I apologize for the length of this post, and ask my followers who are not US citizens to indulge my whim. I encourage you to read this, General George Washington's Farewell Address to his army.
Sir:
The great object for which I had the honor to hold an appointment in
the Service of my Country, being accomplished, I am now preparing to
resign it into the hands of Congress, and to return to that domestic
retirement, which, it is well known, I left with the greatest
reluctance, a Retirement, for which I have never ceased to sigh through a
long and painful absence, and in which (remote from the noise and
trouble of the World) I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a
state of undisturbed repose; But before I carry this resolution into
effect, I think it a duty incumbent on me, to make this my last official
communication, to congratulate you on the glorious events which Heaven
has been pleased to produce in our favor, to offer my sentiments
respecting some important subjects, which appear to me, to be intimately
connected with the tranquility of the United States, to take my leave
of your Excellency as a public Character, and to give my final blessing
to that Country, in whose service I have spent the prime of my life, for
whose sake I have consumed so many anxious days and watchfull nights,
and whose happiness being extremely dear to me, will always constitute
no inconsiderable part of my own.
Impressed with the liveliest sensibility on this pleasing occasion, I
will claim the indulgence of dilating the more copiously on the
subjects of our mutual felicitation. When we consider the magnitude of
the prize we contended for, the doubtful nature of the contest, and the
favorable manner in which it has terminated, we shall find the greatest
possible reason for gratitude and rejoicing; this is a theme that will
afford infinite delight to every benevolent and liberal mind, whether
the event in contemplation, be considered as the source of present
enjoyment or the parent of future happiness; and we shall have equal
occasion to felicitate ourselves on the lot which Providence has
assigned us, whether we view it in a natural, a political or moral point
of light.
The Citizens of America, placed in the most enviable condition, as
the sole Lords and Proprietors of a vast Tract of Continent,
comprehending all the various soils and climates of the World, and
abounding with all the necessaries and conveniencies of life, are now by
the late satisfactory pacification, acknowledged to be possessed of
absolute freedom and Independency; They are, from this period, to be
considered as the Actors on a most conspicuous Theatre, which seems to
be peculiarly designated by Providence for the display of human
greatness and felicity; Here, they are not only surrounded with every
thing which can contribute to the completion of private and domestic
enjoyment, but Heaven has crowned all its other blessings, by giving a
fairer oppertunity for political happiness, than any other Nation has
ever been favored with. Nothing can illustrate these observations more
forcibly, than a recollection of the happy conjuncture of times and
circumstances, under which our Republic assumed its rank among the
Nations; The foundation of our Empire was not laid in the gloomy age of
Ignorance and Superstition, but at an Epocha when the rights of mankind
were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former
period, the researches of the human mind, after social happiness, have
been carried to a great extent, the Treasures of knowledge, acquired by
the labours of Philosophers, Sages and Legislatures, through a long
succession of years, are laid open for our use, and their collected
wisdom may be happily applied in the Establishment of our forms of
Government; the free cultivation of Letters, the unbounded extension of
Commerce, the progressive refinement of Manners, the growing liberality
of sentiment, and above all, the pure and benign light of Revelation,
have had ameliorating influence on mankind and increased the blessings
of Society. At this auspicious period, the United States came into
existence as a Nation, and if their Citizens should not be completely
free and happy, the fault will be intirely their own.
Such is our situation, and such are our prospects: but
notwithstanding the cup of blessing is thus reached out to us,
notwithstanding happiness is ours, if we have a disposition to seize the
occasion and make it our own; yet, it appears to me there is an option
still left to the United States of America, that it is in their choice,
and depends upon their conduct, whether they will be respectable and
prosperous, or contemptable and miserable as a Nation; This is the time
of their political probation, this is the moment when the eyes of the
whole World are turned upon them, this is the moment to establish or
ruin their national Character forever, this is the favorable moment to
give such a tone to our Federal Government, as will enable it to answer
the ends of its institution, or this may be the ill-fated moment for
relaxing the powers of the Union, annihilating the cement of the
Confederation, and exposing us to become the sport of European politics,
which may play one State against another to prevent their growing
importance, and to serve their own interested purposes. For, according
to the system of Policy the States shall adopt at this moment, they will
stand or fall, and by their confirmation or lapse, it is yet to be
decided, whether the Revolution must ultimately be considered as a
blessing or a curse: a blessing or a curse, not to the present age
alone, for with our fate will the destiny of unborn Millions be
involved.
