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Washington's Farewell Address 1796

1796
FriendsandCitizens: TheperiodforanewelectionofacitizentoadministertheexecutivegovernmentoftheUnitedStatesbeingnotfardistant,andthetimeactually arrivedwhenyourthoughtsmustbeemployedindesignatingthepersonwhoistobeclothedwiththatimportanttrust,itappearstomeproper, especiallyasitmayconducetoamoredistinctexpressionofthepublicvoice,thatIshouldnowappriseyouoftheresolutionIhaveformed,to declinebeingconsideredamongthenumberofthoseoutofwhomachoiceistobemade. Ibegyou,atthesametime,todomethejusticetobeassuredthatthisresolutionhasnotbeentakenwithoutastrictregardtoallthe considerationsappertainingtotherelationwhichbindsadutifulcitizentohiscountryandthatinwithdrawingthetenderofservice,whichsilencein mysituationmightimply,Iaminfluencedbynodiminutionofzealforyourfutureinterest,nodeficiencyofgratefulrespectforyourpastkindness,but amsupportedbyafullconvictionthatthestepiscompatiblewithboth. Theacceptanceof,andcontinuancehithertoin,theofficetowhichyoursuffrageshavetwicecalledmehavebeenauniformsacrificeof inclinationtotheopinionofdutyandtoadeferenceforwhatappearedtobeyourdesire.Iconstantlyhopedthatitwouldhavebeenmuchearlierin mypower,consistentlywithmotiveswhichIwasnotatlibertytodisregard,toreturntothatretirementfromwhichIhadbeenreluctantlydrawn.The strengthofmyinclinationtodothis,previoustothelastelection,hadevenledtothepreparationofanaddresstodeclareittoyoubutmature reflectiononthethenperplexedandcriticalpostureofouraffairswithforeignnations,andtheunanimousadviceofpersonsentitledtomy confidence,impelledmetoabandontheidea. Irejoicethatthestateofyourconcerns,externalaswellasinternal,nolongerrendersthepursuitofinclinationincompatiblewiththesentimentof dutyorpropriety,andampersuaded,whateverpartialitymayberetainedformyservices,that,inthepresentcircumstancesofourcountry,youwill notdisapprovemydeterminationtoretire. TheimpressionswithwhichIfirstundertookthearduoustrustwereexplainedontheproperoccasion.Inthedischargeofthistrust,Iwillonlysay thatIhave,withgoodintentions,contributedtowardstheorganizationandadministrationofthegovernmentthebestexertionsofwhichaveryfallible judgmentwascapable.Notunconsciousintheoutsetoftheinferiorityofmyqualifications,experienceinmyowneyes,perhapsstillmoreintheeyes ofothers,hasstrengthenedthemotivestodiffidenceofmyselfandeverydaytheincreasingweightofyearsadmonishesmemoreandmorethatthe shadeofretirementisasnecessarytomeasitwillbewelcome.Satisfiedthatifanycircumstanceshavegivenpeculiarvaluetomyservices,they weretemporary,Ihavetheconsolationtobelievethat,whilechoiceandprudenceinvitemetoquitthepoliticalscene,patriotismdoesnotforbidit. Inlookingforwardtothemomentwhichisintendedtoterminatethecareerofmypubliclife,myfeelingsdonotpermitmetosuspendthedeep acknowledgmentofthatdebtofgratitudewhichIowetomybelovedcountryforthemanyhonorsithasconferreduponmestillmoreforthe steadfastconfidencewithwhichithassupportedmeandfortheopportunitiesIhavethenceenjoyedofmanifestingmyinviolableattachment,by servicesfaithfulandpersevering,thoughinusefulnessunequaltomyzeal.Ifbenefitshaveresultedtoourcountryfromtheseservices,letitalways berememberedtoyourpraise,andasaninstructiveexampleinourannals,thatundercircumstancesinwhichthepassions,agitatedinevery direction,wereliabletomislead,amidstappearancessometimesdubious,vicissitudesoffortuneoftendiscouraging,insituationsinwhichnot