FRIENDSANDFELLOW-CITIZENS:

1.Theperiodforanewelectionofacitizen,toadministertheexecutivegovernmentofthe

UnitedStates,beingnotfardistant,andthetimeactuallyarrived,

whenyourthoughtsmustbeemployeddesignatingtheperson,whoistobeclothedwiththatimportanttrust,

itappearstomeproper,especiallyasitmayconducetoamoredistinctexpression!!ofthepublicvoice,

thatIshouldnowapprizeyouoftheresolutionIhaveformed,todeclinebeing

consideredamongthenumberofthoseoutofwhomachoiceistobemade.

2.Ibegyouatthesametimetodomethejusticetobeassuredthatthisresolution

hasnotbeentakenwithoutastrictregardtoalltheconsiderationsappertaining

totherelationwhichbindsadutifulcitizentohiscountry;andthatinwithdrawing

thetenderofservice,whichsilenceinmysituationmightimply,

Iaminfluencedbynodiminutionofzealforyourfutureinterest,

nodeficiencyofgratefulrespectforyourpastkindness,butamsupported

byafullconvictionthatthestepiscompatiblewithboth.

3.Theacceptanceof,andcontinuancehithertoin,theofficetowhichyoursuffrages

havetwicecalledme,havebeenauniformsacrificeofinclinationtotheopinionofduty,

andtoadeferenceforwhatappearedtobeyourdesire.Iconstantlyhoped,

thatitwouldhavebeenmuchearlierinmypower,consistentlywithmotives,

whichIwasnotatlibertytodisregard,toreturntothatretirement,

fromwhichIhadbeenreluctantlydrawn.Thestrengthofmyinclinationtodothis,

previoustothelastelection,hadevenledtothepreparationofanaddresstodeclareittoyou;

butmaturereflectiononthethenperplexedandcriticalpostureofouraffairswithforeignnations,

andtheunanimousadviceofpersonsentitledtomyconfidenceimpelledmetoabandontheidea.

4.Irejoice,thatthestateofyourconcerns,externalaswellasinternal,

nolongerrendersthepursuitofinclinationincompatiblewiththesentimentofduty,

orpropriety;andampersuaded,whateverpartialitymayberetainedformyservices,

that,inthepresentcircumstancesofourcountry,youwillnotdisapprovemydeterminationtoretire.

5.Theimpressions,withwhichIfirstundertookthearduoustrust,

wereexplainedontheproperoccasion.Inthedischargeofthistrust,Iwillonlysay,

thatIhave,withgoodintentions,contributedtowardstheorganizationandadministration

ofthegovernmentthebestexertionsofwhichaveryfalliblejudgmentwascapable.

Notunconscious,intheoutset,oftheinferiorityofmyqualifications,

experienceinmyowneyes,perhapsstillmoreintheeyesofothers,

hasstrengthenedthemotivestodiffidenceofmyself;

andeverydaytheincreasingweightofyearsadmonishesmemoreandmore,

thattheshadeofretirementisasnecessarytomeasitwillbewelcome.

Satisfied,that,ifanycircumstanceshavegivenpeculiarvaluetomyservices,

theyweretemporary,Ihavetheconsolationtobelieve,

thatwhilechoiceandprudenceinvitemetoquitthepoliticalscene,patriotismdoesnotforbidit.

6.Inlookingforwardtothemoment,whichisintendedtoterminatethecareerofmypubliclife,

myfeelingsdonotpermitmetosuspendthedeepacknowledgmentofthatdebtofgratitude,

whichIowetomybelovedcountryforthemanyhonorsithasconferreduponme;

stillmoreforthesteadfastconfidencewithwhichithassupportedme;

andfortheopportunitiesIhavethenceenjoyedofmanifestingmyinviolableattachment,

byservicesfaithfulandpersevering,thoughinusefulnessunequaltomyzeal.

Ifbenefitshaveresultedtoourcountryfromtheseservices,

letitalwaysberememberedtoyourpraise,andasaninstructiveexampleinourannals,

thatundercircumstancesinwhichthepassions,agitatedineverydirection,

wereliabletomislead,amidstappearancessometimesdubious,

vicissitudesoffortuneoftendiscouraging,insituationsinwhichnotunfrequentlywantof

successhascountenancedthespiritofcriticism,theconstancyofyoursupportwas

theessentialpropoftheefforts,andaguaranteeoftheplansbywhichtheywereeffected.

Profoundlypenetratedwiththisidea,Ishallcarryitwithmetomygrave,

asastrongincitementtounceasingvowsthatHeavenmaycontinuetoyouthechoicesttokens

ofitsbeneficence;thatyourunionandbrotherlyaffectionmaybeperpetual;

thatthefreeconstitution,whichistheworkofyourhands,maybesacredlymaintained;

thatitsadministrationineverydepartmentmaybestampedwithwisdomandvirtue;than,infine,

thehappinessofthepeopleoftheseStates,undertheauspicesofliberty,

maybemadecomplete,bysocarefulapreservationandsoprudentauseofthisblessing,

aswillacquiretothemthegloryofrecommendingittotheapplause,theaffection,

andadoptionofeverynation,whichisyetastrangertoit.

