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Washington’s Farewell Address 1796

Washington’s Farewell Address 1796

George Washington January 1, 1796 In this famous address, he criticizes the spirit of faction that erupted among his colleagues. In terms of religion, the key paragraph is two thirds of the way down, starting, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” He declared that it would be literally unpatriotic to attack religion and suggested that the rule of law would disintegrate without religion because the legal system relies on…

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Sixth Annual Message of George Washington, November 19, 1794

Sixth Annual Message of George Washington, November 19, 1794

George Washington November 19, 1794 In the final paragraph, Washington called upon Divine support for his policies opposing the Whiskey Rebellion. Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: When we call to mind the gracious indulgence of Heaven by which the American people became a nation; when we survey the general prosperity of our country, and look forward to the riches, power, and happiness to which it seems destined, with the deepest regret do I announce…

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First Inaugural Address of George Washington, 1789

First Inaugural Address of George Washington, 1789

George Washington April 30, 1789 He invokes the Almighty Being, the Great Author, and “benign Parent of the Human Race.”   Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and received on the 14th day of the present month. On the one hand, I was summoned by my Country, whose voice I…

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