unfrequentlywantofsuccesshascountenancedthespiritofcriticism,theconstancyofyoursupportwastheessentialpropoftheefforts,anda guaranteeoftheplansbywhichtheywereeffected.Profoundlypenetratedwiththisidea,Ishallcarryitwithmetomygrave,asastrongincitement tounceasingvowsthatheavenmaycontinuetoyouthechoicesttokensofitsbeneficencethatyourunionandbrotherlyaffectionmaybeperpetual thatthefreeConstitution,whichistheworkofyourhands,maybesacredlymaintainedthatitsadministrationineverydepartmentmaybestamped withwisdomandvirtuethat,infine,thehappinessofthepeopleoftheseStates,undertheauspicesofliberty,maybemadecompletebysocareful apreservationandsoprudentauseofthisblessingaswillacquiretothemthegloryofrecommendingittotheapplause,theaffection,andadoption ofeverynationwhichisyetastrangertoit. Here,perhaps,Ioughttostop.Butasolicitudeforyourwelfare,whichcannotendbutwithmylife,andtheapprehensionofdanger,naturalto thatsolicitude,urgeme,onanoccasionlikethepresent,tooffertoyoursolemncontemplation,andtorecommendtoyourfrequentreview,some sentimentswhicharetheresultofmuchreflection,ofnoinconsiderableobservation,andwhichappeartomeallimportanttothepermanencyofyour felicityasapeople.Thesewillbeofferedtoyouwiththemorefreedom,asyoucanonlyseeinthemthedisinterestedwarningsofapartingfriend, whocanpossiblyhavenopersonalmotivetobiashiscounsel.NorcanIforget,asanencouragementtoit,yourindulgentreceptionofmysentiments onaformerandnotdissimilaroccasion. Interwovenasistheloveoflibertywitheveryligamentofyourhearts,norecommendationofmineisnecessarytofortifyorconfirmthe attachment. Theunityofgovernmentwhichconstitutesyouonepeopleisalsonowdeartoyou.Itisjustlyso,foritisamainpillarintheedificeofyourreal independence,thesupportofyourtranquilityathome,yourpeaceabroadofyoursafetyofyourprosperityofthatverylibertywhichyousohighly prize.Butasitiseasytoforeseethat,fromdifferentcausesandfromdifferentquarters,muchpainswillbetaken,manyartificesemployedtoweaken inyourmindstheconvictionofthistruthasthisisthepointinyourpoliticalfortressagainstwhichthebatteriesofinternalandexternalenemieswill bemostconstantlyandactively(thoughoftencovertlyandinsidiously)directed,itisofinfinitemomentthatyoushouldproperlyestimatetheimmense valueofyournationaluniontoyourcollectiveandindividualhappinessthatyoushouldcherishacordial,habitual,andimmovableattachmenttoit accustomingyourselvestothinkandspeakofitasofthepalladiumofyourpoliticalsafetyandprosperitywatchingforitspreservationwithjealous anxietydiscountenancingwhatevermaysuggestevenasuspicionthatitcaninanyeventbeabandonedandindignantlyfrowninguponthefirst dawningofeveryattempttoalienateanyportionofourcountryfromtherest,ortoenfeeblethesacredtieswhichnowlinktogetherthevariousparts. Forthisyouhaveeveryinducementofsympathyandinterest.Citizens,bybirthorchoice,ofacommoncountry,thatcountryhasarightto concentrateyouraffections.ThenameofAmerican,whichbelongstoyouinyournationalcapacity,mustalwaysexaltthejustprideofpatriotism morethananyappellationderivedfromlocaldiscriminations.Withslightshadesofdifference,youhavethesamereligion,manners,habits,and politicalprinciples.Youhaveinacommoncausefoughtandtriumphedtogethertheindependenceandlibertyyoupossessaretheworkofjoint counsels,andjointeffortsofcommondangers,sufferings,andsuccesses. Buttheseconsiderations,howeverpowerfullytheyaddressthemselvestoyoursensibility,aregreatlyoutweighedbythosewhichapplymore immediatelytoyourinterest.Hereeveryportionofourcountryfindsthemostcommandingmotivesforcarefullyguardingandpreservingtheunionof thewhole.