7.Here,perhapsIoughttostop.Butasolicitudeforyourwelfarewhichcannotendbutwithmylife,

andtheapprehensionofdanger,naturaltothatsolicitude,urgeme,onanoccasionlikethepresent,

tooffertoyoursolemncontemplation,andtorecommendtoyourfrequentreview,

somesentimentswhicharetheresultofmuchreflection,ofnoinconsiderableobservation,

andwhichappeartomeall-importanttothepermanencyofyourfelicityasapeople.

Thesewillbeofferedtoyouwiththemorefreedom,asyoucanonlyseeinthemthedisinterestedwarnings

ofapartingfriend,whocanpossiblyhavenopersonalmotivetobiashiscounsel.

NorcanIforget,asanencouragementtoit,yourindulgentreceptionofmysentiments

onaformerandnotdissimilaroccasion.

8.Interwovenasistheloveoflibertywitheveryligamentofyourhearts,

norecommendationofmineisnecessarytofortifyorconfirm!!theattachment.

9.TheunityofGovernment,whichconstitutesyouonepeople,isalsonowdeartoyou.

Itisjustlyso;foritisamainpillarintheedificeofyourrealindependence,

thesupportofyourtranquillityathome,yourpeaceabroad;ofyoursafety;ofyourprosperity;

ofthatveryLiberty,whichyousohighlyprize.Butasitiseasytoforesee,

that,fromdifferentcausesandfromdifferentquarters,muchpainswillbetaken,manyartificesemployed,

toweakeninyourmindstheconvictionofthistruth;asthisisthepointinyourpoliticalfortressagainstwhich

thebatteriesofinternalandexternalenemieswillbemostconstantlyandactively

(thoughoftencovertlyandinsidiously)directed,itisofinfinitemoment,thatyoushouldproperlyestimate

theimmensevalueofyournationalUniontoyourcollectiveandindividualhappiness;

thatyoushouldcherishacordial,habitual,andimmovableattachmenttoit;accustomingyourselves

tothinkandspeakofitasofthePalladiumofyourpoliticalsafetyandprosperity;

watchingforitspreservationwithjealousanxiety;discountenancingwhatevermay

suggestevenasuspicion,thatitcaninanyeventbeabandoned;

andindignantlyfrowninguponthefirstdawningofeveryattempttoalienateanyportion

ofourcountryfromtherest,ortoenfeeblethesacredtieswhichnowlinktogetherthevariousparts.

10.Forthisyouhaveeveryinducementofsympathyandinterest.Citizens,bybirthorchoice,

ofacommoncountry,thatcountryhasarighttoconcentrateyouraffections.Thenameofamerican,

whichbelongstoyou,inyournationalcapacity,mustalwaysexaltthejustprideofPatriotism,

morethananyappellationderivedfromlocaldiscriminations.Withslightshadesofdifference,

youhavethesamereligion,manners,habits,andpoliticalprinciples.

Youhaveinacommoncausefoughtandtriumphedtogether;

theIndependenceandLibertyyoupossessaretheworkofjointcounsels,andjointefforts,

ofcommondangers,sufferings,andsuccesses.

11.Buttheseconsiderations,howeverpowerfullytheyaddressthemselvestoyoursensibility,

aregreatlyoutweighedbythose,whichapplymoreimmediatelytoyourinterest.

Hereeveryportionofourcountryfindsthemostcommandingmotivesforcarefullyguarding

andpreservingtheUnionofthewhole.

12.TheNorth,inanunrestrainedintercoursewiththeSouth,protected

bytheequallawsofacommongovernment,finds,intheproductionsofthelatter,

greatadditionalresourcesofmaritimeandcommercialenterpriseandpreciousmaterials

ofmanufacturingindustry.TheSouth,inthesameintercourse,benefiting

bytheagencyoftheNorth,seesitsagriculturegrowanditscommerceexpand.

TurningpartlyintoitsownchannelstheseamenoftheNorth,itfindsitsparticularnavigationinvigorated;

and,whileitcontributes,indifferentways,tonourishandincreasethegeneralmass

ofthenationalnavigation,itlooksforwardtotheprotectionofamaritimestrength,

towhichitselfisunequallyadapted.TheEast,inalikeintercoursewiththeWest,alreadyfinds,

andintheprogressiveimprovementofinteriorcommunicationsbylandandwater,

willmoreandmorefind,avaluableventforthecommoditieswhichitbringsfromabroad,

ormanufacturesathome.TheWestderivesfromtheEastsuppliesrequisitetoitsgrowthandcomfort,

and,whatisperhapsofstillgreaterconsequence,itmustofnecessityowethesecureenjoyment

ofindispensableoutletsforitsownproductionstotheweight,influence,

andthefuturemaritimestrengthoftheAtlanticsideoftheUnion,

directedbyanindissolublecommunityofinterestasonenation.

