Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-22
WashingtOn's Farewell Address
PEOPLE or THE UNITED STATES.


actually arrived when your thoughts must be
employed in designating the person who = 70 be
clothed with that important trust. Il appears TO
me proper especially it may cOnduce to a
more distinct expression OF the public voice, that
! should now apprsse Won of the resolution d
have formed, TO decline being considered among
ile number OF those, out OF whom choice y to
be made.
beg you, at the same time. To do me the jus
tice 10 be assured, that this resolution has not
been taken without a strict regard 70 all the con
sideratiOns appeTtainlng 20 the relation, which
binds duiiiu citizen to his country; and that in
withdrawing the tender OF service, which silence
in my situation might imply. am influenced by
diminution OF zeal for your future interest; no
deficiency Of grateful respect for your past kind
ness; but am supported by full conviction that
the step is compatible with both.
The acceptance Of, and continuance hitherto
in, the Office 70 which your suffrages have twice
called me, have been uniform sacrifice OF in
cliBation to the opinion of duty. and to defer
ence for what appeared TO be your desire. con
stanily hoped that IL would have been much ear
lier IN my power, consistently With motives. winch
was not at liberty To disregard to return 10 that
retirement from which | had been reluctantly
drawn. The strength of my inclination to DO
this, previous To the last election, had even led
to the preparation of an address ~ declare IL 10
YOU; but mature reelection on the then perplex ed
and critical posture of our Affairs with foreign
nations and the unanimous advice OF persons
titled To my confidence. impeiled me ~ abandon
the idea.
rejoice, that the state of your concerns,
terual well internal, longer renders the
pursuit OF inclination Incompatible with the sen
tment of duty. propriety; and am persuaded,
whatever Partially may be retained for my ser
vices, that, M the present circumstances OF our
country. YOU will not disapprOye my determine
ton 10 retire.
The impressions, with which first undertook
the aIduOus trust. were explained Ol the proper
OCCASION In the discharge of tins trust, / will
only saw, that have. with good intentions. con
trIbutei towards the organization and admins
tration OF the Government the best exertions of
which a very falllble judgment was capable. Not
unconscious. III the outset, of the InieriOrIty of
my qualifications; experience IN my own eyes
perhaps still IN the eyes OF others, has
strengthened the motives 10 dIfhdence of myself
and every day the incre lslng weight of years al
moiislies me more and more that the siade of
retirement Is necessary to me it will be vel
come. Satisfied. that, if any circumstances have
given peculiar value to my services. they were
temporary, ! have the consolation 10 believe.
that, while choice and prudence invite me to
quit the political scene, patriotism does not for
bid il. trf
In looking forward to the moment, which Is
intended terminate the career OF my public
lie, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the
deep ackno wle,lg ment OF that Debt OF gratitude
which owe to nv beloved country for the many
honors it has conferred upon me; still more for
the steadfast confidence with which IL has sup
ported me; and for the opportunities have thence
enjoyed OF manifestng my nyiolable attachment
by services faithful aisd persevering, though in
usefulness unequal To my zeal. 1t benefits have
resulted country IRON these services, let it
instructive example in our annals, that under cir
cumstances in which the passions, agtated in ev-
cry direction, were liable To misiead, amidst APP
pearauees sometimes dubious vicissitudes of for
TUE often dlscouTagIIg, liza situations ia which
not unirequenuy want of success has counte
nanced the spirit of criticism, the consistency OF
your support the essential prop of the efforts,
and guarantee of the plans by which they were
Effected Profoundly penetrated with this idea,
| shall carry IL with me To my grave, rs strong
Indictment TO unceasing vows that Heaven may
continue To YOU the choicest tokens OF its bene-
fcence; that your Union and brotherly affection
may be perpetual; that the tree Constitution,
which Is the work OF your hands may be sacredly
maintained; that its administration in every de
partmcnt may he stamped with wisdom and vir-
ture; that in fine the happiness of the people of
these States, under the auspices of liberty, may
be made complete, by so careful preservation
and prudent "A OF this blessing. will
Guire TO them the glory of recommending il TO the
applause, the affection and adoption of every
ton, which Is yet a stranger To It.
Here, perhaps, ought 20 stop. But a solci-
tude for your welfare, which can not end but with
my life, and the apprehension of danger. natural
% that solcltue, urge me, oman occasion like the
present. 10 offer 10 your solemn contemplation
and to recommend to your frequent review, some
sentiments. which are the result OF much refiec-
ton, OF no incOnSiderable observation, and which
appear To me all important To the permanency of
your felicity Is people These will be afforded
To YOU with The freedom, as YOU can only
see IN them thsdisInterested warnings of parting
friend who can possibly have no personal motive
20 bias his counsel. Nor can forget rs an en-
enlargement to il, your indulgent reception of
my sentiments on former and not diSsimilar oc
casion.
interviewer as is the love Of liberty with every
Igament of your hearts, 10 recommendation of
mine Is necessary TO fOrtfy or confirm the attach
ment
The unity of Government which constitutes
YOU one people. Is also now dear 20 YOU Ii j.
justly SO. for it Is main pillar in the e,lifce of
your real Independence. the support of your tran
guilty At home your peace abroad; of your safe
~; OF your prosperity; OF that very Liberty which
yOu mighty prize But u Is 10 fOrsee
that, from different causes and from different
quarter muc.r pains will be taken. manv artifces
employed, 10 weaken ln your minds the cuuNic-
ton ct this truth ~ this i the point i'm vour 20
litical fortress aes,iirst which the batteries OF in
ternal ana external enemies will be most con
stan.y and actively Though often cOvertly and
nSi,iousiv1 directeu II is of infinite moment that
YOU should properly estimate the immense value
OF Your national Union 10 your collective and IN
divdual happiness that YOU should cherish a cor
dial, habitual and iinmOvable attachment to il:
sccu>tomiug yourselves to think and speak OF il
OF the Palladium OF your political safety and
prosperity Watching for It's preservation With zeal
Gus anxiety: dIScountenaucing whateVe r may sug-
gest even a suspicion, that il can in any event be
abandoned; and Indignantly frowning upon the
frstG4wIing of every attempt 10 ALLEVIATE an,
portion OF our country from the rest. or 70 en-
feeble tae sacrei ties which NOW link ogether the
various parts.
Fer this YOU have every nducement of sympa
tby ar,t interest. Citizens, 10y birth choice Of
common country that country has "A right to
concentrate our affections The name OF AMER-
ICAS. which belongs 10 YOU IN your national ca
pacisy. must always eXalt the just pride of Patr
ousm. more than ant appeliAtion derived from
local Determinations With slight shades of dit
ference. YOU have tie same religion, manners.
habits and political principles You have in a
common cause Tough, and ,riumpled together:
the In,lepetslece and Liberty YOU possess are the
work Of Joint comseis. and Joint Efforts Of com
mon dangers suierncS and successes
But these considerations. however powerfully
they address themselves 20 your sensbility. are
greatly oUtweished lay those, which apply more