Thread: Farwell speech from the original GW (George Washington)

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/RA...hfarewell.html
From WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS, 1796:

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate
peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this
conduct. And can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin
it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant
period a great nation to give to mankind the magnanimous and too
novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and
benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of time and things
the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary
advantage which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can
it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity
of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is
recommended by every sentiment which enobles human nature.
Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?

In the execution of such a plan nothing is more essential than
that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular
nations and passionate attachments for others should be
excluded, and that in place of them just and amicable feelings
toward all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges
toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is
in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to
its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray
from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against
another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury,
to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and
intractable when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur.

So, likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another
produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation,
facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in
cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into
one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a
participation in the quarrles and wars of the latter without
adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to
concessions to the favorite nation of privileges denied to
others, which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the
concessions by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have
been retained, and by exciting jealousy, ill will, and a
disposition to retaliate in the parties from whom equal
privileges are withheld; and it gives to ambitious,
corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the
favorite nation) facility to betray or sacrifice the interests
of their own country without odium, sometimes even with
popularity, gilding with the appearances of a virtuous sense
of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion,
or a laudable zeal for public good the base or foolish
compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation.

. . .

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you
to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people
ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove
that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of
republican government. But that jealousy, to be useful, must
be impartial, else it becomes the instrument of the very influence
to be avoided, instead of a defense against it. Excessive
partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of
another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one
side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence
on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the
favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its
tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people
to surrender their interests.

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 possible. So far as we have
already formed engagements let them be fulfilled with perfect
good faith. Here let us stop.

There is a great deal of good advice from Washington to the American People. 210 years later we find that the American people have missed on every point Washington warned us to be careful of. The section above particularly, but not solely, warning and offering guidance for our current illegal immigrant problem. Please read it and reread it until you understand it. I do not know how anyone can read these words and accept anything less than the House bill. We even have from Washinton himself the grounds for refusing any popular opinion that may establish partiality to one nation over others. Remember that estimations put Mexicans at 66% of the illegal alien population. Preferential treatment? You bet. Foreign influence? Absolutly. How else can the visit of El Presidente Fox be portrayed? As Washington also warned; our meddling with outher countries has fostered jealousy and has made us a target. It is almost unfathomable that Washington forsaw soo many of the issues that have plagued and destroyed our government.

AI_BOT

It is truely remarkable that George Washington had such insight. It is indeed a blessing just to read the honored words. Thanks for posting this!

In Washingtons' view we would be the slaves to the outside interest, the illegal aliens, because we have come to depend on them. To say we can not get rid of them is to admit defeat. To admit the demise of our country as a whole. To admit the complete failure of the experiment. To admit that no collection of people can stand and act as, and to the collective benifit of, one People. That every man will give in to greed, power, and shameless self-promotion. Placing his own personal views, interests, and aspirations above all others. To believe that in this guise men of a like mind or interest will band together to spread their influence and to manipulate events as to serve in the disinterest of the many and to the benifit of the few. And that, if ambitious and so inclined, any group will be allowed to succeed in the corruption of that which we should all hold most dear.

AI_BOT