This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.

                      Can you guess who said the following:  I have a disinclination to be longer buffeted in the public prints by a set of infamous scribblers.”

           Was it President George Bush, his father, a former President, or some other public figure?

Today we find a great deal of acrimony between the Administration and a number of liberal newspapers, led by the New York Times, who delight in revealing secret programs aimed at combating the terrorists.  We also note the liberal press is quick to criticize the President on just about any and all issues.

But…..it was not George Bush who issued that quote.

It was President George Washington.

Yes, our First President who is venerated today as the greatest leader of our country.  A man who today is above criticism and lauded everywhere for not only his military victory but also for the way he led the nation as its first President.

Followers of Thomas Jefferson were among those sharply critical of Washington because he refused to allow the young nation to become involved in the wars of the French Revolution.  Then in 1794 he signed the Jay Treaty which settled the long standing feud with Great Britain.  Jefferson and his followers deplored this action.

They claimed he had violated the Constitution.  They called him an Anglomaniac, a monocrat, a tyrant who must now ride in a closed carriage rather than make his way on foot or horseback.

The pettiest slight came on February 22, 1796 when the House of Representatives refused to congratulate the President, as it had done on each anniversary of his birth since he had held office.

Washington had consented to a second term only when pressured to do so….his supporters maintaining that the future of the nation was still unsettled and his influence as President was needed.

He had done so with great reluctance, and now he made up his mind that he would not seek another term.

           A great friend and supporter of Alexander Hamilton….the President wrote him those words…..about infamous scribblers.

           He decided to announce his decision to the public by a letter, or address to his countrymen.  In early May he enlisted the help of Hamilton to assist in drafting his famous Farewell Address which he delivered to the editor of the Philadelphia Daily American Advertiser.

In that address he explained his reasons for retiring, justified certain measures of his administration and propounded general principles that he hoped the nation would follow in the future.

In that lengthy address he clearly outlined the course that America should take in future affairs, including that of avoiding taking sides in any dispute among European nations.

So….even our very first President could not escape the ravings and criticisms of the press…..even as it continues today.

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.