I
am deeply moved by these words of George Washington from his farewell
address, which I just read. They speak for me of the profound sacred
honor of service, of humility and of gratitude, and of the deepest
meanings to me of citizenship in this
country. The last set of sentences from this portion are extraordinary
expression of the depth of the soul of what America is, and who, what,
and how we can yet and still strive to be.
From the farewell address of George Washington, which begins
“Friends, & Fellow-Citizens:”
~
“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 honors 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 situations 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 my 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; than, 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.”
~
(The 6th paragraph of the farewell address of George Washington)
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/print_friendly.php?page=transcript&doc=15&title=Transcript+of+President+George+Washington%27s+Farewell+Address+%281796%29
posted on "Prayers for a New America"
https://www.facebook.com/PrayersAmerica
From the farewell address of George Washington, which begins
“Friends, & Fellow-Citizens:”
~
“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 honors 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 situations 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 my 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; than, 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.”
~
(The 6th paragraph of the farewell address of George Washington)
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/print_friendly.php?page=transcript&doc=15&title=Transcript+of+President+George+Washington%27s+Farewell+Address+%281796%29
posted on "Prayers for a New America"
https://www.facebook.com/PrayersAmerica
No comments:
Post a Comment