TheNorth,inanunrestrainedintercoursewiththeSouth,protectedbytheequallawsofacommongovernment,findsintheproductionsofthe lattergreatadditionalresourcesofmaritimeandcommercialenterpriseandpreciousmaterialsofmanufacturingindustry.TheSouth,inthesame intercourse,benefitingbytheagencyoftheNorth,seesitsagriculturegrowanditscommerceexpand.Turningpartlyintoitsownchannelsthe seamenoftheNorth,itfindsitsparticularnavigationinvigoratedand,whileitcontributes,indifferentways,tonourishandincreasethegeneralmass ofthenationalnavigation,itlooksforwardtotheprotectionofamaritimestrength,towhichitselfisunequallyadapted.TheEast,inalikeintercourse withtheWest,alreadyfinds,andintheprogressiveimprovementofinteriorcommunicationsbylandandwater,willmoreandmorefindavaluable ventforthecommoditieswhichitbringsfromabroad,ormanufacturesathome.TheWestderivesfromtheEastsuppliesrequisitetoitsgrowthand comfort,and,whatisperhapsofstillgreaterconsequence,itmustofnecessityowethesecureenjoymentofindispensableoutletsforitsown productionstotheweight,influence,andthefuturemaritimestrengthoftheAtlanticsideoftheUnion,directedbyanindissolublecommunityof interestasonenation.AnyothertenurebywhichtheWestcanholdthisessentialadvantage,whetherderivedfromitsownseparatestrength,or fromanapostateandunnaturalconnectionwithanyforeignpower,mustbeintrinsicallyprecarious. While,then,everypartofourcountrythusfeelsanimmediateandparticularinterestinunion,allthepartscombinedcannotfailtofindinthe unitedmassofmeansandeffortsgreaterstrength,greaterresource,proportionablygreatersecurityfromexternaldanger,alessfrequent interruptionoftheirpeacebyforeignnationsand,whatisofinestimablevalue,theymustderivefromunionanexemptionfromthosebroilsandwars betweenthemselves,whichsofrequentlyafflictneighboringcountriesnottiedtogetherbythesamegovernments,whichtheirownrivalshipsalone wouldbesufficienttoproduce,butwhichoppositeforeignalliances,attachments,andintrigueswouldstimulateandembitter.Hence,likewise,they willavoidthenecessityofthoseovergrownmilitaryestablishmentswhich,underanyformofgovernment,areinauspicioustoliberty,andwhichareto beregardedasparticularlyhostiletorepublicanliberty.Inthissenseitisthatyourunionoughttobeconsideredasamainpropofyourliberty,and thattheloveoftheoneoughttoendeartoyouthepreservationoftheother. Theseconsiderationsspeakapersuasivelanguagetoeveryreflectingandvirtuousmind,andexhibitthecontinuanceoftheUnionasaprimary objectofpatrioticdesire.Isthereadoubtwhetheracommongovernmentcanembracesolargeasphere?Letexperiencesolveit.Tolistentomere speculationinsuchacasewerecriminal.Weareauthorizedtohopethataproperorganizationofthewholewiththeauxiliaryagencyofgovernments fortherespectivesubdivisions,willaffordahappyissuetotheexperiment.Itiswellworthafairandfullexperiment.Withsuchpowerfulandobvious motivestounion,affectingallpartsofourcountry,whileexperienceshallnothavedemonstrateditsimpracticability,therewillalwaysbereasonto distrustthepatriotismofthosewhoinanyquartermayendeavortoweakenitsbands. IncontemplatingthecauseswhichmaydisturbourUnion,itoccursasmatterofseriousconcernthatanygroundshouldhavebeenfurnishedfor characterizingpartiesbygeographicaldiscriminations,NorthernandSouthern,AtlanticandWesternwhencedesigningmenmayendeavortoexcite abeliefthatthereisarealdifferenceoflocalinterestsandviews.Oneoftheexpedientsofpartytoacquireinfluencewithinparticulardistrictsisto misrepresenttheopinionsandaimsofotherdistricts.Youcannotshieldyourselvestoomuchagainstthejealousiesandheartburningswhichspring fromthesemisrepresentationstheytendtorenderalientoeachotherthosewhooughttobeboundtogetherbyfraternalaffection.Theinhabitants ofourWesterncountryhavelatelyhadausefullessononthisheadtheyhaveseen,inthenegotiationbytheExecutive,andintheunanimous ratificationbytheSenate,ofthetreatywithSpain,andintheuniversalsatisfactionatthatevent,throughouttheUnitedStates,adecisiveproofhow unfoundedwerethesuspicionspropagatedamongthemofapolicyintheGeneralGovernmentandintheAtlanticStatesunfriendlytotheirinterests inregardtotheMississippitheyhavebeenwitnessestotheformationoftwotreaties,thatwithGreatBritain,andthatwithSpain,whichsecureto themeverythingtheycoulddesire,inrespecttoourforeignrelations,towardsconfirmingtheirprosperity.Willitnotbetheirwisdomtorelyforthe preservationoftheseadvantagesontheUnionbywhichtheywereprocured?Willtheynothenceforthbedeaftothoseadvisers,ifsuchthereare, whowouldseverthemfromtheirbrethrenandconnectthemwithaliens? TotheefficacyandpermanencyofyourUnion,agovernmentforthewholeisindispensable.Noalliance,howeverstrict,betweenthepartscan beanadequatesubstitutetheymustinevitablyexperiencetheinfractionsandinterruptionswhichallalliancesinalltimeshaveexperienced.Sensible