Only after I spent a decade closely studying the period of the Founding did I understand that the Address had been totally misrepresented as to what it means, a warning against splitting the Union.
There is an interesting backstory to it as well. Madison originally drafted an Address then he and Jefferson became opponents to Washington (though they claimed it was to Hamilton) so George would not use it and asked Hamilton (his closest ally since 1776) to work his notes up into an Address. Jefferson had become so obnoxious to him that he refused to allow the name be mentioned in his presence the last yrs of his life. Much of the Address was directed at the consequences of their followers and beliefs.
You are right about the value of discussing thing with people who might have a different take. We all love the way we see things but honest people will change if confronted with the truth.
Thank you for your irenic reply. I have not yet had a chance to get to looking at this claim. I hope you won’t mind a reply or two way “after the fact.”
I am somewhat disappointed that your replies do not match your moniker on this one!! (smile) Seriously, thanks for the give and take. It is nice when these things help me LEARN and not just jostle egos with people.