With this conviction of the importance of the present Crisis, silence
in me would be a crime; I will therefore speak to your Excellency, the
language of freedom and of sincerity, without disguise; I am aware,
however, that those who differ from me in political sentiment, may
perhaps remark, I am stepping out of the proper line of my duty, and
they may possibly ascribe to arrogance or ostentation, what I know is
alone the result of the purest intention, but the rectitude of my own
heart, which disdains such unworthy motives, the part I have hitherto
acted in life, the determination I have formed, of not taking any share
in public business hereafter, the ardent desire I feel, and shall
continue to manifest, of quietly enjoying in private life, after all the
toils of War, the benefits of a wise and liberal Government, will, I
flatter myself, sooner or later convince my Countrymen, that I could
have no sinister views in delivering with so little reserve, the
opinions contained in this Address.
There are four things, which I humbly conceive, are essential to the
well being, I may even venture to say, to the existence of the United
States as an Independent Power:
1st. An indissoluble Union of the States under one Federal Head.
2dly. A Sacred regard to Public Justice.
3dly. The adoption of a proper Peace Establishment, and
4thly. The prevalence of that pacific and friendly Disposition, among
the People of the United States, which will induce them to forget their
local prejudices and policies, to make those mutual concessions which
are requisite to the general prosperity, and in some instances, to
sacrifice their individual advantages to the interest of the Community.
These are the pillars on which the glorious Fabrick of our
Independency and National Character must be supported; Liberty is the
Basis, and whoever would dare to sap the foundation, or overturn the
Structure, under whatever specious pretexts he may attempt it, will
merit the bitterest execration, and the severest punishment which can be
inflicted by his injured Country.
On the three first Articles I will make a few observations, leaving
the last to the good sense and serious consideration of those
immediately concerned.
Under the first head, altho' it may not be necessary or proper for me
in this place to enter into a particular disquisition of the principles
of the Union, and to take up the great question which has been
frequently agitated, whether it be expedient and requisite for the
States to delegate a larger proportion of Power to Congress, or not, Yet
it will be a part of my duty, and that of every true Patriot, to assert
without reserve, and to insist upon the following positions, That
unless the States will suffer Congress to exercise those prerogatives,
they are undoubtedly invested with by the Constitution, every thing must
very rapidly tend to Anarchy and confusion, That it is indispensable to
the happiness of the individual States, that there should be lodged
somewhere, a Supreme Power to regulate and govern the general concerns
of the Confederated Republic, without which the Union cannot be of long
duration. That there must be a faithfull and pointed compliance on the
part of every State, with the late proposals and demands of Congress, or
the most fatal consequences will ensue, That whatever measures have a
tendency to dissolve the Union, or contribute to violate or lessen the
Sovereign Authority, ought to be considered as hostile to the Liberty
and Independency of America, and the Authors of them treated
accordingly, and lastly, that unless we can be enabled by the
concurrence of the States, to participate of the fruits of the
Revolution, and enjoy the essential benefits of Civil Society, under a
form of Government so free and uncorrupted, so happily guarded against
the danger of oppression, as has been devised and adopted by the
Articles of Confederation, it will be a subject of regret, that so much
blood and treasure have been lavished for no purpose, that so many
sufferings have been encountered without a compensation, and that so
many sacrifices have been made in vain. Many other considerations might
here be adduced to prove, that without an entire conformity to the
Spirit of the Union, we cannot exist as an Independent Power; it will be
sufficient for my purpose to mention but one or two which seem to me of
the greatest importance. It is only in our united Character as an
Empire, that our Independence is acknowledged, that our power can be
regarded, or our Credit supported among Foreign Nations. The Treaties of
the European Powers with the United States of America, will have no
validity on a dissolution of the Union. We shall be left nearly in a
state of Nature, or we may find by our own unhappy experience, that
there is a natural and necessary progression, from the extreme of
anarchy to the extreme of Tyranny; and that arbitrary power is most
easily established on the ruins of Liberty abused to licentiousness.
As to file second Article, which respects the performance of Public
Justice, Congress have, in their late Address to the United States,
almost exhausted the subject, they have explained their Ideas so fully,
and have enforced the obligations the States are under, to render
compleat justice to all the Public Creditors, with so much dignity and
energy, that in my opinion, no real friend to the honor and Independency
of America, can hesitate a single moment respecting the propriety of
complying with the just and honorable measures proposed; if their
Arguments do not produce conviction, I know of nothing that will have
greater influence; especially when we recollect that the System referred
to, being the result of the collected Wisdom of the Continent, must be
esteemed, if not perfect, certainly the least objectionable of any that
could be devised; and that if it shall not be carried into immediate
execution, a National Bankruptcy, with all its deplorable consequences
will take place, before any different Plan can possibly be proposed and
adopted; So pressing are the present circumstances I and such is the
alternative now offered to the States!
