pt. V. Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addressesHarper & brothers, 1848 - United States |
Common terms and phrases
13 October 17 June 18 December 20 January 20 November 21 February 22 April 24 October 25 June 26 September 31 March acres affectionate approbation April attention August barley blessings Buck Buckwheat bushels circumstances citizens Clover conduct constitution Corn Creek crop December duty endeavours established execution express farms favor February fellow-citizens fence field GENTLEMEN GEORGE WASHINGTON give grass ground happiness honor HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSES OF CONGRESS Indians interest James January John July June justice land laws letter liberty manure March meadow measures ment Mount Vernon nation necessary November object occasion October opinion patriotism peace Pennsylvania person pleased ploughing Potatoes present President proper Providence receive render respect river Samuel satisfaction seed SENATE sentiments September sincere sowing sown things Thomas tion tobacco treaty Union United VIII Virginia wheat William wish
Popular passages
Page 232 - It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world ^ so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. (I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.) I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend...
Page 226 - Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its...
Page 233 - There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate upon, real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.
Page 231 - Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people under an efficient government, the period is not far off when we may defy material injury, from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected...
Page 229 - So likewise a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification.
Page 225 - It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.
Page 219 - The South, in the same intercourse, benefiting by the agency of the North, sees its agriculture grow and its commerce expand. Turning partly into its own channels the seamen of the North, it finds its particular navigation invigorated; and while it contributes in different ways to nourish and increase the general mass of the national navigation, it looks forward to the protection of a maritime strength to which itself is unequally adapted.
Page 217 - ... the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete, by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing, as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation, which is yet a stranger to it.
Page 231 - Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a 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...
Page 222 - Will it not be their wisdom to rely for the preservation of these advantages on the UNIOW by which they were 'procured? Will they not henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if such there are, who would sever them from their brethren, and connect them with aliens ? To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a Government for the whole is indispensable.