HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
have been employed in personal 
ambition and aggrandizement ; or, 
what is wore, for the aggrandize- 
ment of absolute monarchs, whose 
precarious smiles were preferred to 
the steady and dignified regards of 
true glory. A Charles of Sweden 
sacrifices his people to animosity, 
pride, “and revenge. A Richelieu 
lays his countrymen in chains at 
[205 
the feet of their haughty sovereign, 
The moral philosopher exclaims, on 
areview of the great qualities of 
Julius Cesar, 
« Curse on his virtues! they’veundone 
his country.’ 
The great and good qualities of 
general Washington were displays 
ed in a great and good cause: the 
would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labour to subvert these 
_ great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and ci- 
tizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and 
cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and 
public felicity. Let itsimply be asked, where is the security for property, for re 
putation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the 
instruments of investigation’in the courts of justice? And let us with caution ins 
dulge the supposition, that national niorality can subsist without religion. What 
ever may be conceded to the influence of refined education, on minds of a peculiar 
structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality 
€an prevail, in exclusion of religious principles.” 
The legislature and patriot proceeded to warn his countrymen against inveterate 
antipathies against particular nations. On this subject he makes these remarkable 
observations, of which many will, no doubt, make, at this present moment, parti+ 
cular applications. “ The nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes 
impels to war the government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The go- 
vernment sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts, througla 
passion, what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the 
nation subservient to projects of hostility, instigated by pride, ambition, and other 
sinister and pernicious motives. -The peace often, sometimes, perhaps, the h- 
berty of nations, has been the victims.” Qn this point,ofan equal and just regard 
for all nations ; and, on the other hand, on the insidious wiles of foreign influence, 
general Washington descants at a greater length than on any of the other topics on 
which he touches ; and, if possible, with greater earnestness. It is not difficult, 
from hence, to conjecture, what was, at the time, the principal object of his soli+ 
citude—forcign influence, particularly that of the French republic. 
The world has had many political testaments; some real, some counterfeit : 
none that breathes such pure morality, such sublime and sound policy, as the ad- 
dress and the example of general Washington. The style of his paternal letters 
and speeches, exhorting his countrymen to preserve union among themselves, and 
peace, good faith, and sincere good-will towards all nations, as well as the senti+ 
ments, shining forth with mild radiance, not in fiery flame, were contrasted with 
Certain passionate persuasives to war. !low much to be preferred is sound sense, 
implicity, and sincerity of intention, self-command and moderation of temper, to 
€ most shining talents and accomplishments without them! Yet, though we 
€annot rank general Washington in the first class of literary geniuses, he was not 
deficient, but greatly above par, in the most useful kinds of knowledge, and also in 
the art of writing. His thoughts are clearly arranged ; he manages with great skill 
the march ofhis hearer’s or reader’s sentiments and spirits; his language is pera 
fectly grammatical and pure, and altogether free from any provincial slang, aod 
cockuey or metropolitan barbarisms, which, issuing from the house of commons 
and newspapers, has adulterated the English tongue, and threatens, in its progress, 
to render it to future ages unintelligible. A like observation may be extended to 
writings of Dr, Franklin, Mr, Adams, and other American writers. 
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cause 
