The citizen., 1902-02-28
WASE1INGTONS F A R E.
WELL ADDRESS.
Some Extracts That M a K e
Good Reading at the Pres
ent Time.
UNITED STATES, Sept. II, 1896

Friends and FelloU Citizens:
The period for new election
OF a citizen to administer the Ex
ecutive government Of the United
States being not far distant. aud
the time actually arrived when
your thoughts must be employed
III designating the person who is
to be clothed with that impor-
tant trust, it appears to me
proper, especially AS it may con
duce to a more distinct express
sion of the public voice, that
should now apprise you of the
resolution | have formed to de
cline being considered among the
number of those out of whom a
choice is to be made.
1t is important, likewise, that
the habits of thinking in a free
country should inspire caution in
those entrusted with its admins
tratlon to contine themselves with.
In their respective constitutional
spheres, avoiding in the exercise
of the powers of one department
to encroach np0n another. The
spirit of encroachment tends to
consolidate the powers of all de
partmentS i'll one, and thus to
create, whatever the form of gov
ernment, a real despotism. A
Ju estimate of that love of
power and prOneneSs to abuse it
which predominateS in the human
heart is sufficient to satisfy us of
the truth of this position. The
necessity of reciprocal checks in
the exercise of political power,
by dividing and distributing it
into different repositories, and
constituting each the guardian
of the public veal against inva-
siOns by the others, has been
evinced by experiments ancient
and modern, some of them in our
country and under our own eyes.
To preserve them must be as nee.
essary as to institute them. If
in the opinion of the people the
distribution or modification of
the constitutional powers be in
any particular wrong, let it be
corrected by an amendment in the
way which the Constitution des-
ignates. But let there be no
change by usurpatiOn; for though
this in one instance may be the
instrument of good, it is the Gus
tomary weapon by which free
governments are destroyed. The
precedent must always greatly
overbalance in permanent evil
any partial or transient benefit
which the use can at any time
yield.
Asa very important source of
strength and security, cherish
public credit. One method OF
preserving it is to use it as spar
ingly as possible, avoiding oc-
casions Of expense by cultivating
peace, but remembering also that
timely disbursements to prepare
for danger frequently prevent
much greater disbursements to
repel it; avoiding likewise the ac
emulation of debt, not only by
stunning occasions of expense,
but by vigorous eXertiOns in time
of peace to discharge the debts
which unavoidable wars have oc-
casioned, not ungeneTously throw :
ing upon posterity the burden
which we ourselves ought to bear.
The execution of these maxims
belong to your representatives;
but it is necessary that public
opinion should co operate. TO ia.
cilitate to them the performance
of their duty it is essential that
you should practically bear in
mind that toward the payment of
debts there must be revenue; that
to have revenue there must be
taxes; that no taxes can be de
vised which are not more or less
inconvenient and unpleasant;
that from the intrinsic embarrass-
ment inseparable from the selec-
tion of the proper objects (Which
is always a choice of difficulties),
ought to be decisive motive for
a candid construction of the con-
duct of the government i'll max
ing it, and for spirit of acqui-
escence in the measures for OBJ
tanning revenue which the public
exigencies may at any time die
tate.
Observe good faith and justice
toward all nations. Cultivate
peace and harmony with all. Re-
ligion and morality enjoin this
conduct. And can it be that
good policy does not equally EN-
join it? 1t will be worthy of a
free. enlightened, and at no dis
tant period a great nation to give
to mankind the magnanimous and
too novel example of a people al
ways guided by an exalted JUS
tice and benevolence. Who can
doubt that in the course of time
and things the fruits of such a
,lan wauld richly ranaN any tnm.