The spectacle of the presidential race on the Democrat side, as well as two recent and highly publicized falls from grace by public officials, in New York State and Detroit, Michigan, makes me think of other historic rivalries and the difference character makes.  It is in the current context that history informs, and possibly warns.  Rivalries and competition are generally positive unless they get too personal.  Character in the final analysis means more for the country than courage, convictions or experience. 

There is not a man or woman in politics who has not at least unintentionally made enemies, or who has not done things objectively or subjectively let us say, not quite so good.  If one learns from mistakes and refrains from intentionally making enemies, then one minimizes personal opposition—and personal opposition is far more dangerous than issue or philosophical opposition.  Eventually, the garnering and nurturing of loyal support offsets and effectively defends against the barbs, remarks and maneuverings of opponents and can even win converts, except for those with the most vehement personal hatreds or vendettas.  It may be true what they say: friends come and go, but enemies accumulate. 

Benedict Arnold had a penchant for collecting enemies, whether in his native Connecticut or wherever he traveled.  He would either physically intimidate his rivals or personally humiliate them, often in public.  It may also be true what they say about ‘what goes around comes around,’ and how small the world really is.  Even today when there are 300 million people in these United States, it isn’t very wise to burn your bridges unnecessarily (you may need to cross over again, seek employment from an old boss, etc.).  Imagine mucking around when there were only 3 million people at the time of our nation’s founding!  Not to mention, your circle gets awfully small when you’re engaged in a patriots’ struggle with the Sons of Liberty; leading military campaigns; smuggling goods shipboard; trying to conduct business.  Indeed, all of us in practical terms create far smaller circles for ourselves than what the latest census indicates.   

George Washington had a temper but worked hard his whole life to control it.  He walked with humility, not lacking in prowess or confidence, but rather out of respect for others and out of respect for the cause, which he deemed larger than himself.  Washington had a number of rivals, but it is unlikely any of them hated him.  Both Arnold and Washington experienced unhappy circumstances growing up, consisting of serious financial reversals, untimely deaths, and family dysfunction.  In early adulthood, both experienced failure.  Both would become successful, self-made men.  Both were skilled and courageous at their work (Washington-surveyor and farmer; Arnold-seaman and druggist) and had a penchant for the military art.  Arnold’s drive, however, may have been a deep-seated resentment built up over years; whereas, Washington’s drive seems to have been almost entirely positive not negative. 

Life made Arnold bitter, whereas it made Washington better.  In the French and Indian War, Washington suffered defeat at Fort Necessity and participated in a disastrous expedition against Fort Duquesne.  In politics, he lost his first bid running for the House of Burgesses in Virginia.  Of course, he would later win even more consequential battles and even bigger political races.  What is remarkable is the way in which Washington remained civil and extraordinarily self-controlled and exhibited a servant’s heart to his men and to his chosen country.  Arnold suffered military defeat in Canada, despite heroic effort.  He also continued to nurse wholly selfish grievances, which silenced his future triumphs.  He became a well-deserved hero of the Revolution, taking a leading role in the decisive Saratoga Campaign.  Americans remember him for his treachery, however, because he sold his integrity to betray his countrymen.  For military daring, he was once compared to Hannibal; for character we compare him now to Judas. 

Wes Riddle is a retired military officer with degrees and honors from West Point and Oxford.  Widely published in the academic and opinion press, he ran for U.S. Congress (TX-District 31) in the 2004 Republican Primary.  Article loosely based on George Washington and Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots by Dave R. Palmer (2006).   

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