AnyothertenurebywhichtheWestcanholdthisessentialadvantage,

whetherderivedfromitsownseparatestrength,orfromanapostate

andunnaturalconnexionwithanyforeignpower,mustbeintrinsicallyprecarious.

13.While,then,everypartofourcountrythusfeelsanimmediateandparticularinterestinUnion,

allthepartscombinedcannotfailtofindintheunitedmassofmeansandeffortsgreaterstrength,

greaterresource,proportionablygreatersecurityfromexternaldanger,

alessfrequentinterruptionoftheirpeacebyforeignnations;and,whatisofinestimablevalue,

theymustderivefromUnionanexemptionfromthosebroilsandwarsbetweenthemselves,

whichsofrequentlyafflictneighbouringcountriesnottiedtogetherbythesamegovernments,

whichtheirownrivalshipsalonewouldbesufficienttoproduce,

butwhichoppositeforeignalliances,attachments,andintrigueswouldstimulateandembitter.

Hence,likewise,theywillavoidthenecessityofthoseovergrownmilitaryestablishments,

which,underanyformofgovernment,areinauspicioustoliberty,

andwhicharetoberegardedasparticularlyhostiletoRepublicanLiberty.

Inthissenseitis,thatyourUnionoughttobeconsideredasamainpropofyourliberty,

andthattheloveoftheoneoughttoendeartoyouthepreservationoftheother.

14.Theseconsiderationsspeakapersuasivelanguagetoeveryreflectingandvirtuousmind,

andexhibitthecontinuanceoftheunionasaprimaryobjectofPatrioticdesire.

Isthereadoubt,whetheracommongovernmentcanembracesolargeasphere?

Letexperiencesolveit.Tolistentomerespeculationinsuchacasewerecriminal.

Weareauthorizedtohope,thataproperorganizationofthewhole,withtheauxiliaryagency

ofgovernmentsfortherespectivesubdivisions,willaffordahappyissuetotheexperiment.

Itiswellworthafairandfullexperiment.WithsuchpowerfulandobviousmotivestoUnion,

affectingallpartsofourcountry,whileexperienceshallnothavedemonstrated

itsimpracticability,therewillalwaysbereasontodistrustthepatriotismofthose,

whoinanyquartermayendeavourtoweakenitsbands.

15.Incontemplatingthecauses,whichmaydisturbourUnion,itoccursasmatterofseriousconcern,

thatanygroundshouldhavebeenfurnishedforcharacterizingpartiesbyGeographicaldiscriminations,

NorthernandSouthern,AtlanticandWestern;whencedesigningmenmayendeavourtoexciteabelief,

thatthereisarealdifferenceoflocalinterestsandviews.Oneoftheexpedientsofpartytoacquireinfluence,

withinparticulardistricts,istomisrepresenttheopinionsandaimsofotherdistricts.

Youcannotshieldyourselvestoomuchagainstthejealousiesandheart-burnings,

whichspringfromthesemisrepresentations;theytendtorenderalientoeachotherthose,

whooughttobeboundtogetherbyfraternalaffection.

Theinhabitantsofourwesterncountryhavelatelyhadausefullessononthishead;

theyhaveseen,inthenegotiationbytheExecutive,andintheunanimousratificationbytheSenate,

ofthetreatywithSpain,andintheuniversalsatisfactionatthatevent,throughouttheUnitedStates,

adecisiveproofhowunfoundedwerethesuspicionspropagatedamongthemofapolicy

intheGeneralGovernmentandintheAtlanticStatesunfriendlytotheirinterestsinregardtothemississippi;

theyhavebeenwitnessestotheformationoftwotreaties,thatwithGreatBritain,andthatwithSpain,

whichsecuretothemeverythingtheycoulddesire,inrespecttoourforeignrelations,

towardsconfirm!!ingtheirprosperity.Willitnotbetheirwisdomtorelyforthepreservation

oftheseadvantagesontheunionbywhichtheywereprocured?

Willtheynothenceforthbedeaftothoseadvisers,ifsuchthereare,

whowouldseverthemfromtheirbrethren,andconnectthemwithaliens?

16.TotheefficacyandpermanencyofyourUnion,aGovernmentforthewholeisindispensable.

Noalliances,howeverstrict,betweenthepartscanbeanadequatesubstitute;

theymustinevitablyexperiencetheinfractionsandinterruptions,

whichallalliancesinalltimeshaveexperienced.

Sensibleofthismomentoustruth,youhaveimproveduponyourfirstessay,

bytheadoptionofaConstitutionofGovernmentbettercalculatedthanyourformer

foranintimateUnion,andfortheefficaciousmanagementofyourcommonconcerns.

ThisGovernment,theoffspringofourownchoice,uninfluencedandunawed,

adopteduponfullinvestigationandmaturedeliberation,completelyfreeinitsprinciples,

inthedistributionofitspowers,unitingsecuritywithenergy,

andcontainingwithinitselfaprovisionforitsownamendment,

hasajustclaimtoyourconfidenceandyoursupport.Respectforitsauthority,

compliancewithitslaws,acquiescenceinitsmeasures,

aredutiesenjoinedbythefundamentalmaximsoftrueLiberty.

