Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-01-29
The FeasAIns. of wa.Auus.ou.

We had occasion, the other day
in some remarks on the great ques.
ton which the advent of M. Kossuth
to this country had brought up, to
refer TO the Farewell Address of our
own Washington. and to remind
those, whose wild imaginings or en-
thusiastic hopes had given a seeming
countenance TO opposition to the
doctrines Of that address, that the
author of il was the "Father of his
Country" and that filial gratitude, if
not mere personal and national pru-
dence, should cause them to pause
and consider well, before thev
took a course which involved moth
ing less than opposition to George
Washington.
The attempt has been made, and
it must be allowed with wonderful
ingenuity, savoring of disingenous-
ness-but not the less sophisticaI,
though it was abls-to explain away
what Washington said, or to apply
il TO time gone by or TO circumstan-
ces which have ceased to exist. -
When we listen 10 or read these ex-
plantations or arguments, the mind
naturally pauSeS, and asks of itself,
"WHAT DID WASHINGTON TEACH Usl"
We reply in his own words, taken
from his Farewell Address:
"O6serve good faith and Justice
towards all nations; cultivate peace
and harmony Nth all; religion ard
morality enjoin this conduct; and
can it be that good policy does not
equally enjoin III
''ln the execution OF such a plan,
nothing is more essential than that
permanent, inUeterate dntipdthieS
against particular nations, and pas
sioGate attachment for others, should
be excluded; and that in the place of
them, just and amIcable feelings TO-
yards all should be cultivated. The
nation which INDUCES towards anoih-
er an habitual fondness, is, in some
degree, slave. 1t is a slave to its
or to its affection, either
of which is sufficient to lead il astray
from its duty and its interest. An
one nation against another,
disposes each more readily to offer
insult aud injury, to lay hold Of slight
causes OF umbrage, and TO be naughty
and intEactable when accidental or
trifing occasions OF dispute occur.
y
$50, likewise, a passionate attach
ment OF one nation for another pro-
duces variety Of evils. Sympathy
for the favorite nation, facilitating
the illusion Of an imaginary COM
mon interest in cases where no real
common interest exists, and infusing
into one the enmities of the other, be-
trays the former into participation
in the quarreIs and the wars of the
latter without adequate inducements
or justification.
against the insidious wiles Of
foreign influence q conjure you to
believe me fellow-citizens,) the jeal-
ousy Of a free people ought TO be
constantly awake; since history and
experience prove, that foreign inAu-
ence is one of the mos. bane(ul loes
of Republican Government"
"EuroPe has a set Of primary in
terests, which to us have none, or
very remote relation. Hence she
must be engaged in frequent contro-
yersies, the causes OF which are es-
sentially foreign to our concerns
Hence therefore, il must be unwise
in US to implicate ourselves, by arti-
fetal ties, in the ordinary vicissiludes
of her politics. or the ordinary com.
b'nations and collisions of her friend
ships or enmities."
"The great rule Of conduct for US,
in regard to foreign nations, is in ex-
tending our commercial relations, to
have with them as little political CON.
nexion as possible"
Thus having laid down the policy
which had controlled his administra-
ton of the government, and in his
farewell TO public life bequeathed
it as a blessing to his country, he
thus points out the advantages, ma
tional, personal and political, which
their strict observance would bring
upon the people and the government
that wisely follow them out:
"Why forego the advantages Of so
peculiar a situationl Why quit our
own to stand upon foreign groundl-I
Why, by Intervening our destiny
with that OF any part Of Europe, en-
tangle our peace and prosperity in
the tolls of European ambition. rival
ship, interest, humor or capricef'
ain offering TO YOU, my country
men, these counsels Of an old and
afectionate friend, dare not hope
they will make the strong and lasting
impression / could wish; but | may
fiatter myself that they will be pro-
J,,o,;ya o6 Gonna martial benefit. some