ofthismomentoustruth,youhaveimproveduponyourfirstessay,bytheadoptionofaconstitutionofgovernmentbettercalculatedthanyourformer foranintimateunion,andfortheefficaciousmanagementofyourcommonconcerns.Thisgovernment,theoffspringofourownchoice,uninfluenced andunawed,adopteduponfullinvestigationandmaturedeliberation,completelyfreeinitsprinciples,inthedistributionofitspowers,unitingsecurity withenergy,andcontainingwithinitselfaprovisionforitsownamendment,hasajustclaimtoyourconfidenceandyoursupport.Respectforits authority,compliancewithitslaws,acquiescenceinitsmeasures,aredutiesenjoinedbythefundamentalmaximsoftrueliberty.Thebasisofour politicalsystemsistherightofthepeopletomakeandtoaltertheirconstitutionsofgovernment.ButtheConstitutionwhichatanytimeexists,till changedbyanexplicitandauthenticactofthewholepeople,issacredlyobligatoryuponall.Theveryideaofthepowerandtherightofthepeopleto establishgovernmentpresupposesthedutyofeveryindividualtoobeytheestablishedgovernment. Allobstructionstotheexecutionofthelaws,allcombinationsandassociations,underwhateverplausiblecharacter,withtherealdesigntodirect, control,counteract,orawetheregulardeliberationandactionoftheconstitutedauthorities,aredestructiveofthisfundamentalprinciple,andoffatal tendency.Theyservetoorganizefaction,togiveitanartificialandextraordinaryforcetoput,intheplaceofthedelegatedwillofthenationthewillof aparty,oftenasmallbutartfulandenterprisingminorityofthecommunityand,accordingtothealternatetriumphsofdifferentparties,tomakethe publicadministrationthemirroroftheillconcertedandincongruousprojectsoffaction,ratherthantheorganofconsistentandwholesomeplans digestedbycommoncounselsandmodifiedbymutualinterests. Howevercombinationsorassociationsoftheabovedescriptionmaynowandthenanswerpopularends,theyarelikely,inthecourseoftimeand things,tobecomepotentengines,bywhichcunning,ambitious,andunprincipledmenwillbeenabledtosubvertthepowerofthepeopleandtousurp forthemselvesthereinsofgovernment,destroyingafterwardstheveryengineswhichhaveliftedthemtounjustdominion. Towardsthepreservationofyourgovernment,andthepermanencyofyourpresenthappystate,itisrequisite,notonlythatyousteadily discountenanceirregularoppositionstoitsacknowledgedauthority,butalsothatyouresistwithcarethespiritofinnovationuponitsprinciples, howeverspeciousthepretexts.Onemethodofassaultmaybetoeffect,intheformsoftheConstitution,alterationswhichwillimpairtheenergyofthe system,andthustounderminewhatcannotbedirectlyoverthrown.Inallthechangestowhichyoumaybeinvited,rememberthattimeandhabitare atleastasnecessarytofixthetruecharacterofgovernmentsasofotherhumaninstitutionsthatexperienceisthesureststandardbywhichtotest therealtendencyoftheexistingconstitutionofacountrythatfacilityinchanges,uponthecreditofmerehypothesisandopinion,exposesto perpetualchange,fromtheendlessvarietyofhypothesisandopinionandremember,especially,thatfortheefficientmanagementofyourcommon interests,inacountrysoextensiveasours,agovernmentofasmuchvigorasisconsistentwiththeperfectsecurityoflibertyisindispensable.Liberty itselfwillfindinsuchagovernment,withpowersproperlydistributedandadjusted,itssurestguardian.Itis,indeed,littleelsethananame,wherethe governmentistoofeebletowithstandtheenterprisesoffaction,toconfineeachmemberofthesocietywithinthelimitsprescribedbythelaws,andto maintainallinthesecureandtranquilenjoymentoftherightsofpersonandproperty. IhavealreadyintimatedtoyouthedangerofpartiesintheState,withparticularreferencetothefoundingofthemongeographical discriminations.Letmenowtakeamorecomprehensiveview,andwarnyouinthemostsolemnmanneragainstthebanefuleffectsofthespiritof partygenerally. Thisspirit,unfortunately,isinseparablefromournature,havingitsrootinthestrongestpassionsofthehumanmind.Itexistsunderdifferent shapesinallgovernments,moreorlessstifled,controlled,orrepressedbut,inthoseofthepopularform,itisseeninitsgreatestrankness,andis trulytheirworstenemy. Thealternatedominationofonefactionoveranother,sharpenedbythespiritofrevenge,naturaltopartydissension,whichindifferentagesand countrieshasperpetratedthemosthorridenormities,isitselfafrightfuldespotism.Butthisleadsatlengthtoamoreformalandpermanent despotism.Thedisordersandmiserieswhichresultgraduallyinclinethemindsofmentoseeksecurityandreposeintheabsolutepowerofan individualandsoonerorlaterthechiefofsomeprevailingfaction,moreableormorefortunatethanhiscompetitors,turnsthisdispositiontothe purposesofhisownelevation,ontheruinsofpublicliberty. Withoutlookingforwardtoanextremityofthiskind(whichneverthelessoughtnottobeentirelyoutofsight),thecommonandcontinualmischiefs ofthespiritofpartyaresufficienttomakeittheinterestanddutyofawisepeopletodiscourageandrestrainit.

