The times., 1896-02-14
wAsHINeToN,s WORDS.
Truths That Rit the Mark Then and Now,
National Policy.

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 classed with those
self evident truths that cannot become
stale or useless. On the subject Of per-
manent union as means of preserving
liberty he said:
'The unity Of government, which
constitutes you one people, is also now
dear to you. 1t is justly so, for it is a
main pillar in the edifice of your real
independence; the support of your tran
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
articles employed, to weaken in your
minds the conviction Of this truth, as
this is the point in your political for
tress against which the batteries Of in
ternal and external enemies will be
most constantly and actively (though
often covertly 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 it
as of the palladium Of your political
safety and prosperity, Watching for its
preservation with jealous anxiety, dis
countsnanoing whatever may suggest
even suspicion that 1t can, in any
event, be abandoned, and Indignantly
frowning upon the first dswning Of ev-
cry attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion Of
our country from the rest, or to enfeeble
the sacred ties which now link together
the various parts.
Touching foreign relations, question
Of great importance to the young and
struggling nation, he spoke with us-
usual boldness and vigor. In bread
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 a.
follows:
''In the execution Of such plan moth
ing is more essential than that perma-
nent, inveterate antipathies against par
ticular nations and passionate attach
ments for others should be excluded, and
that, in place Of them, just and AMIGA
BILE feelings toward all should be cult
waited. The nation whioh indulges to-
ward another q habitual hatred or a
habitual fondness Is in some degree .
slave. 1t Ia slave to it's animosity or
to its affection, either of which is suffi-
cient to lead IL astray from its duty and
its interest. Antipstby in one nation
against another disposes each more read
lily to offer insult and injury, to Lay bold
Of slight causes Of unbrags and to be
naughty and intraotabls when accidental
or trifing occasions Of dispute occur; (;
hence frequent collisions, obstinate, en-
venomed and bloody contests. The ma
tion, prompted by Ill will and resent
ment, sometimes impsls war to the gov
eminent, contrary to the best calculs-
tions Of policy. The government some
times participates In ths national pro-
pensity and adopts through passion what
reason would reject; at osher times IL
makes the animosity Of the nation sub
servient to projects Of hostility ins,igat-
ed by pride, ambition and other sinister
and pernicious motives The peace Of
ton, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of
nations has been the victim.
$50, likewise, passionate attachment
of one nation for another produces a va
uiety OF evils. Sympathy for the favortte
uation, facilitating the illusion Of an
Imaginary common lnruest IN cases
where no real common interest exists,
and infusing into one the enmities of the
other, betrays the former into partioi
patton in the quarrels and wars of the
latter, without adequate inducemsnt or
justification.