Final answer:
George Washington's First Inaugural Address demonstrated civic virtues such as integrity, national unity, justice, moderation, and frugality. His actions emphasized a dedication to public welfare and later addresses reinforced the importance of good faith, justice, peace, and harmony both at home and abroad. Washington personified the classical concept of civic virtue, urging personal restraint for the greater good of the nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In George Washington's First Inaugural Address, several civic virtues integral to the success and maintenance of the new American Republic were demonstrated, though not explicitly itemized. His address and actions embodied values such as integrity, national unity, and a commitment to the public welfare. Washington's leadership style and his refusal to seize power showed his personal adherence to justice, moderation, and frugality, aligning with the sentiments expressed by George Mason in the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Additionally, Washington's later Farewell Address further emphasized virtues like good faith, justice, peace, and harmony, reinforcing the importance of these principles in international relations as well as domestic governance.
Influential founders like Washington and institutions such as the Society of the Cincinnati highlighted the significance of virtues stemming from military and public service. It was this lineage of republican virtue that formed the underpinning of Washington's vision of a country where liberty and civic responsibility were inextricably linked. The civic equality and education he promoted were foundational to the civic life of the nation. Finally, Washington's example encouraged an ethos where personal ambitions were subjugated to the greater national interest, encapsulating the essence of the classical concept of civic virtue.