“All see, and most admire, the glare which hovers round the external trappings of elevated office. To me there is nothing in it, beyond the lustre which may be reflected from its connection with a power of promoting human felicity.”

If only today's despots would but understand that one difference, the difference between promote and force.

Washington may have been the first "no drama" President. Now we will have no drama Obama. Hopefully O will also concentrate on promoting happiness.

Indeed. I don't know what Waffler is smoking, but Obama is a classic narcissist with a messiah complex who absolutely desires the trappings of elevated office and the 'glare' hovering over it. Washington did not seek the presidency at all -- Obama is a professional campaigner -- he has done nothing else. Washington and Obama are complete opposites.

O is going to promote happiness, how? Maybe he could give away cars just like Oprah?

I was only relating to the words in the quote "human felicity".

Washington had humility; Obama doesn't even know how to spell the word...let alone practice it.

E Archer and GWAP have it spelled out.

It is wonderful to hear the words so sweet, that the salt has not lost its flavor. O man with a heart, to speak those words, in due season, how sweet it is ! I will sing with the spirit, I will sing with my understanding. The light so bright, that shines in the dark night, till the day dawn, and the shadows flee away. Washington's felicity of heart , to seek and speak on behalf of that which good is. Humility before honour, his due.