Thebasisofourpoliticalsystemsistherightofthepeopletomake

andtoaltertheirConstitutionsofGovernment.

ButtheConstitutionwhichatanytimeexists,tillchangedbyanexplicit

andauthenticactofthewholepeople,issacredlyobligatoryuponall.

TheveryideaofthepowerandtherightofthepeopletoestablishGovernmentpresupposes

thedutyofeveryindividualtoobeytheestablishedGovernment.

17.AllobstructionstotheexecutionoftheLaws,allcombinationsandassociations,

underwhateverplausiblecharacter,withtherealdesigntodirect,control,counteract,

orawetheregulardeliberationandactionoftheconstitutedauthorities,

aredestructiveofthisfundamentalprinciple,andoffataltendency.

Theyservetoorganizefaction,togiveitanartificialandextraordinaryforce;toput,

intheplaceofthedelegatedwillofthenation,thewillofaparty,

oftenasmallbutartfulandenterprisingminorityofthecommunity;

and,accordingtothealternatetriumphsofdifferentparties,

tomakethepublicadministrationthemirroroftheill-concertedandincongruousprojectsoffaction,

ratherthantheorganofconsistentandwholesomeplansdigestedbycommoncounsels,

andmodifiedbymutualinterests.

18.Howevercombinationsorassociationsoftheabovedescriptionmaynowandthenanswer

popularends,theyarelikely,inthecourseoftimeandthings,tobecomepotentengines,

bywhichcunning,ambitious,andunprincipledmenwillbeenabledtosubvertthepowerofthepeople,

andtousurpforthemselvesthereinsofgovernment;destroyingafterwardstheveryengines,

whichhaveliftedthemtounjustdominion.

19.Towardsthepreservationofyourgovernment,andthepermanencyofyourpresenthappystate,

itisrequisite,notonlythatyousteadilydiscountenanceirregularoppositions

toitsacknowledgedauthority,butalsothatyouresistwithcarethespiritofinnovationupon

itsprinciples,howeverspeciousthepretexts.Onemethodofassaultmaybetoeffect,

intheformsoftheconstitution,alterations,whichwillimpairtheenergyofthesystem,

andthustounderminewhatcannotbedirectlyoverthrown.

Inallthechangestowhichyoumaybeinvited,rememberthattimeandhabitareatleastasnecessary

tofixthetruecharacterofgovernments,asofotherhumaninstitutions;

thatexperienceisthesureststandard,bywhichtotesttherealtendency

oftheexistingconstitutionofacountry;thatfacilityinchanges,uponthecreditofmerehypothesis

andopinion,exposestoperpetualchange,fromtheendlessvarietyofhypothesisandopinion;

andremember,especially,that,fortheefficientmanagementofourcommoninterests,

inacountrysoextensiveasours,agovernmentofasmuchvigorasisconsistent

withtheperfectsecurityoflibertyisindispensable.Libertyitselfwillfindinsuchagovernment,

withpowersproperlydistributedandadjusted,itssurestguardian.Itis,indeed,littleelsethananame,

wherethegovernmentistoofeebletowithstandtheenterprisesoffaction,toconfineeachmember

ofthesocietywithinthelimitsprescribedbythelaws,andtomaintain

allinthesecureandtranquilenjoymentoftherightsofpersonandproperty.

20.Ihavealreadyintimatedtoyouthedangerofpartiesinthestate,withparticularreference

tothefoundingofthemongeographicaldiscriminations.Letmenowtakeamorecomprehensiveview,

andwarnyouinthemostsolemnmanneragainstthebanefuleffectsofthespiritofparty,generally.

21.Thisspirit,unfortunately,isinseparablefromournature,

havingitsrootinthestrongestpassionsofthehumanmind.

Itexistsunderdifferentshapesinallgovernments,moreorlessstifled,

controlled,orrepressed;but,inthoseofthepopularform,

itisseeninitsgreatestrankness,andistrulytheirworstenemy.

22.Thealternatedominationofonefactionoveranother,sharpenedbythespiritofrevenge,

naturaltopartydissension,whichindifferentagesandcountrieshasperpetrated

themosthorridenormities,isitselfafrightfuldespotism.

Butthisleadsatlengthtoamoreformalandpermanentdespotism.

Thedisordersandmiseries,whichresult,graduallyinclinethemindsofmentoseeksecurity

andreposeintheabsolutepowerofanindividual;andsoonerorlaterthechiefofsomeprevailingfaction,

moreableormorefortunatethanhiscompetitors,turnsthisdisposition

tothepurposesofhisownelevation,ontheruinsofPublicLiberty.

23.Withoutlookingforwardtoanextremityofthiskind,(whichneverthelessoughtnottobeentirely

outofsight,)thecommonandcontinualmischiefsofthespiritofpartyaresufficienttomake

ittheinterestanddutyofawisepeopletodiscourageandrestrainit.

