The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-03-03
WhSH|NGTONS FAREWELL
ADDRESS APPLICABLE
TO THE PRESENT

| have just been reading portions
of Washington's Farewell Address to
the American People when withdraw
ing to private life. If he had spoken
the words yesterday they could not be
more appropriate for the national
need of the hour Among other things
he said
Observe good faith and justice to-
ward all nations, cultivate peace and
harmony with all. Religion and
morality cnjoin this conduct; and
can it be that good policy does not
equally enjoin it? 1t will be worthy
of free, enlightened and at no dis
tant period great nation to give to
mankind the magnanimous and too
novel example Of people always
guided by an exalted justice and
benevolcnce.
Who can doubt but in the course
of time and things. the fruits OF such
a plan would richly repay and tenn
porary advantages which might be lost
by steady adherence to it; can it be
| that Providence has not connected
| the permanent felicity of nation
with its virtue? The experiment, at
| least, is recommended by every senti-
ment which ennobles human nature.
| Alas, is it rendered impossible by its
| vices?
| In the execution of such plan
nothing is more essential than that
permanent, inveterate antipathies
against particular nations and passion
ate attachments for others should be
excluded; and that, in place OF them,
Just and amicable feeling toward all
should be cultivated.
Antpathy in one nation against an
other disposes each more readily to
offer insult and injury, to lay hold
of slight causes of umbrage, and to
be naughty and intractable when &C
cidental or trifing occasion of dis
pute occur. Hence frequent collisions,
obstinate, envenomed and bloody
| contests.
The nation, prompted by i'll will
and resentment. sometimes imOels to
war the government, contrary to the
best calculations of policy. The gov
eminent sometimes participates in the
national propensity and adopts
: | through passion what reason would
! reject; at other times it makes the
: | animosity of the nation subservient
} to projects Of hostility, instigated by
pride. ambition and other sinister and
pernicious motives. The peace often
sometimes perhaps the liberty of ma
T tons, has been the victim
The great rule of conduct for us in
: regard to foreign nations is. in ex-
tending our commercial relations, to
e have with them as little political con
l.. nection as possible
: Europe has a set of primary inter
:. ests which to us have none or very
n remote relation. Hence she must be
/ engaged in frequent controversies
II the causes of which are essentially
S foreign to our concerns. Hence
o therefore, it must be unwise in us tc
e implicate ourselves by artificial ties il
:. the ordinary vicissitudes of her poll
n tics or the ordinary combinations ant
o collisions of her friendships or enmi
l. ties.
Our detached and distant situation
n invites and enables us to pursue
l. different course. If we remain on
is people, under an efficient government
n the period is not far off when W
e may defy material injury from eX
is ternal annoyance; when we may tax
such an attitude as will cause tn
E. neutrality we may at any time resolv
d upon to be scrupulously respected
f. when belligerent nations, under tn
a lmpOSSlDllty OF making acquisition
as upon us, will notl lightly hazard givin
us provocaton.
Why forego the advantages of S
peculiar situation? Why quit OF
I'd own to stand upon foreign ground
'g Why. by Interviewing our destin
IL with that of any part of Europe, CT
rs. tangle our peace and prosperity
b. the tolls of European ambition, riva
ra ship, interest, humor or caprice?
,rt Harmony and liberal intercou
ty, with all nations are recommended /
y policy, humanity and interest.
cs OBSERVER.
IL