Itservesalwaystodistractthepubliccouncilsandenfeeblethepublicadministration.Itagitatesthecommunitywithillfoundedjealousiesand falsealarms,kindlestheanimosityofonepartagainstanother,fomentsoccasionallyriotandinsurrection.Itopensthedoortoforeigninfluenceand corruption,whichfindsafacilitatedaccesstothegovernmentitselfthroughthechannelsofpartypassions.Thusthepolicyandthewillofonecountry aresubjectedtothepolicyandwillofanother. Thereisanopinionthatpartiesinfreecountriesareusefulchecksupontheadministrationofthegovernmentandservetokeepalivethespiritof liberty.Thiswithincertainlimitsisprobablytrueandingovernmentsofamonarchicalcast,patriotismmaylookwithindulgence,ifnotwithfavor, uponthespiritofparty.Butinthoseofthepopularcharacter,ingovernmentspurelyelective,itisaspiritnottobeencouraged.Fromtheirnatural tendency,itiscertaintherewillalwaysbeenoughofthatspiritforeverysalutarypurpose.Andtherebeingconstantdangerofexcess,theeffort oughttobebyforceofpublicopinion,tomitigateandassuageit.Afirenottobequenched,itdemandsauniformvigilancetopreventitsburstinginto aflame,lest,insteadofwarming,itshouldconsume. Itisimportant,likewise,thatthehabitsofthinkinginafreecountryshouldinspirecautioninthoseentrustedwithitsadministration,toconfine themselveswithintheirrespectiveconstitutionalspheres,avoidingintheexerciseofthepowersofonedepartmenttoencroachuponanother.The spiritofencroachmenttendstoconsolidatethepowersofallthedepartmentsinone,andthustocreate,whatevertheformofgovernment,areal despotism.Ajustestimateofthatloveofpower,andpronenesstoabuseit,whichpredominatesinthehumanheart,issufficienttosatisfyusofthe truthofthisposition.Thenecessityofreciprocalchecksintheexerciseofpoliticalpower,bydividinganddistributingitintodifferentdepositaries,and constitutingeachtheguardianofthepublicwealagainstinvasionsbytheothers,hasbeenevincedbyexperimentsancientandmodernsomeof theminourcountryandunderourowneyes.Topreservethemmustbeasnecessaryastoinstitutethem.If,intheopinionofthepeople,the distributionormodificationoftheconstitutionalpowersbeinanyparticularwrong,letitbecorrectedbyanamendmentinthewaywhichthe Constitutiondesignates.Butlettherebenochangebyusurpationforthoughthis,inoneinstance,maybetheinstrumentofgood,itisthecustomary weaponbywhichfreegovernmentsaredestroyed.Theprecedentmustalwaysgreatlyoverbalanceinpermanentevilanypartialortransientbenefit, whichtheusecanatanytimeyield. Ofallthedispositionsandhabitswhichleadtopoliticalprosperity,religionandmoralityareindispensablesupports.Invainwouldthatmanclaim thetributeofpatriotism,whoshouldlabortosubvertthesegreatpillarsofhumanhappiness,thesefirmestpropsofthedutiesofmenandcitizens. Themerepolitician,equallywiththepiousman,oughttorespectandtocherishthem.Avolumecouldnottracealltheirconnectionswithprivateand publicfelicity.Letitsimplybeasked:Whereisthesecurityforproperty,forreputation,forlife,ifthesenseofreligiousobligationdeserttheoaths whicharetheinstrumentsofinvestigationincourtsofjustice?Andletuswithcautionindulgethesuppositionthatmoralitycanbemaintainedwithout religion.Whatevermaybeconcededtotheinfluenceofrefinededucationonmindsofpeculiarstructure,reasonandexperiencebothforbidusto expectthatnationalmoralitycanprevailinexclusionofreligiousprinciple. Itissubstantiallytruethatvirtueormoralityisanecessaryspringofpopulargovernment.Therule,indeed,extendswithmoreorlessforceto everyspeciesoffreegovernment.Whothatisasincerefriendtoitcanlookwithindifferenceuponattemptstoshakethefoundationofthefabric? Promotethen,asanobjectofprimaryimportance,institutionsforthegeneraldiffusionofknowledge.Inproportionasthestructureofa