George Washington – Uncommon Sense

Isolationism and self-reliance

There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation.

Reason needs freedom of speech

If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

The time is now near at hand

The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore to resolve to conquer or die.

If we lose free speech

If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

Traitors

No punishment, in my opinion, is too great for a man who can build his greatness upon his country’s ruin.

Only one way

There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.

Death by fiat currency

If ever again our nation stumbles upon unfunded paper, it shall surely be like death to our body politic. This country will crash.

The effect of paper money

But if in the pursuit of the means we should unfortunately stumble again on unfunded paper money or any similar species of fraud, we shall assuredly give a fatal stab to our national credit in its infancy. Paper money will invariably operate in the body of politics as spirit liquors on the human body. They prey on the vitals and ultimately destroy them. Paper money has had the effect in your state that it will ever have, to ruin commerce, oppress the honest, and open the door to every species of fraud and injustice.

American isolationism

My policy has been, and will continue to be, while I have the honor to remain in the administration of the government, to be upon friendly terms with, but independent of, all the nations of the earth. To share in the broils of none. To fulfill our own engagements. To supply the wants, and be carriers for them all: Being thoroughly convinced that it is our policy and interest to do so.

Conduct with other nations

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have as little political connection as possible … Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalships, interest, humor, or caprice? … It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.