Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-17
Farewell Address
Of Washington

n RESIDENT WASHINGTON
- was generally urged TO become
candidate for the chief magis
tracy third time. While some
opposition TO him had developed there
Is no doubt shat he could have been
elected II he had permitted the use OF
his name. His declination and the
reasons that impelled him TO make Il
established the unwritten law that no
president can serve more than two
terms. General Washington's refusal
TO let his name be considered FOR n
third election was made In his historic
farewell address. II am Influenced"
ne declared, 'by no diminution OF zeal
Tor your future interest. no deficiency
OF grateful respect for your past kind.
ness, but am supported by full con
viction that the step is compatible with
both" Continuing he said:
Here. perhaps. ! ought 20 stop. but n
soicitude FOR your welfare. which cannot
end but with my life and tho apprehen-
sion OF danger natural 10 that solicitude
urge me. on an occasion like the present
70 oner 10 your solemn contemplation and
10 recommend - your frequent review
some sentiments which are the result OF
lnrOnNtInTnhle h
serNation, and which appear 10 me all I'm
portant 20 the permanency Of your felicity
as a people. These will be offered TO Won
with the more freedom as you can only
see In them the disinterested warnings OF
a parting friend who can possibly have no
personal motive TO bias HIS counsel
In contemplating the causes which may
disturb our union. Il occurs as a matter OF
serious concern that any ground should
have been furnished for characterizing
10 -
northern and southern. Atlantic and west
ern, whence designing men may endeavor
20 excite belief that there r. a real diff
fernce OF local interests and views One
or the expedients OF party 10 acquire In
fiuence within particular districts is 10
misrepreseut the opinions and aims OF
other districts You cannot shield your
selves too much against the Jeaiousies' and
heartburnings which spring from these
misrepresentation; they tend TO render
allen to each other those who ought "a
DE bound together by fraternal affection.
1t IS important. likewise that the habits
OF thinking In a free country should in
spire caution. In those intrusted with its
administration. 10 confine themselves
within their respective constitutional
spheres, avoiding In the exercise OF the
powers OF one department to encroach
upon another. The spirit OF encroach-
ment tends TO consolidate the powers of
all the departments ia one and thus 20
create. whatever the form OF government
a real despotisus. A just estimate OF mat
love OF power and proneness to abuse u
which predoninates in the human heart
Is sufficient to satisfy Us OF the truth OF
this position.
all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony
with all
In the execution OF such a plan nothing
rs more essential than that permanent IN
veterate antipathies against particular ma
lions and passionate attachments for 9TH
ers should be excluded and that in place
of them just and amicable feelings toward
all should be cultivated. The nation
which INDUCES toward another a ha-
bitual hatred or a h2bitual fondness is In
some degree a slave e IS a slave to its
luminosity or TO its affection. either OF
which Is sufficient to lead II astray from
sts duty and its interests.
Antipathy In one nation against another
olsposes each more readily TO offer insult
and Injury. TO lay hold OF slight causes OF
umbrage and TO be naughty and intracta-
Die when accidental or trifing occasions
OF dispute occur; hence frequent COLI
sions. obstinate. envenomed and bloody
contests. The nation prompted by Ill will
and resentment sometimes impels to war
the government. contrary 10 the best cal
culations OF policy
The government sometimes participates
In the national propensity and adopts
through passion what reason would re-
5ect: at other times 81 makes the animos-
tty OF the nation subservient to projects OF
host.sssy instigated by pride. ambition and
ether sinister and pernicious motives. The
peace often. sometimes perhaps the lib
erty. OF nations has been the victim.
Against the insidious wiles OF foreign
influence I conture you to believe me. my
fellow citizens. the jealousy OF a free peo-
pie ought TO be constantly awake. since
history ard experience prove that foreign
tnnuence Is one CT tie most baneful foes
OF republican government. But that Jeai-
II becomes the instrument OF the very in
nneace TO be avoided. instead OF a defense