governmentgivesforcetopublicopinion,itisessentialthatpublicopinionshouldbeenlightened. Asaveryimportantsourceofstrengthandsecurity,cherishpubliccredit.Onemethodofpreservingitistouseitassparinglyaspossible, avoidingoccasionsofexpensebycultivatingpeace,butrememberingalsothattimelydisbursementstopreparefordangerfrequentlypreventmuch greaterdisbursementstorepelit,avoidinglikewisetheaccumulationofdebt,notonlybyshunningoccasionsofexpense,butbyvigorousexertionin timeofpeacetodischargethedebtswhichunavoidablewarsmayhaveoccasioned,notungenerouslythrowinguponposteritytheburdenwhichwe ourselvesoughttobear.Theexecutionofthesemaximsbelongstoyourrepresentatives,butitisnecessarythatpublicopinionshouldcooperate.To facilitatetothemtheperformanceoftheirduty,itisessentialthatyoushouldpracticallybearinmindthattowardsthepaymentofdebtstheremustbe revenuethattohaverevenuetheremustbetaxesthatnotaxescanbedevisedwhicharenotmoreorlessinconvenientandunpleasantthatthe intrinsicembarrassment,inseparablefromtheselectionoftheproperobjects(whichisalwaysachoiceofdifficulties),oughttobeadecisivemotive foracandidconstructionoftheconductofthegovernmentinmakingit,andforaspiritofacquiescenceinthemeasuresforobtainingrevenue,which thepublicexigenciesmayatanytimedictate. Observegoodfaithandjusticetowardsallnationscultivatepeaceandharmonywithall.Religionandmoralityenjointhisconductandcanitbe, thatgoodpolicydoesnotequallyenjoinitItwillbeworthyofafree,enlightened,andatnodistantperiod,agreatnation,togivetomankindthe magnanimousandtoonovelexampleofapeoplealwaysguidedbyanexaltedjusticeandbenevolence.Whocandoubtthat,inthecourseoftime andthings,thefruitsofsuchaplanwouldrichlyrepayanytemporaryadvantageswhichmightbelostbyasteadyadherencetoit?Canitbethat Providencehasnotconnectedthepermanentfelicityofanationwithitsvirtue?Theexperiment,atleast,isrecommendedbyeverysentimentwhich ennobleshumannature.Alas!isitrenderedimpossiblebyitsvices? Intheexecutionofsuchaplan,nothingismoreessentialthanthatpermanent,inveterateantipathiesagainstparticularnations,andpassionate attachmentsforothers,shouldbeexcludedandthat,inplaceofthem,justandamicablefeelingstowardsallshouldbecultivated.Thenationwhich indulgestowardsanotherahabitualhatredorahabitualfondnessisinsomedegreeaslave.Itisaslavetoitsanimosityortoitsaffection,eitherof whichissufficienttoleaditastrayfromitsdutyanditsinterest.Antipathyinonenationagainstanotherdisposeseachmorereadilytoofferinsultand injury,tolayholdofslightcausesofumbrage,andtobehaughtyandintractable,whenaccidentalortriflingoccasionsofdisputeoccur.Hence, frequentcollisions,obstinate,envenomed,andbloodycontests.Thenation,promptedbyillwillandresentment,sometimesimpelstowarthe government,contrarytothebestcalculationsofpolicy.Thegovernmentsometimesparticipatesinthenationalpropensity,andadoptsthrough passionwhatreasonwouldrejectatothertimesitmakestheanimosityofthenationsubservienttoprojectsofhostilityinstigatedbypride,ambition, andothersinisterandperniciousmotives.Thepeaceoften,sometimesperhapstheliberty,ofnations,hasbeenthevictim. Solikewise,apassionateattachmentofonenationforanotherproducesavarietyofevils.Sympathyforthefavoritenation,facilitatingtheillusion ofanimaginarycommoninterestincaseswherenorealcommoninterestexists,andinfusingintoonetheenmitiesoftheother,betraystheformer intoaparticipationinthequarrelsandwarsofthelatterwithoutadequateinducementorjustification.Itleadsalsotoconcessionstothefavorite nationofprivilegesdeniedtootherswhichisaptdoublytoinjurethenationmakingtheconcessionsbyunnecessarilypartingwithwhatoughttohave beenretained,andbyexcitingjealousy,illwill,andadispositiontoretaliate,inthepartiesfromwhomequalprivilegesarewithheld.Anditgivesto ambitious,corrupted,ordeludedcitizens(whodevotethemselvestothefavoritenation),facilitytobetrayorsacrificetheinterestsoftheirown country,withoutodium,sometimesevenwithpopularitygilding,withtheappearancesofavirtuoussenseofobligation,acommendabledeference