24.ItservesalwaystodistractthePublicCouncils,andenfeeblethePublicAdministration.

ItagitatestheCommunitywithill-foundedjealousiesandfalsealarms;kindlestheanimosity

ofonepartagainstanother,fomentsoccasionallyriotandinsurrection.

Itopensthedoortoforeigninfluenceandcorruption,whichfindafacilitatedaccess

tothegovernmentitselfthroughthechannelsofpartypassions.

Thusthepolicyandthewillofonecountryaresubjectedtothepolicyandwillofanother.

25.Thereisanopinion,thatpartiesinfreecountriesareusefulchecksupontheadministration

oftheGovernment,andservetokeepalivethespiritofLiberty.

Thiswithincertainlimitsisprobablytrue;andinGovernmentsofaMonarchicalcast,

Patriotismmaylookwithindulgence,ifnotwithfavor,uponthespiritofparty.

Butinthoseofthepopularcharacter,inGovernmentspurelyelective,itisaspiritnottobeencouraged.

Fromtheirnaturaltendency,itiscertaintherewillalwaysbeenough

ofthatspiritforeverysalutarypurpose.And,therebeingconstantdangerofexcess,

theeffortoughttobe,byforceofpublicopinion,tomitigateandassuageit.

Afirenottobequenched,itdemandsauniformvigilancetopreventitsburstingintoaflame,

lest,insteadofwarming,itshouldconsume.

26.Itisimportant,likewise,thatthehabitsofthinkinginafreecountryshouldinspirecaution,

inthoseintrustedwithitsadministration,toconfinethemselveswithintheirrespectiveconstitutionalspheres,

avoidingintheexerciseofthepowersofonedepartmenttoencroachuponanother.

Thespiritofencroachmenttendstoconsolidatethepowersofallthedepartmentsinone,

andthustocreate,whatevertheformofgovernment,arealdespotism.

Ajustestimateofthatloveofpower,andpronenesstoabuseit,

whichpredominatesinthehumanheart,issufficienttosatisfyusofthetruthofthisposition.

Thenecessityofreciprocalchecksintheexerciseofpoliticalpower,

bydividinganddistributingitintodifferentdepositories,

andconstitutingeachtheGuardianofthePublicWealagainstinvasionsbytheothers,

hasbeenevincedbyexperimentsancientandmodern;

someoftheminourcountryandunderourowneyes.

Topreservethemmustbeasnecessaryastoinstitutethem.

If,intheopinionofthepeople,thedistributionormodificationoftheconstitutionalpowers

beinanyparticularwrong,letitbecorrectedbyanamendmentintheway,

whichtheconstitutiondesignates.Butlettherebenochangebyusurpation;for,thoughthis,

inoneinstance,maybetheinstrumentofgood,

itisthecustomaryweaponbywhichfreegovernmentsaredestroyed.

Theprecedentmustalwaysgreatlyoverbalanceinpermanentevilanypartial

ortransientbenefit,whichtheusecanatanytimeyield.

27.Ofallthedispositionsandhabits,whichleadtopoliticalprosperity,

ReligionandMoralityareindispensablesupports.

InvainwouldthatmanclaimthetributeofPatriotism,

whoshouldlabortosubvertthesegreatpillarsofhumanhappiness,

thesefirmestpropsofthedutiesofMenandCitizens.

ThemerePolitician,equallywiththepiousman,oughttorespectandtocherishthem.

Avolumecouldnottracealltheirconnexionswithprivateandpublicfelicity.

Letitsimplybeasked,Whereisthesecurityforproperty,forreputation,forlife,

ifthesenseofreligiousobligationdeserttheoaths,

whicharetheinstrumentsofinvestigationinCourtsofJustice?

Andletuswithcautionindulgethesupposition,thatmoralitycanbemaintainedwithoutreligion.

Whatevermaybeconcededtotheinfluenceofrefinededucationonmindsofpeculiarstructure,

reasonandexperiencebothforbidustoexpect,thatnationalmoralitycanprevail

inexclusionofreligiousprinciple.

28.Itissubstantiallytrue,thatvirtueormoralityisanecessaryspringofpopulargovernment.

Therule,indeed,extendswithmoreorlessforcetoeveryspeciesoffreegovernment.

Who,thatisasincerefriendtoit,canlookwithindifferenceuponattemptstoshake

thefoundationofthefabric?

29.Promote,then,asanobjectofprimaryimportance,

institutionsforthegeneraldiffusionofknowledge.

Inproportionasthestructureofagovernmentgivesforcetopublicopinion,

itisessentialthatpublicopinionshouldbeenlightened.

30.Asaveryimportantsourceofstrengthandsecurity,cherishpubliccredit.

