George Washington’s Farewell Address, was originally published in David Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796. The most important part was his warning to future generations to AVOID FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS.
Below are selected passages, bold, underline and italics, are mine.
“a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification”….
“And it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the favorite nation), facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country,”
“such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils.”
“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government….. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.”
“Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?”
“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world”
“nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded;” …
“The nation which indulges towards another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave”…
“It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest”….
“The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations, has been the victim.”
“The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible”…..
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