GENERAL WASHINGTON. 



123 



The able and enlightened remarks of that 

 renowned general and eminent statesman, » 

 Washington, in his farewell address to the 

 people of the United States, relative to the 

 well-being of a nation, are equally applicable 

 to the existence and prosperity of a Colony : 

 u Of all the dispositions and habits which lead 

 to political prosperity (he observed), religion 

 and morality are indispensable supports. In 

 vain would that man claim the tribute of pat- 

 riotism, who should labour to subvert these 

 great pillars of human happiness, these firmest 

 props of men and citizens. The mere politician, 

 equally with the pious man, ought to respect 

 and cherish them. A volume would not trace 

 all their connexions with private and public 

 felicity. Let it be simply asked, Where is the 

 security for property, for reputation, for life, 

 if the sense of religious obligation desert the 

 oaths which are the instruments of investiga- 

 tion in the courts of justice ? And let us with 

 caution indulge the supposition, that morality 

 can be maintained without religion. What- 

 ever be conceded to the influence of refined 

 education, or minds of a peculiar structure ; 

 reason and experience forbid us to expect that 

 national morality can prevail in exclusion of 

 religious principle." 



