Evening star., 1896-09-19

1t is especially fitting that the accident OF
date should inject into strongly partisan
and superheated political situation the CEN
tenary of Washington's Farewell Address.
That remarkable document should at all
times be deeply interesting to every true
American: at such period as this 1t de-
serves and will doubtless be accorded more
of serious and respectful consideration
than has ever before been given it. although
it has always been regarded as among the
most valuable of contributions to official
literature. Prompted by no other motive
than the public good. and fixed in his de-
termination TO retire to private life, George
Washington wrote as one inspired. wrote
for the people and conditions of today just
as much as he did for the America of 17J6.
Ii might reasonably be supposed that the
lapse of years and the social and industrial
revolutions that have taken place since the
physical Washington ceased to be would
have wrought so much of change in our in
stitutions as would make the valedic toy of
the first President antiQuatad and useless:
as a matter of fact, the words of the Ma
tion's Father are as easily applicable today
as they were century ago Whatever diff
ferences of opinion may exist as to certain
features of the policy of the general gov
ernment with Washington at its head, it
will be universally admitted that Washing
ton was American in every fibre. His
Farewell Address places Immortality on
record sentiments with which every lover
of free government will enthusiastically CO.
incide. Who will not recognize the present
value of Washington's advice when ne says
that the unity of government is the support
of tranquility at home of peace abroad, of
prosperity. and of that liberty which every
American 50 highly prizes? He fores1w
much that has been done in efforts to over
throw the unity of government in behalf
of which he made eloquent a plea and
prayed that the people to whose cause he
had devoted his life. his fortune and his
sacred honor should watch with jealous
anxiety foo the preservation of the ma
tional union; "discountenancing whatever
may suggest even a 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 enfeeble the
sacred lies which now link together the
various parts For this" he continued
you have every inducement of sympathy
and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice
of common country that country has a
right to concentrate your affections. The
IN your Iational capacity. must always ex-
alt the just pride of patriotism, more than
any appellation derived from local discrimi-
nations"
He therefore urged the people-and his
tones are as clear and his arguments as con-
vincing today as they ever were-to resist
with care the spirit of innovation upon the
principles of our government. no matter
how specious the pretexts may be-
There is so much of sound and pertinent
advice in the Farewell Address that, ir
making extracts therefrom. one is embar.
rassed by excess of riches. 1t is a coheren,
and logical and heart-touching petition fol
the growth ard nourshment of the mos,
unselfish patriotism; it should be read and
reread and thoroughly understood by
every being who prides himself upon Ia xfu
possession of the title of American Citizen