Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-02-23
WASHINGTOV.

Yesterday was the l2"th annlverS;'-
~ of the birthday of GEORGE WASH
1NGToS. Carrying his immortal name
for a distinctive appcllativc by which
wc are known as Il journal, living in
a Territory honorcd by Government
in selecting us to bear such Il title, to
recognize us among the political dlvls-
ions of that glorious Union, the formal
ton of which so depended upon his
mighty labors, we have no apollo
gy to make for giving our columns to
,copious extracts from that remarkable
production, the Farewell Address of
the Father Of his Countryt to the people
of the United States. Heretofore that
address was justly celebrated for its
literary excellence, chastc dlction, and
remarkable happy expression. In this
inauspicious moment, when our people
have so far forgotten the example of
the Fathers, set at nought their wise
prcccpts, departed from the paths so
periodically pursued by them, we arc
nowmorc struck with its prophet warn-
ing. Surely that most iilustrious sage
and hero was gifted with the spirit Of
prophecy and inspiration when in such
beautifully flowing periods, in such clo-
quent language, those sublime truths
were uttered. They were prophetic
then. Let us halt, ponder, and reflect
trusting in Heaven we may yet re-
turn, and be guided 10y their warning
notes.
The unity of government, which con-
.stitutes you II people is also now dear
to you. 1t s.iustly so; for it is a main
pillar in the cditicc of your real indie
pendencc-the support of your tran
guilty at home, your peace abroad, of
your prosperity, of that very liberty
which you so highly prize. But as it
lis easy to foresec that, from different
causes and from different quarters, much
pains will be taken, many articles en-
.ployed, to weaken in your minds the
conviction of this truth; as this is the
aoint in your political fortress against
which the batteries of internal and en-
.ternal enemies will be most constantly
and actively Though often covertly and
insidiously) directed,-it is of infinite
moment that you should properly csti-
mate the immense value of your ma
tional union to your collective and in
.dividual happiness; that you should
cherish a cordial, habitual, and immov-
able attachmenttoit accustoming your
selves to think and speak Of it as Of the
palladium of your political safety and
prosperity; watching for Misrepresentation
with jealous anxiety misunderstanding
whatever may suggest even a suspicion
that it can, in any event, be abandoned;
aud indignantly trowning upon the first
.dawning OF every attempt to ALLEVIATE
any portion Of III country from the
rest, or to cufeeblc the sacred ties which
now link together the various parts.
For this you have every induccment
of sympathy and interest. Citizens by
birth or choice, Of a common country,
that country has a right to concentrate
your affections. The name Of Ameri-
can, which belongs to YOU in your ma
tionM capacity, must always exalt the
Just pride of patriotism, more than any
appcllation derived from local discrimi-
nations. With slight shades Of differ
-cnce, you have the same religion, man
ncrs, habits, and political principles.
You have, in a common cause, fought
and triumphcd together; the independ-
cncc and liberty you possess are the
work of joint counsels and joint efforts,
Of common dangers, sutferings, and sue
cesscs.
But these considerations, however
powerfully they address themselves to
your seDsibility, arc greatly outwcighed
by those which apply more immediate
" to your interest; here every portion
OF our country finds the most command
ing motives for carefully guarding and
preserving the union of the whole.
The North, i'll an unrestraincd inter
course with the South, protected by tic
equal laws of Il common government,