Onemethodofpreservingitis,touseitassparinglyaspossible;

avoidingoccasionsofexpensebycultivatingpeace,

butrememberingalsothattimelydisbursementstopreparefordangerfrequentlyprevent

muchgreaterdisbursementstorepelit;avoidinglikewisetheaccumulationofdebt,

notonlybyshunningoccasionsofexpense,butbyvigorousexertionsintimeofpeace

todischargethedebts,whichunavoidablewarsmayhaveoccasioned,

notungenerouslythrowinguponposteritytheburthen,whichweourselvesoughttobear.

Theexecutionofthesemaximsbelongstoyourrepresentatives,

butitisnecessarythatpublicopinionshouldcooperate.

Tofacilitatetothemtheperformanceoftheirduty,

itisessentialthatyoushouldpracticallybearinmind,

thattowardsthepaymentofdebtstheremustbeRevenue;

thattohaveRevenuetheremustbetaxes;thatnotaxescanbedevised,

whicharenotmoreorlessinconvenientandunpleasant;thattheintrinsicembarrassment,

inseparablefromtheselectionoftheproperobjects(whichisalwaysachoiceofdifficulties),

oughttobeadecisivemotiveforacandidconstructionoftheconductofthegovernmentinmakingit,

andforaspiritofacquiescenceinthemeasuresforobtainingrevenue,

whichthepublicexigenciesmayatanytimedictate.

31.ObservegoodfaithandjusticetowardsallNations;cultivatepeaceandharmonywithall.

ReligionandMoralityenjointhisconduct;andcanitbe,thatgoodpolicydoesnotequallyenjoinit?

Itwillbeworthyofafree,enlightened,and,atnodistantperiod,agreatNation,

togivetomankindthemagnanimousandtoonovelexampleofapeoplealwaysguided

byanexaltedjusticeandbenevolence.

Whocandoubt,that,inthecourseoftimeandthings,thefruitsofsuchaplanwouldrichlyrepay

anytemporaryadvantages,whichmightbelostbyasteadyadherencetoit?

Canitbe,thatProvidencehasnotconnectedthepermanentfelicityofaNationwithitsVirtue?

Theexperiment,atleast,isrecommendedbyeverysentimentwhichennobleshumannature.

Alas!isitrenderedimpossiblebyitsvices?

32.Intheexecutionofsuchaplan,nothingismoreessential,thanthatpermanent,

inveterateantipathiesagainstparticularNations,andpassionateattachmentsforothers,

shouldbeexcluded;andthat,inplaceofthem,

justandamicablefeelingstowardsallshouldbecultivated.

TheNation,whichindulgestowardsanotheranhabitualhatred,oranhabitualfondness,

isinsomedegreeaslave.Itisaslavetoitsanimosityortoitsaffection,

eitherofwhichissufficienttoleaditastrayfromitsdutyanditsinterest.

Antipathyinonenationagainstanotherdisposeseachmorereadilytoofferinsultandinjury,

tolayholdofslightcausesofumbrage,andtobehaughtyandintractable,

whenaccidentalortriflingoccasionsofdisputeoccur.

Hencefrequentcollisions,obstinate,envenomed,andbloodycontests.

TheNation,promptedbyill-willandresentment,sometimesimpelstowartheGovernment,

contrarytothebestcalculationsofpolicy.

TheGovernmentsometimesparticipatesinthenationalpropensity,

andadoptsthroughpassionwhatreasonwouldreject;atothertimes,

itmakestheanimosityofthenationsubservienttoprojectsofhostilityinstigatedbypride,

ambition,andothersinisterandperniciousmotives.

Thepeaceoften,sometimesperhapstheliberty,ofNationshasbeenthevictim.

33.Solikewise,apassionateattachmentofoneNationforanotherproducesavarietyofevils.

SympathyforthefavoriteNation,facilitatingtheillusionofanimaginarycommoninterest,

incaseswherenorealcommoninterestexists,andinfusingintoonetheenmitiesoftheother,

betraystheformerintoaparticipationinthequarrelsandwarsofthelatter,

withoutadequateinducementorjustification.

ItleadsalsotoconcessionstothefavoriteNationofprivilegesdeniedtoothers,

whichisaptdoublytoinjuretheNationmakingtheconcessions;

byunnecessarilypartingwithwhatoughttohavebeenretained;andbyexcitingjealousy,

ill-will,andadispositiontoretaliate,inthepartiesfromwhomequalprivilegesarewithheld.

Anditgivestoambitious,corrupted,ordeludedcitizens,(whodevotethemselves

tothefavoritenation,)facilitytobetrayorsacrificetheinterestsoftheirowncountry,

withoutodium,sometimesevenwithpopularity;gilding,withtheappearances

ofavirtuoussenseofobligation,acommendabledeferenceforpublicopinion,

oralaudablezealforpublicgood,thebaseorfoolishcompliancesofambition,

corruption,orinfatuation.

34.Asavenuestoforeigninfluenceininnumerableways,suchattachments

areparticularlyalarmingtothetrulyenlightenedandindependentPatriot.

