Washington's Political Legacies: To which is Annexed an Appendix, Containing an Account of His Illness, Death, and the National Tributes of Respect Paid to His Memory with a Biographical Sketch of His Life and Character, His Will, and Dr. Tappan's Discourse, Before the University of Cambridge |
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Page 76
... its principles , in the distribution of its powers , uniting security with energy , and contain- ing , within itself , a provision for its own a- mendment , has a just claim to your confi- dence , and your support . Respect for its ...
... its principles , in the distribution of its powers , uniting security with energy , and contain- ing , within itself , a provision for its own a- mendment , has a just claim to your confi- dence , and your support . Respect for its ...
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Common terms and phrases
Aaron ADAMS affection affectionate America Andrew Athearn blessing capt John character Clark commander in chief conduct confidence Congress countrymen Dana Samuel danger Daniel David Davis distressing doct duty Ebenezer Edward Eliſha eſq event favour feel felicity fellow citizens Fofter foreign gentlemen GEORGE WASHINGTON glory gress happiness Haskell hearts heaven Henry honour house of representatives human Ifaac illustrious INGTON innu interest Jackſon Jacob James Jofeph Jofiah JOHN ADAMS John Dodge John jun John Thayer Johnfon Jonathan Joſeph jun Joſhua justice liberty ment military mind Mofes Mount Vernon Nathan Nathaniel Nathaniel Freeman nation occasion officers opinion Parfons patriotism peace Peirce political pounds sterling president proper resolution respect retire Richard Samuel Clark Samuel G Sargent scene senate sentiments Smith spect spirit Stephen Thayer Thomas jun Timothy tion Topsfield troops unanimous union United virtue William jun wishes
Popular passages
Page 83 - If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be, in any particular, wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for, though this in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
Page 69 - ... to the permanency of your felicity as a people. These will be offered to you with the more freedom, as you can only see in them the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who can possibly have no personal motive to bias his counsel.
Page 93 - ... the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, and liable to be from time to time abandoned or varied, as experience and circumstances shall dictate...
Page 78 - One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the constitution, alterations, which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown.
Page 86 - 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.
Page 80 - The disorders and miseries which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual ; and sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
Page 76 - This Government, the offspring of our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and your support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true Liberty.
Page 86 - To facilitate to them the performance of their duty it is essential that you should practically bear in mind that towards the payment of debts there must be revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic embarrassment, inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties), ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the...
Page 90 - 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.
Page 94 - I could wish — that they will control the usual current of the passions or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But if I may even flatter myself that 'they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good — that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism — this hope will be a full recompense for...