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I thought it useful to post on this forum some of the works of our founding fathers and influential persons, particularly from the crucial moments of our history.

I find Washington's statements to be particularly relevant and useful in our time with all that is going on around us in this country.

I'm sure any of us could pick different quotes from this speech that we find most useful, but I find these to be of special import and deserving of special notice:

"All obstructions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and Associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, controul counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the Constituted authorities are distructive of this fundamental principle and of fatal tendency. They serve to Organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force--to put in the place of the delegated will of the Nation, the will of a party; often a small but artful and enterprizing minority of the Community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public Administration the Mirror of the ill concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the Organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common councils and modefied by mutual interests. However combinations or Associations of the above description may now & then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the Power of the People, & to usurp for themselves the reins of Government; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

And "Harmony, liberal intercourse with all Nations, are recommended by policy, humanity and interest. But even our Commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand: neither seeking nor granting exclusive favours or preferences; consulting the natural course of things; diffusing & deversifying by gentle means the streams of Commerce, but forcing nothing..."

My favorite excerpt, which transcends race or religion or any other "diversity" BS:

Citizens by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same Religeon, Manners, Habits & political Principles. You have in a common cause fought & triumphed together--The independence & liberty you possess are the work of joint councils, and joint efforts--of common dangers, sufferings and successes.

We are all in it together. Their is no more important appellation than "American". Here we stand together, or fall together. Washington says: Take the hyphenated-American BS and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.......

I have had Washington's Farewell Address posted at my web site for a few years, now, and am gratified that it gets at least a few hits daily. There is still a hunger for such wisdom among some Americans. Would that that hunger grow until we are able to replace the sorry lot, who have failed to live up to the high standards Washington set, from positions of influence across the political landscape of America.

There was a time, before the days of NEA domination of America's public schools, when students actually studied Washington's Farewell address in their class rooms.

William Flax