Howmanyopportunitiesdotheyaffordtotamperwithdomesticfactions,

topractisetheartsofseduction,tomisleadpublicopinion,

toinfluenceorawethePublicCouncils!Suchanattachmentofasmallorweak,

towardsagreatandpowerfulnation,

doomstheformertobethesatelliteofthelatter.

35.Againsttheinsidiouswilesofforeigninfluence(Iconjureyoutobelieveme,fellow-citizens,)

thejealousyofafreepeopleoughttobeconstantlyawake;sincehistoryandexperienceprove,

thatforeigninfluenceisoneofthemostbanefulfoesofRepublicanGovernment.Butthatjealousy,

tobeuseful,mustbeimpartial;elseitbecomestheinstrument

oftheveryinfluencetobeavoided,insteadofadefenceagainstit.

Excessivepartialityforoneforeignnation,andexcessivedislikeofanother,

causethosewhomtheyactuatetoseedangeronlyononeside,

andservetoveilandevensecondtheartsofinfluenceontheother.

Realpatriots,whomayresisttheintriguesofthefavorite,

areliabletobecomesuspectedandodious;

whileitstoolsanddupesusurptheapplauseandconfidenceofthepeople,

tosurrendertheirinterests.

36.Thegreatruleofconductforus,inregardtoforeignnations,

is,inextendingourcommercialrelations,

tohavewiththemaslittlepoliticalconnexionaspossible.

Sofaraswehavealreadyformedengagements,letthembefulfilledwithperfectgoodfaith.

Hereletusstop.

37.Europehasasetofprimaryinterests,whichtoushavenone,oraveryremoterelation.

Henceshemustbeengagedinfrequentcontroversies,thecauses

ofwhichareessentiallyforeigntoourconcerns.Hence,therefore,

itmustbeunwiseinustoimplicateourselves,byartificialties,

intheordinaryvicissitudesofherpolitics,ortheordinarycombinations

andcollisionsofherfriendshipsorenmities.

38.Ourdetachedanddistantsituationinvitesandenablesustopursueadifferentcourse.

Ifweremainonepeople,underanefficientgovernment,theperiodisnotfaroff,

whenwemaydefymaterialinjuryfromexternalannoyance;

whenwemaytakesuchanattitudeaswillcausetheneutrality,

wemayatanytimeresolveupon,tobescrupulouslyrespected;

whenbelligerentnations,undertheimpossibilityofmakingacquisitionsuponus,

willnotlightlyhazardthegivingusprovocation;whenwemaychoosepeaceorwar,

asourinterest,guidedbyjustice,shallcounsel.

39.Whyforegotheadvantagesofsopeculiarasituation?

Whyquitourowntostanduponforeignground?

Why,byinterweavingourdestinywiththatofanypartofEurope,

entangleourpeaceandprosperityinthetoilsofEuropeanambition,

rivalship,interest,humor,orcaprice?

40.Itisourtruepolicytosteerclearofpermanentallianceswithanyportionoftheforeignworld;

sofar,Imean,aswearenowatlibertytodoit;forletmenotbeunderstood

ascapableofpatronizinginfidelitytoexistingengagements.

Iholdthemaximnolessapplicabletopublicthantoprivateaffairs,

thathonestyisalwaysthebestpolicy.

Irepeatit,therefore,letthoseengagementsbeobservedintheirgenuinesense.

But,inmyopinion,itisunnecessaryandwouldbeunwisetoextendthem.

41.Takingcarealwaystokeepourselves,bysuitableestablishments,

onarespectabledefensiveposture,wemaysafelytrusttotemporaryalliances

forextraordinaryemergencies.

42.Harmony,liberalintercoursewithallnations,arerecommendedbypolicy,humanity,andinterest.

Butevenourcommercialpolicyshouldholdanequalandimpartialhand;

neitherseekingnorgrantingexclusivefavorsorpreferences;

consultingthenaturalcourseofthings;diffusinganddiversifyingbygentlemeansthestreams

ofcommerce,butforcingnothing;establishing,withpowerssodisposed,

inordertogivetradeastablecourse,todefinetherightsofourmerchants,

andtoenablethegovernmenttosupportthem,conventionalrulesofintercourse,

thebestthatpresentcircumstancesandmutualopinionwillpermit,buttemporary,

andliabletobefromtimetotimeabandonedorvaried,

asexperienceandcircumstancesshalldictate;constantlykeepinginview,

thatitisfollyinonenationtolookfordisinterestedfavorsfromanother;

thatitmustpaywithaportionofitsindependenceforwhateveritmayacceptunderthatcharacter;

that,bysuchacceptance,itmayplaceitselfintheconditionofhavinggivenequivalents

fornominalfavors,andyetofbeingreproachedwithingratitudefornotgivingmore.

Therecanbenogreatererrorthantoexpectorcalculateuponrealfavorsfromnationtonation.

Itisanillusion,whichexperiencemustcure,whichajustprideoughttodiscard.

43.Inofferingtoyou,mycountrymen,thesecounselsofanoldandaffectionatefriend,

IdarenothopetheywillmakethestrongandlastingimpressionIcouldwish;

thattheywillcontroltheusualcurrentofthepassions,

orpreventournationfromrunningthecourse,whichhashithertomarkedthedestinyofnations.

