Washington’s Most Revolutionary Moment Was Surrendering Absolute Power

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Washington’s most extraordinary achievement was not winning the Revolutionary War or helping found a new nation. It was something far rarer: He gave up power, twice. First, when he resigned his command after victory. Then again, when he stepped down as president, establishing a precedent no law required and no force could compel. In an age dominated by kings and emperors, Washington chose restraint, and in doing so, he helped define the American experiment. There’s really no comparison to what Washington did, except for Byzantine General Belisarius and Roman general Cincinnatus. After being granted absolute dictatorial authority to rescue an encircled Roman army, Cincinnatus…