One of the darkest moments in American history

The congressional break-in violates the ideals of the founding fathers of America

The storming of Congress will remain a disgrace in American history.

Reuters

America's greatness is not measured by having power, but by abandoning it.

On Wednesday, January 6th, protesters waving state flags and the flags of President Donald Trump stormed the US Congress building in "a state of rebellion and rebellion that the president had urged," according to what was reported by Republican Senator Mitt Romney from Utah.

"We can now add the date of January 6, 2021 to a short list of American history that represents situations of shame that we will live forever," he added in the post, Democratic Senator from New York Chuck Chomer, describing what happened as "a moment of great shame and disgrace." For our nation », and everyone will remember what happened as one of the darkest moments in American history.

On December 23, 1783, after the American Revolution won the war, General George Washington handed over his military powers to the US Congress.

And it has never happened since the time of the Roman Empire that a victorious commander surrendered his sword.

Washington’s behavior was surprising, to the extent that Britain’s King George III was unable to find words in describing him, so he said he was "the greatest man in the world."

Washington could have been the unchallenged dictator of America, but he kept the ideals of revolution and firmly entrenched the peaceful transfer of power.

Washington is acting to ensure "the interests of our dear country," and thus preserve the United States.

And this moment was eternally immortalized by the painter John Trumbull when he painted a picture of the transfer of power on the painting, which decorated the large room known as "Rotanda" in the Congress building since 1826, before the crowds on Wednesday defiled memories of the moment Washington abdicated power, carrying what They plundered him from Congress, and they were happy.

This was not a unique moment in Washington’s career only, as the handover of power to Washington was an act that stems from his sense of altruism and self-denial and affirmed it over and over again.

And that by defusing the possibility of a coup against Congress by his officers during the Newburg plot that they were trying to implement, so he appealed to them with their military honor.

General Washington said to them, "Let me appeal to you in the name of all of our country, given that you all value your sacred honor, and that you respect the rights of humanity, to express the utmost states of terror and hatred for the man who wishes, and under any suspicious pretexts, to destroy freedoms in our country, and who tries with evil intent to open Gates of civil strife ».

Once again, when the President of the United States refused to remain in power for a third term in the interest of a peaceful transfer of power, he recorded another position for his country and the world.

His example of a peaceful transfer of power was emulated by the first president to succeed him, John Adams, and all the other presidents who followed him until last week’s events.

President-elect Joe Biden was scheduled to deliver a speech to the nation on January 6th, to remind them that "America was about honor," and America has always been about honor.

As the Declaration of Independence in 1776 says, "We all pledge to care for one another's lives, our wealth and our sacred honor."

The founding fathers saw "sacred honor" as a moral and secular religious ideal to elevate the nation above all interests, including self-interest.

And Washington spoke about the importance of the nation during his military and political career.

This helped the peaceful transfer of power from his days until now.

And what happened on January 6th was a disgrace that would make Washington weep in his grave.

During the session on the evening of Wednesday, the sixth of January, which was aimed at ratifying the presidential elections, Democratic Senator Catherine Cortezmasto said, referring to the declaration of independence, "At that moment in history I cannot think of anything more patriotic than renewing our confidence in the Freedom Pact established by our founding fathers of the Republic."

On Thursday morning, Trump affirmed, "There will be an orderly transfer of power on January 20," and in fact, the peaceful transfer of power in Washington must not face any challenges again, even by joking.

America needs to refocus itself on its ideals, first on the example of its first president.

The nation must be placed above loyalty to parties and personal motivations.

And hand over power peacefully instead of trying to keep it.

The founding fathers saw “sacred honor” as a moral and secular religious example to elevate the nation above all interests, including self-interest.

• America needs to refocus itself on its ideals, first on the example of its first president.

The nation must be placed above loyalty to parties and personal motivations.

And the handover of power peacefully.

Craig Bruce Smith - historian and author of "American Honor"

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