Washington’s Farewell Address
543
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?
In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate
attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them,
just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The nation
which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its
interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more
readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage,
and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions
of dispute occur. Hence, frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed and
bloody contests. The nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the Government, contrary to the best calculations of
policy. The Government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times,
it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility