small degree taken up with tracing opinion and assertion as to the actual character of the Union; and the historian is compelled to notice the change which took place in the opinions, words and thoughts of statesmen as they were influenced by the change in society and by the prevalence or growth of doctrines as to the origin and nature of the State.

... My purpose in this paper has been to show: (1) That the men of one hundred and twenty-five years ago thought within the limits of the compact philosophy; (2) That they carried the compact idea so far that they actually spoke of the Constitution as a social compact; (3) That it is necessary for us to remember their fundamental ideas and to interpret their words and conscious acts in the light of their methods of thought; (4) That in the development of modern organic philosophy new ideas were introduced and new meanings assigned to terms; (5) That from this latter fact, from the inability to agree on fundamental conceptions, arose confusion; (6) That the doctrine of state sovereignty as it has been developed rests on philosophic presuppositions almost if not entirely unknown to the framers of the Constitution; (7) That if we use the terms and insist on the ideas of the organic philosophy, we are entitled to seek the realities lying behind the words of men.

ANDREW MCLAUGHLIN, Social Compact and Constitutional Construction, in American Historical Review, April, 1900. 468-490.

CHAPTER XVIII

WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS

SUGGESTIONS

THIS document was addressed to the People of the United States as a final word of parting from the President. Its date the 17th of September, indicates the day of its publication, but during the previous summer Washington, with the advice of Madison and Hamilton, had been at work upon the address. Its text contains the personal point of view which the Father of Our Country assumed towards the government. It sets forth his policy in domestic and foreign relations; it abounds in wholesome advice in regard to affairs of state; and it is reminiscent of his own share in the building up of a government to the organization and administration of which he had contributed so great a part.

The instruction given in this document to the American people has been followed until the present decade with much faithfulness. In the study of this final declaration we should note the doctrines of the Constitutional Convention, the principles of Washington's administration, and the fear which he felt of a division resulting from sectional partisanship.

In reading the Farewell Address, one is compelled to dwell upon the noble spirit, the unselfish motives, and exalted ideal of its author, whose chief aim had been to bind the separate states together in a lasting union.

For Outlines and Analysis, see Appendix B, § 5.

DOCUMENT

Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States (September 17th, 1796)

George

FRIENDS, AND FELLOW-CITIZENS, The period for Washington. a new election of a Citizen, to administer the Executive Government of the United States, being not

Works, xiii.

277-325.

far distant, and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person, who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprize you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those, out of whom a choice is to be made.

I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be assured, that this resolution has not been taken, without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation, which binds a dutiful citizen to his country - and that, in withdrawing the tender of service - which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness; but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.

dition is em

ton's deter

end of the

The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, The "Third the office to which your suffrages have twice called Term" trame, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to phasized by the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what Washingappeared to be your desire.I constantly hoped, mination to that it would have been much earlier in my power, retire at the consistently with motives, which I was not at liberty second term. to disregard, to return to that retirement, from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign Nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea. —

I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty,

Personal

modesty was the foundation for Washington's habitual justice to himself and others.

or propriety; and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that, in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determination to retire.

The impressions, with which I first undertook the arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have, with good intentions, contributed towards the organization and administration of the government, the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious, in the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. - Satisfied, that, if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

In looking forward to the moment, which is intended to terminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude, which I owe to my beloved country, - for the many honours it has conferred upon me; still more for the steadfast confidence with which it has supported me; and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. - If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remembered to your praise, and as an instructive example in our annals, that under circumstances in which the Passions, agitated in every direction, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging, in situ

ations in which not unfrequently want of success has countenanced the spirit of criticism, the constancy of your support was the essential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to the grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence that your union and 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.

Here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But a solicitude for your welfare, which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension of danger, natural to that solicitude, urge me on an occasion like the present, to offer to your solemn contemplation, and to recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments; which are the result of much reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, and which appear to me allimportant 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. Nor can I forget, as an encouragement to it your indulgent reception of my sentiments on a former and not dissimilar occasion.

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every Reference ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine to inherent is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.

love of free

dom in the