Evening star., 1922-02-19
BY THOMAS II. MARSHALL
Former Vice President Of the United
States.

EXT Wednesday when the
M Senate convenes some
u senator. previously desjg-
mated by the Vice PreEi-
dent, will formally read the fare
well address of George Washing
ton. This will be pursuant to
standing order Of the Senate that
provides that the farewell address
shall be read each February %.
Years ago the Senate decreed that
once a year its members should be
reminded Of the principles enun-
ciated in that most remarkable
state paper.
Even withoutsthe annual reading
in the Senate the farewell address
of the first President would be cal
culated to survive. Many there
are who think 1t was inspired no
less than was the Bible. In lofti-
ness Of theme and conservation to
public duty and in its appeal to
patriotism the address has never
been surpassed. Along with the
Scriptures the Constitution of the
United States and the Declaration
Of independence. 1t Is constantly
quoted by individuals. groups and
parties to defend conduct and to
justify policies. These sublime
documents may always be counted
on to vindicate human Judgment.
A beautiful characteristic OF ali of
them IL that they may be cited in
support Of almost any course of
conduct.
X
Well may the members of the
agricultural bloc who have been
rebuked by their party leaders and
associates for holding party ties
lightly say why rebuke us for
throwing of political letters when
you constantly are reminding the
American people Of what Wash
ington thought about the baneful
influence Of party on the best in
terests Of the republic?" But party
lite and blocite both may ponder
again this week this assertion OF
the father Of his country, which
has come down to US:
"One Of the expedients of party
naH.
ticular districts is to naisrepre-
sent the opinions and aims Of
other districts. You cannot shield
yourselves too much against the
jealousies and heart-burnings
which spring from these misrep-
resentations: they tend to render
alien to each other those who
ought to be bound together by
fraternal affection"
ThPnnphnyt fhn 1o0O .,,a.
the league of nations the farewell
address was quoted time and again,
mostly by senators opposing rati-
hcation. No doubt great use of 1t
will be made again in the coming
debates over the treaties of the
arms conference. Here are some
Of the points in the address which
present-day thought:
Observe good faith and justice
toward all nations: cultivate peace
and harmony with all.
=. nothing is more essential
than that antipathies against
particular nations and passionate
attachments for others should be
excluded: and that. in place of
them. Just and amicable feelings
"The great rule Of conduct for
US. in regard to foreign nations.
Is. in extending our commercial
relations. to have with them as
little political connection as pos
sible. So far rs we have already
formed engagements. let them be
fulfilled with perfect good faith.
Here let US stop.
Europe has a set Of primary in
terests. which to US have none. or
a very remote relation. Hence, she i.
must be engaged in frequent con-
troversies, the causes of which are
essentially foreign to our con-
Germs. Hence, therefore, it must
be unwise in us to implicate our
selves, by artificial ties. in the or
dinary vtcissitudes Of the politics. or
the ordinary combinations and COL
llsions Of her friendships or enemi-
ties.
"Our detached and distant situa-
tion invitessa and enables US to DUR
sue a different course. Why
forego the advantages Of so pecu-
liar q situation? Why quit our
own to stand upon foreign ground?
with that of any part OF Europe,
entangle our peace and prosperity
in the tolls Of European ambition,
rivalship, interest, humor or ca.
price7"
*A*
Would it were possible to de-
Ntermine which evil Washington
would believe the greater menace
to his country. that of blind. un-
reasoning party loyalty. or that
of alliances with foreign coun-
tries. The man who pins his
faith to party may well insist that
it was foreign alliances that
washington most feared. Others
Of US who deplore partisanship In
consideration of our foreign re-
lations regard party solidarity as
wholly inimical, when what 1t