Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-24
Mashington's Farewell address
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES

PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Friends and FellOo Cttizens:
The period for new election.of citizen, to
administer the Executive ~Goyernment of the
United States, being not far distant and the time
actually arrived when your thoughts must be
employed in designating the person who is to be
clothed with that important trust, it appears TO
me proper. especially as il may conduee' to a
more distinct expression OF the public voice. that
i should now apprise you of the resolution |
have formed, to decline being considered among
the number of those, out OF whom choice Is to
be made
beg you, at the same time, to do me the Jus
tice TO be assured that this resolution has not
been taken without strict regard to all the con-
sideTations appertaining to the relation, which
binds dutiful citizen 70 his country; and that in
withdrawing the tender of service, which silence
in my situation might imply, I am influenced by
no dimnution 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 to which your sutfrages have twice
called me, have been uniform sacrifice of in
clination to the opinion of duty. and TO a defer
ence for what appeared to be your desire. con
stantly hoped that it would have been much ear
ier in my power, consistently with motiv which
retirement from which had been reluctantly
drawn. The strength of my inclination to do
this, previous to the last election, had eyea led
to the preparation of an address to declare it to
you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed
and critical posture of our affairs with foreign
nations, and the unanimous advice OF persons en-.
titled to my confidence. impeled me to abandon
the idea N t-E trf.- -.
/ rejoice, that the state of your concerns, ex-
oil ipta fl,a
pursuit OF inclination Incompatible with the sen
timent of duty, or prGpriety; and am persuaded,
whatever partiality may be retained for my ser
vices, that, in the present circumstances of our
country, YOU will not disapprove my determine
ton to retire. .I- e.s .--..s-
The impressions, with which / first undertook
the Mduous trust, were explained on the proper
occasion. In the discharge of this trust, / will
only say, that have, with good intentions. con-
tributed towards the organization and admins
tration of the Government the best exertons OF
which very falhble judgment was capable. Not
unconscious, in the outset, of the -inierority OF
my qualifications; experience in my own eyes,
perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has
strengthened the motives to diffideRce of myself;
and every day the increasing weight of years ad-
mOnishes me more and more that the shade of
retirement is as necessary to me as it will be wei
come Satisfied, that, it any circumstances have
4
temporary, / have the consolation to believe.
that, while choice and prudence invite me to
quit the political scene, patriotism does not for
bid it, l tr r
In looking forward to the moment, which is
intended to terminate the career of my public
life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the
deep Acknowledgements of that debt of gratitude
which owe to my beloved country for the many
honors it has conferred upon me; still more for
the steadfast confidence with which it has sup
ported me; and for the opportunities have thence
| enjoyed OF maniiesting my inviOlable attachment
by services faithful and persevering, though in
usefulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have
resulted to country from these services, let il
always be remembered to your praise, and rs an
instructive example in our annals, that under cir
cumstances III which the passions. agitated in ev-
cry direction, were liable to mislead, amidst APP
pearances sometimes dubious, yicissltudes of for
tue often discouraging, in situations in which
not untrequentlv want of success has counte-
nanced the spirit of criticism, the constancy OF
your support was the essential prop OF the efforts
| and guarantee of the plans by which they were
effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea,
shall carry it with me to my grave as strong
| Indictment to uneeasing VOWS that Heaven ma Y
continue to YOU the choicest tokens of its bene-
ficence; that your Union and br0thery affection
| may be perpetual; that the free Constitution
which Is the work of your hands, may be sacredy
maintained; that its administration in every de-
partment may be stamped with wisdom and yir-
tuTe; that, in fine, the happiness of the people OF
these States, under the auspices of. liberty, may
be made complete, by so careful a preservation
and SO prudent a of this blessing, as will ac
quire to them the glory of recommending it to the
applause, the affection and adoption of every ma
| ton, which is yet a stranger to it.
Here, perhaps, ought to stop. But sOlici-
tude for your welfare, which can not end but with
my life, and the apprehension of danger. natural
to that solicitude, urge me, occasion like the
present, to offer to your solemn contemplation
and to recommend to your frequent review, some
sentiments, which are the result of much refec-
ton, of no inconsiderable observation, and which
appear to me all important to the permaneney OF
your felicity as people. These will be afforded
to you with the more freedom, as you can only
see in them thedisinterested warnings of parting
friend, who can possibly have no personal motive
to bias his counsel. Nor can forget as an en-
enlargement to it, your indulgent reception OF
nay sentiments on former and not dissimilar oc-
casiOn. .-.
interviewer as is the love Of liberty with every
ligament of your hearts, no recommendation OF
mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attach
ment. ~ ..r
The unity of Government, which constitutes
you one people, is also now dear to you 1t is
justly So for it is main pillar in the edifce OF
your real independence, the support of your tran
guilty at home, your peace abroad; of your safe
~; your prosperity; of that very Liberty. which
you so highly prize. But as 1t is easy to forsee,
that from different causes and from different
quarters, much pains will be, taken, many articles
employed, to weaken in your minds the convic-
ton OF this truth; this is the point in your po-
litcal fortress against which the batteries of in
ternal ana external enemies will be most CON
stantly and actively (though often covertly and
insdiousy) directed, it is of infinite moment that
you should properly estimate the immense value
of your national Union to your collective and in
dividual happiness that you should cherish a cor
dial, habitual and immovabe attachment to it;
accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it
as of the Palladium of your political safety and
prosperity; watching for its preservation with ieal-
Gus anxiety; dscounteRancing whatever may sug-
gest even suspicion, that it can in any event be
abandoned; and Indignantly frowning upon the
first dawning of every attempt to ALLEVIATE any
portion of our country from the rest, or to en-
feeble the sacred ties which now link together the
various PARTS. - - ~.
For this you have every inducement of sympa-
thy and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of
common country. that country has a right to
concentrate your Affections The name of AMER
IcAs, which belongs to you in your national ca
pacity. must always exalt the Just pride of Patri-
otlsm, more than any appellation derived from
local Determinations. With slight shades of diff
ference. you have the same religion, manners,
habits and political principles. Yon have in a
common cause fought and triumphed together;
the Independence and Liberty you possess are the
work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of com
mon dangers sufferings and successes ..-f, -
But these considerations, however powerfully
they address themselves to your sensibility, are
greatly outweighed. by those, which Apply more
Immediately to your interest. Here every, por-
ton of our country finds the most command
ing motives for carefully guarding and preserving
the Union of the whole. +, - =, ,s-;r ~ -,
The North, in an unrestrained intercourse with