The ability of the Country to discharge the debts which have been
incurred in its defence, is not to be doubted, an inclination, I flatter
myself, will not be wanting, the path of our duty is plain before us,
honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true
policy, let us then as a Nation be just, let us fulfil the public
Contracts, which Congress had undoubtedly a right to make for the
purpose of carrying on the War, with the same good faith we suppose
ourselves bound to perform our private engagements; in the mean time,
let an attention to the chearfull performance of their proper business,
as Individuals, and as members of Society, be earnestly inculcated on
the Citizens of America, that will they strengthen the hands of
Government, and be happy under its protection: every one will reap the
fruit of his labours, every one will enjoy his own acquisitions without
molestation and without danger.
In this state of absolute freedom and perfect security, who will
grudge to yield a very little of his property to support the common
interest of Society, and insure the protection of Government? Who does
not remember, the frequent declarations, at the commencement of the War,
that we should be compleatly satisfied, if at the expence of one half,
we could defend the remainder of our possessions? Where is the Man to be
found, who wishes to remain indebted, for the defence of his own person
and property, to the exertions, the bravery, and the blood of others,
without making one generous effort to repay the debt of honor and of
gratitude? In what part of the Continent shall we find any Man, or body
of Men, who would not blush to stand up and propose measures, purposely
calculated to rob the Soldier of his Stipend, and the Public Creditor of
his due? and were it possible that such a flagrant instance of
Injustice could ever happen, would it not excite the general
indignation, and tend to bring down, upon the Authors of such measures,
the aggravated vengeance of Heaven? If after all, a spirit of dis-union
or a temper of obstinacy and perverseness, should manifest itself in any
of the States, if such an ungracious disposition should attempt to
frustrate all the happy effects that might be expected to flow from the
Union, if there should be a refusal to comply with the requisitions for
Funds to discharge the annual interest of the public debts, and if that
refusal should revive again all those jealousies and produce all those
evils, which are now happily removed, Congress, who have in all their
Transaction shewn a great degree of magnanimity and justice, will stand
justified in the sight of God and Man, and the State alone which puts
itself in opposition to the aggregate Wisdom of the Continent, and
follows such mistaken and pernicious Councils, will be responsible for
all the consequences.
For my own part, conscious of having acted while a Servant of the
Public, in the manner I conceived best suited to promote the real
interests of my Country; having in consequence of my fixed belief in
some measure pledged myself to the Army, that their Country would
finally do them compleat and ample Justice, and not wishing to conceal
any instance of my official conduct from the eyes of the World, I have
thought proper to transmit to your Excellency the inclosed collection of
Papers, relative to the half pay and commutation granted by Congress to
the Officers of the Army; From these communications, my decided
sentiment will be clearly comprehended, together with the conclusive
reasons which induced me, at an early period, to recommend the adoption
of the measure, in the most earnest and serious manner. As the
proceedings of Congress, the Army, and myself are open to all, and
contain in my opinion, sufficient information to remove the prejudices
and errors which may have been entertained by any; I think it
unnecessary to say any thing more, than just to observe, that the
Resolutions of Congress, now alluded to, are undoubtedly as absolutely
binding upon the United States, as the most solemn Acts of Confederation
or Legislation. As to the Idea, which I am informed has in some
instances prevailed, that the half pay and commutation are to be
regarded merely in the odious light of a Pension, it ought to be
exploded forever; that Provision, should be viewed as it really was, a
reasonable compensation offered by Congress, at a time when they had
nothing else to give, to the Officers of the Army, for services then to
be performed. It was the only means to prevent a total dereliction of
the Service, It was a part of their hire, I may be allowed to say, it
was the price of their blood and of your Independency, it is therefore
more than a common debt, it is a debt of honour, it can never be
considered as a Pension or gratuity, nor be cancelled until it is fairly
discharged.
With regard to a distinction between Officers and Soldiers, it is
sufficient that the uniform experience of every Nation of the World,
combined with our own, proves the utility and propriety of the
discrimination. Rewards in proportion to the aids the public derives
from them, are unquestionably due to all its Servants; In some Lines,
the Soldiers have perhaps generally had as ample a compensation for
their Services, by the large Bounties which have been paid to them, as
their Officers will receive in the proposed Commutation, in others, if
besides the donation of Lands, the payment of Arrearages of Cloathing
and Wages (in which Articles all the component parts of the Army must be
put upon the same footing) we take into the estimate, the Bounties many
of the Soldiers have received and the gratuity of one Year's full pay,
which is promised to all, possibly their situation (every circumstance
being duly considered) will not be deemed less eligible than that of the
Officers. Should a farther reward, however, be judged equitable, I will
venture to assert, no one will enjoy greater satisfaction than myself,
on seeing an exemption from Taxes for a limited time, (which has been
petitioned for in some instances) or any other adequate immunity or
compensation, granted to the brave defenders of their Country's Cause;
but neither the adoption or rejection of this proposition will in any
manner affect, much less militate against, the Act of Congress, by which
they have offered five years full pay, in lieu of the half pay for
life, which had been before promised to the Officers of the Army.
