华盛顿《告别词》Word文档下载推荐.docx
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TheperiodforanewelectionofaCitizen,toAdministertheExecutivegovernmentoftheUnitedStates,beingnotfardistant,andthetimeactuallyarrived,whenyourthoughtsmustbeemployedindesignatingtheperson,whoistobecloathedwiththatimportanttrust,itappearstomeproper,especiallyasitmayconducetoamoredistinctexpressionofthepublicvoice,thatIshouldnowappriseyouoftheresolutionIhaveformed,todeclinebeingconsideredamongthenumberofthose,outofwhomachoiceistobemade.
Ibegyou,atthesametime,todomethejusticetobeassured,thatthisresolutionhasnotbeentaken,withoutastrictregardtoalltheconsiderationsappertainingtotherelation,whichbindsadutifulCitizentohiscountry--andthat,inwithdrawingthetenderofservicewhichsilenceinmySituationmightimply,Iaminfluencedbynodiminutionofzealforyourfutureinterest,nodeficiencyofgratefulrespectforyourpastkindness;
butamsupportedbyafullconvictionthatthestepiscompatiblewithboth.
Theacceptanceof,&
continuancehithertoin,theOfficetowhichyourSuffrageshavetwicecalledme,havebeenauniformsacrificeofinclinationtotheopinionofduty,andtoadeferenceforwhatappearedtobeyourdesire.Iconstantlyhoped,thatitwouldhavebeenmuchearlierinmypower,consistentlywithmotives,whichIwasnotatlibertytodisregard,toreturntothatretirement,fromwhichIhadbeenreluctantlydrawn.Thestrengthofmyinclinationtodothis,previoustothelastElection,hadevenledtothepreparationofanaddresstodeclareittoyou;
butmaturereflectiononthethenperplexed&
criticalpostureofourAffairswithforeignnations,andtheunanimousadviceofpersonsentitledtomyconfidence,impelledmetoabandontheidea.
Irejoice,thatthestateofyourconcerns,externalaswellasinternal,nolongerrendersthepursuitofinclinationincompatiblewiththesentimentofduty,orpropriety;
&
ampersuadedwhateverpartialitymayberetainedformyservices,thatinthepresentcircumstancesofourcountry,youwillnotdisapprovemydeterminationtoretire.
Theimpressions,withwhich,Ifirstundertookthearduoustrust,wereexplainedontheproperoccasion.Inthedischargeofthistrust,Iwillonlysay,thatIhave,withgoodintentions,contributedtowardstheOrganizationandAdministrationofthegovernment,thebestexertionsofwhichaveryfalliblejudgmentwascapable.Notunconscious,intheoutset,oftheinferiorityofmyqualifications,experienceinmyowneyes,perhapsstillmoreintheeyesofothers,hasstrengthnedthemotivestodiffidenceofmyself;
andeverydaytheencreasingweightofyearsadmonishesmemoreandmore,thattheshadeofretirementisasnecessarytomeasitwillbewelcome.Satisfiedthatifanycircumstanceshavegivenpeculiarvaluetomyservices,theyweretemporary,Ihavetheconsolationtobelieve,thatwhilechoiceandprudenceinvitemetoquitthepoliticalscene,patriotizmdoesnotforbidit.
Inlookingforwardtothemoment,whichisintendedtoterminatethecareerofmypubliclife,myfeelingsdonotpermitmetosuspendthedeepacknowledgmentofthatdebtofgratitudewchIowetomybelovedcountry,forthemanyhonorsithasconferreduponme;
stillmoreforthestedfastconfidencewithwhichithassupportedme;
andfortheopportunitiesIhavethenceenjoyedofmanifestingmyinviolableattachment,byservicesfaithful&
persevering,thoughinusefulnessunequaltomyzeal.Ifbenefitshaveresultedtoourcountryfromtheseservices,letitalwaysberememberedtoyourpraise,andasaninstructiveexampleinourannals,that,undercircumstancesinwhichthePassionsagitatedineverydirectionwereliabletomislead,amidstappearancessometimesdubious,viscissitudesoffortuneoftendiscouraging,insituationsinwhichnotunfrequentlywantofSuccesshascountenancedthespiritofcriticism,theconstancyofyoursupportwastheessentialpropoftheefforts,andaguaranteeoftheplansbywhichtheywereeffected.Profoundlypenetratedwiththisidea,Ishallcarryitwithmetomygrave,asastrongincitementtounceasingvowsthatHeavenmaycontinuetoyouthechoicesttokensofitsbeneficence--thatyourUnion&
brotherlyaffectionmaybeperpetual--thatthefreeconstitution,whichistheworkofyourhands,maybesacredlymaintained--thatitsAdministrationineverydepartmentmaybestampedwithwisdomandVirtue--that,infine,thehappinessofthepeopleoftheseStates,undertheauspicesofliberty,maybemadecomplete,bysocarefulapreservationandsoprudentauseofthisblessingaswillacquiretothemthegloryofrecommendingittotheapplause,theaffection--andadoptionofeverynationwhichisyetastrangert