George Speaks

Linda Lou Burton posting from Little Rock, Arkansas – A few months back I wrote a letter to our first President, asking him to have a look round at how the “presidency” is working out these days, some 46 presidents after he began. I’ll be darned if he didn’t answer me! He actually just gave me a gentle nudge to read his Farewell Address; the letter he wrote to “the people of the United States” September 17, 1796, explaining why he chose not to serve a third term, and leaving behind his hopes for how we’d fare in the years ahead. Back then, you know, we didn’t have “insta-news” so his letter was published in a Philadelphia newspaper for a nice, slow read, and his expectations, right there in black and white, are pretty clear.

George was nice enough to highlight some major points – with headings – to share with you today, in case you find our current political situation a bit confused.

Protect National Unity

The unity of government, which constitutes you one people, is a main pillar of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. The name of America, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations.

Beware of Political Party Spirit

Let me warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, is in itself a frightful despotism. 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 his disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

Obey The Law

The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government.

Preserve the System of Checks and Balances

The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, and constituting each the guardian of the public weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern, some of them in our country and under our own eyes. To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute them. 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.

Promote Education

Promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.

Beware of Easy Changes in Government

Toward the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular opposition to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. Remember that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that, for the efficient management of your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian.

Not Your Basic 10-Second Soundbite

Well spoken George. You know, I made a picture of this statue of you when I visited the Richmond capitol a few years ago. I’m told it’s the only full length life-sized statue for which you ever posed, and features not only your sword and your Revolutionary uniform, but also your civilian walking cane and a plough, showing you as a soldier, statesman, and private citizen.

It would be nice if your words could be slowly savored over a cup of coffee and an arm-spreading black and white ink-and-paper smelling newspaper today, but alas, it’s difficult to absorb much depth with our current electronic devices.

Still, I pass your words of wisdom along, with hope. Thank you.