[Freedom is] a blessing, on which all the good and evil of life depends...” 

[T]he spirit of freedom beat too high in us to submit to slavery...” 

“We have taken up arms in defense of our liberty, our property; our wives and our children: We are determined to preserve them or die.” 

“The cause of America and of liberty...against which all the force and artifice of tyranny will never be able to prevail.” 

“Our cause is noble. It is the cause of mankind!” 

“[W]e mean to support the liberty and independence which have cost us so much blood and treasure to establish...” 

“[E]xpress your utmost horror and detestation of the man who wishes, under any specious pretenses, to overturn the liberties of our country...” 

“As the sword was the last resort for the preservation of our liberties, so ought it be the first to be laid aside when those liberties are firmly established.” 

“[Y]our union ought to be considered as a main prop to your liberty…” 

“Liberty will find itself...where the Government...[will] maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.” 

“Government...[is] instituted to protect the consciences of men from oppression…” 

“[E]veryone will reap the fruit of his labors; every one will enjoy his own acquisitions without molestation and without danger.” 

“[Government] has no more right to put their hands into my pockets, without my consent, than I have to put my hands into yours...” 

“The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.” 

“Government is not reason.  It is not eloquence.  It is a force, like fire: a dangerous servant and a terrible master.  Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.” 

“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty on the supposition that he may abuse it.” 

“[A]ll those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government.” 

“[M]aintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyments of the rights of person and property.” 

“[T]he preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American People.” 

“It has always been my creed that we should not be left as an awful monument to prove, ‘that mankind, under the most favorable circumstances, are unequal to the task of governing themselves, and therefore made for a master.’” 

In many years as “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen,” George Washington left us a legacy of wisdom in what he said as well as what he did.  As we honor America’s veterans, who have laid their lives on the line along with our first commander in chief, remember that what makes their sacrifices noble is that they have fought in the ongoing struggle to defend “this land of equal liberty” that Washington first led the way to win for us.

-

Gary M. Galles is a professor of economics at Pepperdine University. His research focuses on public finance and public choice (better termed the economics of government), the theory of the firm, the organization of industry and liberty­. He regularly contributes the "Quotable" column, featuring timeless excerpts from classical liberals.