The border vidette., 1931-09-12
WASHlNGTON'S FAREWELL AD-
DRESS SEPT. II, 1896

political testament than that con-
tanned in President Washington's
Farewell Address on Septem Der.
II, 1896, after be had refused to
accept the Presidency for the
third time.
The majority of the people of
the UDited States would gladly
have had him lead the Nation
again, but this time Washington
would not yield to the wishes of
bis friends and of the country.
He felt that be had done his
work and earned the rest and
privacy for which be longed
above all earthly things.
Now. from the heights of great
achievement, be turned to say
farewell to the people whom be
loved so much, and whom be
had SO greatly served. Every
word sounded the purest and
wisest patriotism.
Urging Americans to stand
united, be said: The name of
America, which belongs to you,
in your national capacity, must
always exalt the just pride of
patriotism, more than any ap
peliation derived from local dis
crimination.
Continuing, be said. in sub
stance: Let there be no section
aism, no North. South, East or
West; you are all dependent upon
each other, and should be one in
union"
There we're many gems of
wisdom in this remarkable ad
dress. He urged his fellow citi
zens to keep the departments of
government separate, to promote
education. cherish the public
spirit and to avoid debt.
His admonitions were re ce we'd
by the people at large with pro
found respect, and sank deep in
the public mind. His farewell
address has grown dearer and
4 dearer to the hearts of the peo
pie and to this day it is turned
to by the Nations leaders who
know that there is mo room for
error in following its counsel.
Washington had gone through
much tribulation in establishing
the government of the United
States, which might easily have
come to naueht without his com
manding influence. He had i'm
parted to it the dignity of his
own great character. He had
sustained the splendid financial
policy Of Hamilton. He bad
struck a fatal blow at the Party
spirit in our politics, and had
lifted up our foreign policy to a
plane worthy of an independent
nation. He had aided the march
of western settlement, and with
out loss Of honor had gained time
to enable our institutions to
harden and become strong.
He had made treaties with
England and Spain that enhanc
ed the prospects Of peace, and
except in the case of France,
where there we're perilous com
plications to be solved by his
successor, be left the United
States in far better and more
honorable relations with the rest
of the world than even the most
sauguine would have dared to
hope when the Constitution was
formed.
| In making bis valedictory ad
| dress, Washington, in singularly
beautiful language expresses bis
gratitude of the high honor paid
him by the people of the country
in electing him two times to the
| Presidency. In this connection
| he says:
| In looking forward t, the
| moment, which is intended to
terminate the career of my pub
lie life, my feelings do not per
nit me to suspend the deep
Acknowledgement OF that debt O1
| gratitude, which l owe to ms
! beloved country, y,-for the many
| donors it has conferred upon me
| still more for the stedfast conf
| dence with which it has support
| ed me; and for the opportunities
II | have thence enjoyed Of mani
i l. l. 4
! by services faithful and perse
| vering, though in usefulness
unequal to my zeal. If benefits
have resulted to our country
:. from these serviceo, let il
always be remember to your
praise, and as an instructive ex
ample in our annals. that under
circumstances in which the pas
siOns agitated iu eVerV direction