Words from Washington still ring true today

I am a descendant of George Washington's mother, Mary Ball Washington. Her father, Joseph Ball, was the son of Colonel William Ball, who came to America from England in about 1635. He settled in Lancaster, Virginia with his wife Hannah Atherold and their three children: Joseph, William II, and Hannah II (Fox). One son, Richard, died in infancy in England. Colonel William Ball (1615-1680) was very prominent in Virginia politics, as well as his sons. Colonel William's brother Richard (1602-1684) is my lineage.

I have this copy of George Washington's speech of 17 Sept. 1796, which I found in doing my mother's family genealogy. I believe at this time in America's history that it would be a very good time to share it with your newspaper readers, and hopefully they will share with others.

I can only say how proud I am to be related to George Washington, and how much our ancestors gave up to fight "tyranny" and "high taxation," and also what they gave up to bless future generations with the marvelous "Constitution of the United States," and "The Declaration of Independence" so many, many years ago.

It is amazing how many politicians do not know or study the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. If they did, things would not be in the sad state they are in now. Perhaps you could print the Constitution in your newspaper so more people could read and study it, so they would be more selective in whom they vote for. We certainly need "term limits" for politicians in today's crazy world. It is sad that the writers of the Constitution did not realize that down the road, "We the People" need "term limits" for the prevention of "career politicians."

George Washington's Farewell Address Sept. 17, 1796

Washington expressed his heartfelt wish that "heaven may continue to give you the choicest tokens of its beneficence and 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." He then declared "the apprehension of danger" that prompted him to "offer to your solemn contemplation, and to recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments which are the result of much reflection, of no considerable observation, and which appear to me, all important to the permanency of your felicity as a people.

"But as it is easy to foresee that from different causes, and from different quarters, much pain will be taken, many artifices employed. To weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth (that enemies will try to overthrow the Republic) as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness ...

"All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency." Such "combinations and associations (conspirators) are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be able to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government: Destroying afterwards the very engines (Constitution) which have lifted them to unjust dominion ...

"One method of assault may be to effect in the forms of the Constitution alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown ...

"The jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican government .. .

"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled, with perfect good faith. Here let us stop ... (no treaties).

"Why forego the advantages of so peculiar situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?

"It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliance with any portion of the foreign world."

For 120 years this document formed the basis of our foreign policy; as a result, we prospered as no other nation in history.

Carolyn McHugh Murphy is a resident of Spirit Lake.