Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-09

nsss TO resist at the worry beginning all tendencies
toward such connection of foreign interests, with
our own affairs. With u tone Of earnestness no
whore else found oven IN his last aectionotc fare
well advice to his countrymen, he says-"Against
.thc insdious wiles of foreign influence, Il conjure
"you to believe me, fellow ctizens,) the jealousy
"of free people oOght to DO constantly awake;
'since history and experience prove that foreign
"nflucnco is ono of the most baneful foes Of re.
"publican government"
Lastly, on the subject of foreign relations, WASH
ington never forgot that had interests peculiar
to ourselves. The primary political concerns of
Europe he saw, did not affect us. We had NOTHING
to do with her balance of power, her family com
pacts, or her SUGGESTIONS to thrones. We were
placed in condition favorable to neutrality du.
ring European wars, and to the enjoyment of all
the great advantages of that relation. .Why,
them" he asks us, "why forcgo the advantages of
so peculiar situation? Why, quit our own to
'stund upon foreign groundl Why, by intcrweay
sing destiny with that of any part of Europe,
"cntanglc peace and prosperity i'm the tolls OF
"Europcan ambition, rival'hip, interest, humor, or
"capricc!"
Indeed, gentlemen, Washington's Farewell Ad.
dress is full of truths, important at all times, and
particularly deserving consideration at the pre-
sent. With sagacty which brought the future
before him, lie and pointed out the dangers
that even at this moment most immiDently threat.
EN- l hardly know how creator favor of that
kind could now DO done to the community than
by renewed and wide diffusion of that admira-
BILE paper and an earnest in vitation to every man
in the country to rc-pcruso and consider it. Its
political maNims invaluable; its exhor,ation to
love of country and to brotherly affection among
citizens, touching; and the solcmnity with which
it urges the observance of moral duties, and i'm
presses the power of religious obligation, gives
it the highest character of truly disintcrcstcd sim
cero. parental advice.
. The domestic policy of Washington found its
polg-star IN the avowed objects Of tho Constitu-
ion ITSELF lie sought to administer that Con-
sttution as TO form more perfect union, esta-
bish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide
Tor the common defence, promote the general wei
fare, and secure the blessings of liberty. These
were objects, interesting, in the highest degree to
The whole country, and his policy embraced the
whole country.
Among his earliest and most important duties,
was the organization of the Government itself,
the choice of his confidential advisers and the va
rious appointments to Office This duty, so inn
portant and delicate, when whole Government
was To be organized; and all its Offices for the
first time filled, yet not difficult to him; for he
had no sinister ends to accomplish, no clamorous
partizans to crafty, pledges to redeem, no Oh
Ject TO be regarded, but simply tho public good 1t
was plain, straight forward matter-a mere no.
nest choice of good men, for the public service
His own sngleness of purpose, his disntercst.
ed patriotism, were cvinced by the selection of
his first Cabinet, and by the manner in which he
filled the Courts of Justice, and other places of
1
for Offices which might suit men. Above person
al considerations, above local considerations a
bovc party considerations, he felt that he could on
ly discharge the sacred trust which the country
had placed in his hands, by dilgent enquiry af.
ter real merit and conscientious preference of
virtue and talent. The whole country was the
field of his selection. He explored that whole
field, looking only for whatever it contained most
worthy and distinguished. He was, indeed most
successful, and he deserved success for the purity
he 1ifu Of ,,
his enlarged and manly policy.
Washihgton's Administration established the
national credit, made provisions for the public
dcbt, and tor that patriotic army whose interests
and welfare were always so dear to him; and by
laws wisely framed, and of admirable effect raised
the commerce and navigation of the country al
most at once, from depression and ruin to a state
OF prosperity Nor were his eyes open to these
interests alone. He viewed with equal concern
us agriculture and manufactures, and so far as
they came within the regular exercise of the now
ers OF this government, they experienced regard
and favor.
1T should not be omitted, gentlemen, even in this
shgnt reference to the general measures and ge.
nera principles OF the first President, that he s.w
and felt the full value 81 importance of the Judicial
department of the Government. An upright and
able administration of the laws, he held to be in
disPensable to public happiness and public liberty
Inc temple OF Justice, in his Judgment, was a sa-
cred place, and he would profane and pollute it
VINO should assign any minister in it, not spotless
IN character, not incorruptible in integrity, not
competent by talent and learning not fit objects Of
unhesitating trust.
Among other admonitons, Washington has left
us, IN his last communication to his country, an
eAnortation against the excuses of party spirit
a hre not to be quenchcd, he yet conjures us not
to fan and feed the flame. Undoubtedly, gentle.
men, 1t is the greatest danger of our system and
OF our time Undoubtedly, ifthat system should
be oVerthrown, 1t will be tho work of excessive
party spirit, acting on the Government, which is
dangerous enough; or acting in the Government.
winch is thousand times more dangerous-for
Government then becomes nothing but ORGANIZED
party; and in the strange vicisstudes of buuan
affairs, 1t may come at last, perhaps to exhibit
the singular paradox of Government itself beinn
In opposition to its own powers, at war with the
very elements OF ITS own existence. Such cases
are hopeless. AS men may be protected aoain.t
murder, but cannot be guarded against suicide 90
Government may be shielded from the assaults of
external foes, but nothing can save it when il
chooses to lay violent hands on itself
FINALLY, gentlemen, there was in the breast of
washington one sentiment so deeply felt so con-
stantly upPermost, that proper occasion escanod
Wlthout ITS uttcrancc. From the letter which be
signed, in behalf of the Convention, when the
constitution was Gent out to the People TO the mo-
ment when he put his hand to that last poper in
winch he addressed his countryInen the Union. The
Union, was the great object of his thoughts In
,hat hrst letter. he tells them that to him. and his
brethren OF the Convention, Union is the ore,tost
e1' VI every true Amerlcan; and in that last
paper ne conJnres them to regard that unity of Co
, rtornnicht, winch constitutes them People, as
the very palladium Of their prosperity and and
inc security ofberty itself He regarded the Union
OF these States not so much of our blessings as
inc great treasury-house which contained them oII
tiere' IN his Judgment, was the great magazine ofa
our means OF prosperity; here as he thought and 40
every true American still thinks deposited all
anlmatng prospects, all our solid hopes for fl.
ture greatness He has taught us TO maintain this
Government, not by seeking to enlarge its powers,
on the one hand nor by surrendcring them on