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| It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. ~George Washington |
Washington's Farewell Address 1796
Page 5: On Religion and Government, Public Debt and Taxes
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 and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to
cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and 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 and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality
can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is 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. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is
essential that public opinion should be enlightened.
As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of
preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by
cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger
frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it, avoiding likewise the
accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertion
in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not
ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear. The
execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is necessary that public
opinion should co-operate. 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 government in making it,
and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, which the public
exigencies may at any time dictate.
Observe good faith and 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 and 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?
Page 5: On Religion and Government, Public Debt and Taxes
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 and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to
cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and 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 and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality
can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is 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. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is
essential that public opinion should be enlightened.
As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of
preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by
cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger
frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it, avoiding likewise the
accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertion
in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not
ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear. The
execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is necessary that public
opinion should co-operate. 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 government in making it,
and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, which the public
exigencies may at any time dictate.
Observe good faith and 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 and 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?
Page 6: International Rel.
Page 4: On Political Parties
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