Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-16
WASHINGTON'S WORDS.
Truths That Hit the Mark Then and Now
 National Policy.

WASHlNeTON'S WORDS.
 Truths That Hit the Mark Then and Now.
 National Policy.
 The politics of the nation have gone so far from what they were in Washing toms era that his thoughts in general have little application to these times. In his farewell address, however, on stepping down from the presidency, he spoke as patriot and statesman, and his words may be chased with those self evident truths that cannot become stale or useless. On the subject of per- manent union as a means of preserving liberty he said:
 "The unity of government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so. for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence; the support of your tram quillity at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But, as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quar- ters, much pains will be taken. many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth, as this is tho point in your political for tress against which the batteries of in- ternal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertiy and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it, accustom ing yourselves to think and speak of 1t as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity, watching for it's preservation with jealous anxiety, dis countenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any event, be abandoned. and indignantly drowning upon the first dawning of ev- cry attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts. ;"
 Touching foreign relations, a question of great importance to the young and struggling nation, he spoke with un- usual boldness and vigor. In broad sense he urged the maintenance of good faith and justice toward all and the cultivation of peace and harmony, and then, descending to particulars, spoke as follows:
 'In the execution of such plan noth- ing is more essential than that perma- nent, inveterate antiquities against par tioular nations and passionate attach ments for others should be excluded, and that, in place of them, just and amica- ble feelings toward all should be culti- vated. The nation which indulges to- ward another habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is, in some degree slave. It is slave to it's animosity or to its affection, either of which is suffi- cient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more read lily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage and to be naughty and intraotable when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur; hence frequent collisions, obstinate, en- venomed and bloody contests. The na- tion. prompted by ill will and resent ment, sometimes impels war to the gov ernment contrary to the best calcula- tions of policy. The government some- times participates in the national pro- pensity and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times it makes the animosity of the nation sub servient to projects of hostility instigat- ed by pride, ambition and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace of- ten, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations has been the victim.
 "So, likewise. . passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a va riety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, ! and infusins into one the enmities of the other. bstrays the former into partici- patton in the quarrels and wars of tho latter. without adequate inducement or justification -. i A vigorous appetite and good diges- ton Is insured by taking Hoods Sarsa- parilla.