Final answer:
The author's main opinion about George Washington is that he served as a role model for the new republic, embodying the exceptional talent and public virtue prized under the political and social philosophy of republicanism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author's main opinion about George Washington is that he served as a role model for the new republic, embodying the exceptional talent and public virtue prized under the political and social philosophy of republicanism. He retired as commander in chief of the Continental Army and returned to his Virginia estate at Mount Vernon, modeling his behavior on that of the Roman aristocrat Cincinnatus. Washington's retirement and dedication to agricultural life exemplified the values of the patrician or ruling class, emphasizing the importance of public service and the pursuit of a strong nation.