|
Background
This
speech was written by George Washington to decline to run for a third term
for the office of president. Although written over two centuries ago it
address most of the ill's the country faces today; because so many
have refused to follow the admonishments and wisdom contained in this
speech.
Below are a few paragraphs from it that address the
necessity of (Christian) religion and morality in the nation. The whole speech addresses many issues which you can read by
following the hyperlink at the end of this article
For this
you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens by birth or
choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your
affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national
capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any
appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades
of difference, you have the same Religion, Manners, Habits & political
Principles. You have in a common cause fought & triumphed
together--The independence & liberty you possess are the work of joint
councils, and joint efforts--of common dangers, sufferings and successes.
Of
all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity,
Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man
claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great
Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men &
citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man ought to respect
& to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with
private & public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the
security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious
obligation desert the Oaths, which are the instruments of
investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the
supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever
may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar
structure--reason & experience both forbid us to expect that National
morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
'Tis
substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of
popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to
every species of Free Government. Who that is a sincere friend to it, can
look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the
fabric.
Promote
then as an object of primary importance, Institutions for the general
diffusion of knowledge( Christian seminaries.) In proportion as the structure of a government
gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should
be enlightened.
Observe
good faith & justice towards 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 & benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of
time and things the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary
advantages 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 ennobles human Nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its
vices.
The
inducements of interest for observing that conduct will best be referred
to your own reflections & experience. With me, a predominant motive
has been to endeavor to gain time to our country to settle & mature
its yet recent institutions, and to progress without interruption, to that
degree of strength & consistency, which is necessary to give it,
humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes
Though in reviewing the incidents of my Administration, I am unconscious
of intentional error--I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to
think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may
be I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to
which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my Country
will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that after forty five
years of my life dedicated to its Service, with an upright zeal, the
faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself
must soon be to the Mansions of rest.
.... I
shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing
vows that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its
beneficence--that your Union & brotherly affection may be
perpetual--that the free constitution, which is the work of your hands,
may be sacredly maintained--that its Administration in every department
may be stamped with wisdom and Virtue--that, in fine, the happiness of the
people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made
complete, by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this
blessing as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the
applause, the affection--and adoption of every nation which is yet a
stranger to it.
Read
the whole speech.
|