A Sacred Union of Citizens: George Washington's Farewell Address and the American CharacterRowman & Littlefield, 1996 - 216 pages On the two-hundredth anniversary of George Washington's 1796 Farewell Address - one of the most influential but misunderstood expressions of American political thought - this book places the Address in the full context of American history and explains its enduring relevance for the next century. Generations of American political leaders have invoked the authority of the Address to shape foreign and domestic policy. With discussions about national character and personal responsibility dominating the current political landscape, there has been a resurgence of interest in the character of the nation's founders, particularly Washington's. The authors show how the Address expressed Washington's ideas for forming a national character that would cultivate the habits, morals, and civic virtues essential for stable republican self-government. An insightful and provocative analysis of the past, present, and future of American democracy and its most important citizen, this book will be of value to anyone concerned about the current state of American citizenship and the future role of the federal government. |
From inside the book
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Page 141
... public opinion was everything in a popu- lar government , and that the ability to affect that opinion was even more important than passing laws ; it made the passage and enforcement of laws possible . Scholars have long noted that ...
... public opinion was everything in a popu- lar government , and that the ability to affect that opinion was even more important than passing laws ; it made the passage and enforcement of laws possible . Scholars have long noted that ...
Page 172
... public opinion in defining the American character . Since Washington's time , we have discovered that most of the time political parties can act usefully to break the violence of faction and thereby to increase the possibility of ...
... public opinion in defining the American character . Since Washington's time , we have discovered that most of the time political parties can act usefully to break the violence of faction and thereby to increase the possibility of ...
Page 185
... public opinion , or a laudable zeal for public good , the base or foolish compliances of ambition , corruption or infatuation . 33. As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways , such attach- ments are particularly alarming to ...
... public opinion , or a laudable zeal for public good , the base or foolish compliances of ambition , corruption or infatuation . 33. As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways , such attach- ments are particularly alarming to ...
Contents
Remembering Washingtons Legacy | 1 |
Establishing the National Character | 9 |
Friends and Fellow Citizens | 45 |
Copyright | |
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affairs Alexander Hamilton alliances American character American foreign policy American political April argued army Britain British cause Circular Address command commercial common Congress Constitution defense dispositions domestic draft duty Edmund Randolph essential establish Europe European faction Federalist Federalist Papers France French Revolution George Washington Gouverneur Morris happiness human Inaugural Address independence ington interest James Madison January Jay Treaty John Quincy Adams justice Lafayette laws liberty Lincoln mankind Marquis de Lafayette ment military mind Monroe moral national character necessary neutrality Paltsits Papers of Hamilton party passions patriotism peace popular president principles proper public opinion reflected religion republican republican government retirement Senate sense sentiments spirit Thomas Jefferson tion ton's Treaty Truman Union United University Press Virginia virtue Washington believed Washington to Gouverneur Washington to Marquis Washington told Washington wrote Washington's Farewell Address Writings of Washing Writings of Washington York