forpublicopinion,oralaudablezealforpublicgood,thebaseorfoolishcompliancesofambition,corruption,orinfatuation. Asavenuestoforeigninfluenceininnumerableways,suchattachmentsareparticularlyalarmingtothetrulyenlightenedandindependentpatriot. Howmanyopportunitiesdotheyaffordtotamperwithdomesticfactions,topracticetheartsofseduction,tomisleadpublicopinion,toinfluenceor awethepubliccouncils.Suchanattachmentofasmallorweaktowardsagreatandpowerfulnationdoomstheformertobethesatelliteofthelatter. Againsttheinsidiouswilesofforeigninfluence(Iconjureyoutobelieveme,fellowcitizens)thejealousyofafreepeopleoughttobeconstantly awake,sincehistoryandexperienceprovethatforeigninfluenceisoneofthemostbanefulfoesofrepublicangovernment.Butthatjealousytobe usefulmustbeimpartialelseitbecomestheinstrumentoftheveryinfluencetobeavoided,insteadofadefenseagainstit.Excessivepartialityfor oneforeignnationandexcessivedislikeofanothercausethosewhomtheyactuatetoseedangeronlyononeside,andservetoveilandeven secondtheartsofinfluenceontheother.Realpatriotswhomayresisttheintriguesofthefavoriteareliabletobecomesuspectedandodious,while itstoolsanddupesusurptheapplauseandconfidenceofthepeople,tosurrendertheirinterests. Thegreatruleofconductforusinregardtoforeignnationsisinextendingourcommercialrelations,tohavewiththemaslittlepolitical connectionaspossible.Sofaraswehavealreadyformedengagements,letthembefulfilledwithperfectgoodfaith.Hereletusstop.Europehasa setofprimaryinterestswhichtoushavenoneoraveryremoterelation.Henceshemustbeengagedinfrequentcontroversies,thecausesofwhich areessentiallyforeigntoourconcerns.Hence,therefore,itmustbeunwiseinustoimplicateourselvesbyartificialtiesintheordinaryvicissitudesof herpolitics,ortheordinarycombinationsandcollisionsofherfriendshipsorenmities.

Ourdetachedanddistantsituationinvitesandenablesustopursueadifferentcourse.Ifweremainonepeopleunderanefficientgovernment. theperiodisnotfaroffwhenwemaydefymaterialinjuryfromexternalannoyancewhenwemaytakesuchanattitudeaswillcausetheneutralitywe mayatanytimeresolveupontobescrupulouslyrespectedwhenbelligerentnations,undertheimpossibilityofmakingacquisitionsuponus,willnot lightlyhazardthegivingusprovocationwhenwemaychoosepeaceorwar,asourinterest,guidedbyjustice,shallcounsel. Whyforegotheadvantagesofsopeculiarasituation?Whyquitourowntostanduponforeignground?Why,byinterweavingourdestinywith thatofanypartofEurope,entangleourpeaceandprosperityinthetoilsofEuropeanambition,rivalship,interest,humororcaprice? Itisourtruepolicytosteerclearofpermanentallianceswithanyportionoftheforeignworldsofar,Imean,aswearenowatlibertytodoitfor letmenotbeunderstoodascapableofpatronizinginfidelitytoexistingengagements.Iholdthemaximnolessapplicabletopublicthantoprivate affairs,thathonestyisalwaysthebestpolicy.Irepeatit,therefore,letthoseengagementsbeobservedintheirgenuinesense.But,inmyopinion,itis unnecessaryandwouldbeunwisetoextendthem. Takingcarealwaystokeepourselvesbysuitableestablishmentsonarespectabledefensiveposture,wemaysafelytrusttotemporaryalliances forextraordinaryemergencies. Harmony,liberalintercoursewithallnations,arerecommendedbypolicy,humanity,andinterest.Butevenourcommercialpolicyshouldholdan equalandimpartialhandneitherseekingnorgrantingexclusivefavorsorpreferencesconsultingthenaturalcourseofthingsdiffusingand diversifyingbygentlemeansthestreamsofcommerce,butforcingnothingestablishing(withpowerssodisposed,inordertogivetradeastable course,todefinetherightsofourmerchants,andtoenablethegovernmenttosupportthem)conventionalrulesofintercourse,thebestthatpresent circumstancesandmutualopinionwillpermit,buttemporary,andliabletobefromtimetotimeabandonedorvaried,asexperienceand