Post by wyldberi on Sept 27, 2006 19:15:11 GMT -5
Years ago I had a book that was only about an inch thick. It contained the text of a lot of historical documents I'd use for reference (U.S. Articles of Confederation & Constitution, many of the Federalist and AntiFederalist Papers, etc.). I can't find that book and I miss it.
Below is a link to a web site that's archived a wealth of information. These historical documents go back to ancient Greece and Rome. It contains many documents from British and European history from which the Founding Fathers of America drew their ideas.
Check it out, if you're interested. (It seems to be associated with the Cato Institute in some manner. But I don't believe they've revised the documents stored there, yet.)
www.libertystory.net/LSDOCMENU.htm
The following passage is taken from one of these documents: Washington's Farewell Address, 1796:
"The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. 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. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings, and successes."
When we look at the politics of division and wedge issues as practiced by the rove/cheney/bush machine, we see the results of that which Washington warned about. When I listen to right-wing brainless idiots mindlessly mouthing the daily talking points, the effect is clearly evident: "You guys . . ." (fill in whatever; it characterizes the American political landscape with an us v. them mentality that cannot consider America to be united. And what did Washington say? Unity is the source of our peace, tranquility, prosperity and happiness.
Next time someone starts spouting off, ask them why they prefer to support those who choose to weaken America by creating strife than to support a voice that recognizes the fact that we are all Americans facing the same issues to be dealt with.
Below is a link to a web site that's archived a wealth of information. These historical documents go back to ancient Greece and Rome. It contains many documents from British and European history from which the Founding Fathers of America drew their ideas.
Check it out, if you're interested. (It seems to be associated with the Cato Institute in some manner. But I don't believe they've revised the documents stored there, yet.)
www.libertystory.net/LSDOCMENU.htm
The following passage is taken from one of these documents: Washington's Farewell Address, 1796:
"The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. 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. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings, and successes."
When we look at the politics of division and wedge issues as practiced by the rove/cheney/bush machine, we see the results of that which Washington warned about. When I listen to right-wing brainless idiots mindlessly mouthing the daily talking points, the effect is clearly evident: "You guys . . ." (fill in whatever; it characterizes the American political landscape with an us v. them mentality that cannot consider America to be united. And what did Washington say? Unity is the source of our peace, tranquility, prosperity and happiness.
Next time someone starts spouting off, ask them why they prefer to support those who choose to weaken America by creating strife than to support a voice that recognizes the fact that we are all Americans facing the same issues to be dealt with.