But,ifImayevenflattermyself,thattheymaybeproductiveofsomepartialbenefit,

someoccasionalgood;thattheymaynowandthenrecurtomoderatethefuryofpartyspirit,

towarnagainstthemischiefsofforeignintrigue,

toguardagainsttheimposturesofpretendedpatriotism;

thishopewillbeafullrecompenseforthesolicitudeforyourwelfare,

bywhichtheyhavebeendictated.

44.Howfarinthedischargeofmyofficialduties,Ihavebeenguided

bytheprincipleswhichhavebeendelineated,thepublicrecordsandotherevidences

ofmyconductmustwitnesstoyouandtotheworld.

Tomyself,theassuranceofmyownconscienceis,

thatIhaveatleastbelievedmyselftobeguidedbythem.

45.InrelationtothestillsubsistingwarinEurope,myProclamation

ofthe22dofApril1793,istheindextomyPlan.

Sanctionedbyyourapprovingvoice,

andbythatofyourRepresentativesinbothHousesofCongress,

thespiritofthatmeasurehascontinuallygovernedme,

uninfluencedbyanyattemptstodeterordivertmefromit.

46.Afterdeliberateexamination,withtheaidofthebestlightsIcouldobtain,

Iwaswellsatisfiedthatourcountry,underallthecircumstancesofthecase,

hadarighttotake,andwasboundindutyandinteresttotake,aneutralposition.

Havingtakenit,Idetermined,asfarasshoulddependuponme,tomaintainit,

withmoderation,perseverance,andfirmness.

47.Theconsiderations,whichrespecttherighttoholdthisconduct,

itisnotnecessaryonthisoccasiontodetail.

Iwillonlyobserve,that,accordingtomyunderstandingofthematter,thatright,

sofarfrombeingdeniedbyanyoftheBelligerentPowers,hasbeenvirtuallyadmittedbyall.

48.Thedutyofholdinganeutralconductmaybeinferred,withoutanythingmore,

fromtheobligationwhichjusticeandhumanityimposeoneverynation,

incasesinwhichitisfreetoact,tomaintaininviolatetherelationsofpeace

andamitytowardsothernations.

49.Theinducementsofinterestforobservingthatconductwillbestbereferred

toyourownreflectionsandexperience.

Withme,apredominantmotivehasbeentoendeavourtogaintimetoourcountry

tosettleandmatureitsyetrecentinstitutions,andtoprogresswithoutinterruption

tothatdegreeofstrengthandconsistency,whichisnecessarytogiveit,

humanlyspeaking,thecommandofitsownfortunes.

50.Though,inreviewingtheincidentsofmyadministration,

Iamunconsciousofintentionalerror,

Iamneverthelesstoosensibleofmydefectsnottothinkitprobable

thatImayhavecommittedmanyerrors.

Whatevertheymaybe,IferventlybeseechtheAlmightytoavertormitigate

theevilstowhichtheymaytend.

Ishallalsocarrywithmethehope,

thatmyCountrywillneverceasetoviewthemwithindulgence;

andthat,afterforty-fiveyearsofmylifededicatedtoitsservicewithanuprightzeal,

thefaultsofincompetentabilitieswillbeconsignedtooblivion,

asmyselfmustsoonbetothemansionsofrest.

51.Relyingonitskindnessinthisasinotherthings,

andactuatedbythatferventlovetowardsit,whichissonaturaltoaman,

whoviewsitinthenativesoilofhimselfandhisprogenitorsforseveralgenerations;

Ianticipatewithpleasingexpectationthatretreat,inwhichIpromisemyselftorealize,

withoutalloy,thesweetenjoymentofpartaking,inthemidstofmyfellow-citizens,

thebenigninfluenceofgoodlawsunderafreegovernment,

theeverfavoriteobjectofmyheart,andthehappyreward,

asItrust,ofourmutualcares,labors,anddangers.

GeorgeWashington

Hegivesstrengthtothewearyandincreasesthepoweroftheweak.

Evenyouthsgrowtiredandwearyandyoungmenstumbleandfall

butthosewhohopeintheLordwillrenewtheirstrength.

Theywillsoaronwingslikeeaglestheywillrunandnotgrowweary

theywillwalkandnotbefanit.

Inaveryshorttimewillnotlebanonbeturnedintoafertilefield

andthefertilefieldseemlikeaforest!

OncemorethehumblewillrejoiceintheLordtheneedywillrejoiceintheHolyOneofIsrael!

ThereforethisiswhattheLordwhoredeemedAbrahamsaystothehouseofJacob

"NolongerwillJacobbeashamednolongerwilltheirfacesgrowpale!"

Justicewilldwellinthedesertandrighteousnessliveinthefertilefield.

Thefruitofrighteousnesswiolbepeacetheeffectofrighteousness

willbequientnessandconfidenceforever…!!!!!!!