circumstancesshalldictateconstantlykeepinginviewthatitisfollyinonenationtolookfordisinterestedfavorsfromanotherthatitmustpaywitha portionofitsindependenceforwhateveritmayacceptunderthatcharacterthat,bysuchacceptance,itmayplaceitselfintheconditionofhaving givenequivalentsfornominalfavors,andyetofbeingreproachedwithingratitudefornotgivingmore.Therecanbenogreatererrorthantoexpect orcalculateuponrealfavorsfromnationtonation.Itisanillusion,whichexperiencemustcure,whichajustprideoughttodiscard. Inofferingtoyou,mycountrymen,thesecounselsofanoldandaffectionatefriend,Idarenothopetheywillmakethestrongandlasting impressionIcouldwishthattheywillcontroltheusualcurrentofthepassions,orpreventournationfromrunningthecoursewhichhashitherto markedthedestinyofnations.But,ifImayevenflattermyselfthattheymaybeproductiveofsomepartialbenefit,someoccasionalgoodthatthey maynowandthenrecurtomoderatethefuryofpartyspirit,towarnagainstthemischiefsofforeignintrigue,toguardagainsttheimposturesof pretendedpatriotismthishopewillbeafullrecompenseforthesolicitudeforyourwelfare,bywhichtheyhavebeendictated. HowfarinthedischargeofmyofficialdutiesIhavebeenguidedbytheprincipleswhichhavebeendelineated,thepublicrecordsandother evidencesofmyconductmustwitnesstoyouandtotheworld.Tomyself,theassuranceofmyownconscienceis,thatIhaveatleastbelievedmyself tobeguidedbythem. InrelationtothestillsubsistingwarinEurope,myproclamationofthetwentysecondofApril,I793,istheindexofmyplan.Sanctionedbyyour approvingvoice,andbythatofyourrepresentativesinbothhousesofCongress,thespiritofthatmeasurehascontinuallygovernedme, uninfluencedbyanyattemptstodeterordivertmefromit. Afterdeliberateexamination,withtheaidofthebestlightsIcouldobtain,Iwaswellsatisfiedthatourcountry,underallthecircumstancesofthe case,hadarighttotake,andwasboundindutyandinteresttotake,aneutralposition.Havingtakenit,Idetermined,asfarasshoulddependupon me,tomaintainit,withmoderation,perseverance,andfirmness. Theconsiderationswhichrespecttherighttoholdthisconduct,itisnotnecessaryonthisoccasiontodetail.Iwillonlyobservethat,accordingto myunderstandingofthematter,thatright,sofarfrombeingdeniedbyanyofthebelligerentpowers,hasbeenvirtuallyadmittedbyall. Thedutyofholdinganeutralconductmaybeinferred,withoutanythingmore,fromtheobligationwhichjusticeandhumanityimposeonevery nation,incasesinwhichitisfreetoact,tomaintaininviolatetherelationsofpeaceandamitytowardsothernations. Theinducementsofinterestforobservingthatconductwillbestbereferredtoyourownreflectionsandexperience.Withmeapredominant motivehasbeentoendeavortogaintimetoourcountrytosettleandmatureitsyetrecentinstitutions,andtoprogresswithoutinterruptiontothat degreeofstrengthandconsistencywhichisnecessarytogiveit,humanlyspeaking,thecommandofitsownfortunes. Though,inreviewingtheincidentsofmyadministration,Iamunconsciousofintentionalerror,Iamneverthelesstoosensibleofmydefectsnotto thinkitprobablethatImayhavecommittedmanyerrors.Whatevertheymaybe,IferventlybeseechtheAlmightytoavertormitigatetheevilsto whichtheymaytend.Ishallalsocarrywithmethehopethatmycountrywillneverceasetoviewthemwithindulgenceandthat,afterfortyfiveyears ofmylifededicatedtoitsservicewithanuprightzeal,thefaultsofincompetentabilitieswillbeconsignedtooblivion,asmyselfmustsoonbetothe mansionsofrest. Relyingonitskindnessinthisasinotherthings,andactuatedbythatferventlovetowardsit,whichissonaturaltoamanwhoviewsinitthe nativesoilofhimselfandhisprogenitorsforseveralgenerations,IanticipatewithpleasingexpectationthatretreatinwhichIpromisemyselfto realize,withoutalloy,thesweetenjoymentofpartaking,inthemidstofmyfellowcitizens,thebenigninfluenceofgoodlawsunderafreegovernment, theeverfavoriteobjectofmyheart,andthehappyreward,asItrust,ofourmutualcares,labors,anddangers.

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