The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
Tag: George Washington
(1732-1799) Founding Father, 1st US President, ‘Father of Our Country.’
Most urgent fiscal consideration
No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: On none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable … Cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible: avoiding occasions of expence [and] avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt … not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen which we ourselves ought to bear.
Americans must put America first
Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.
The sacred obligation of the Constitution
The Constitution, which at any time exists ’till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People, is sacredly obligatory upon all.
How best to make citizens happy
Happiness is more effectually dispensed to mankind under a republican form of government than any other.
The best form of government
Republicanism is not the phantom of a deluded imagination. On the contrary, laws, under no form of government, are better supported, liberty and property better secured, or happiness more effectually dispensed to mankind.
Dangerous servant and fearful master
Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
The power of the free man
Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world, that a Freeman contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.
Pretended patriotism
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
Informed public
In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.