Before I conclude the subject of public justice, I cannot omit to
mention the obligations this Country is under, to that meritorious Class
of veteran Non-commissioned Officers and Privates, who have been
discharged for inability, in consequence of the Resolution of Congress
of the 23d of April 1782, on an annual pension for life, their peculiar
sufferings, their singular merits and claims to that provision need only
be known, to interest all the feelings of humanity in their behalf:
nothing but a punctual payment of their annual allowance can rescue them
from the most complicated misery, and nothing could be a more
melancholy and distressing sight, than to behold those who have shed
their blood or lost their limbs in the service of their Country, without
a shelter, without a friend, and without the means of obtaining any of
the necessaries or comforts of Life; compelled to beg their daily bread
from door to door! suffer me to recommend those of this discription,
belonging to your State, to the warmest patronage of your Excellency and
your Legislature.
It is necessary to say but a few words on the third topic which was
proposed, and which regards particularly the defence of the Republic, As
there can be little doubt but Congress will recommend a proper Peace
Establishment for the United States, in which a due attention will be
paid to the importance of placing the Militia of the Union upon a
regular and respectable footing; If this should be the case, I would beg
leave to urge the great advantage of it in the strongest terms. The
Militia of this Country must be considered as the Palladium of our
security, and the first effectual resort in case of hostility; It is
essential therefore, that the same system should pervade the whole; that
the formation and discipline of the Militia of the Continent should be
absolutely uniform, and that the same species of Arms, Accoutrements and
Military Apparatus, should be introduced in every part of the United
States; No one, (who has not learned it from experience, can conceive
the difficulty, expence, and confusion which result from a contrary
system, or the vague Arrangements which have hitherto prevailed.
If in treating of political points, a greater latitude than usual has
been taken in the course of this Address, the importance of the Crisis,
and the magnitude of the objects in discussion, must be my apology: It
is, however, neither my wish or expectation, that the preceding
observations should claim any regard, except so far as they shall appear
to be dictated by a good intention, consonant to the immutable rules of
Justice; calculated to produce a liberal system of policy, and founded
on whatever experience may have been acquired by a long and close
attention to public business. Here I might speak with the more
confidence from my actual observations, and, if it would not swell this
Letter (already too prolix) beyond the bounds I had prescribed myself: I
could demonstrate to every mind open to conviction, that in less time
and with much less expence than has been incurred, the War might have
been brought to the same happy conclusion, if the resourses of the
Continent could have been properly drawn forth, that the distresses and
disappointments which have very often occurred, have in too many
instances, resulted more from a want of energy, in the Continental
Government, than a deficiency of means in the particular States. That
the inefficiency of measures, arising from the want of an adequate
authority in the Supreme Power, from a partial compliance with the
Requisitions of Congress in some of the States, and from a failure of
punctuality in others, while it tended to damp the zeal of those which
were more willing to exert themselves; served also to accumulate the
expences of the War, and to frustrate the best concerted Plans, and that
the discouragement occasioned by the complicated difficulties and
embarrassments, in which our affairs were, by this means involved, would
have long ago produced the dissolution of any Army, less patient, less
virtuous and less persevering, than that which I have had the honor to
command. But while I mention these things, which are notorious facts, as
the defects of our Federal Constitution, particularly in the
prosecution of a War, I beg it may be understood, that as I have ever
taken a pleasure in gratefully acknowledging the assistance and support I
have derived from every Class of Citizens, so shall I always be happy
to do justice to the unparalleled exertion of the individual States, on
many interesting occasions.
I have thus freely disclosed what I wished to make known, before I
surrendered up my Public trust to those who committed it to me, the task
is now accomplished, I now bid adieu to your Excellency as the Chief
Magistrate of your State, at the same time I bid a last farewell to the
cares of Office, and all the imployments of public life.
It remains then to be my final and only request, that your Excellency
will communicate these sentiments to your Legislature at their next
meeting, and that they may be considered as the Legacy of One, who has
ardently wished, on all occasions, to be useful to his Country, and who,
even in the shade of Retirement, will not fail to implore the divine
benediction upon it.
I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the
State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would
incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of
subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly
affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the
United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have
served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be
pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean
ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which
were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion,
and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can
never hope to be a happy Nation.
Merry Christmas
1 hour ago
Magnificent! Although perhaps flowery for modern oration, there is an unmistakable charm charm in the style of days past, in comparison to which that of our own age compares but poorly!
ReplyDeleteI was particularly stuck by Washington's point #4, regarding which he makes no further exposition, but seems so often ignored observed in the breach by our nation in recent years.
Hmm, I think the style has rubbed off on me, LOL!
Nice comment, I believe the style has rubbed off on you. I do enjoy the writings of our Founding Fathers, even if it gets a little difficult after several hundred pages.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Washington was an amazing man, and a wonderful president.
ReplyDelete