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What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious.

George Washington

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George Washington
Age: 67 †
Born: 1732
Born: February 22
Died: 1799
Died: December 14
1St U.S. President
Cartographer
Engineer
Farmer
Land Surveyor
Military Officer
Politician
Slaveholder
Statesperson
Westmoreland County
Virginia
Washington
President Washington
G. Washington
Father of the United States
The American Fabius
Find
Triumph
Ideal
Fallacious
Basis
Advocates
Bases
Despotism
Ideals
Governing
Merely
Founded
Equal
Incapable
Liberty
Systems

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It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.
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Impressed with a conviction that the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good Government, I have considered the first arrangement of the Judicial department as essential to the happiness of our Country, and to the stability of its political system.
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I never mean, unless some particular circumstances should compel it, to possess another slave by purchase, it being among my first wishes to see some plan adopted, by which slavery in this country may be abolished by law.
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The nation which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an 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.
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To constitute a dispute there must be two parties. To understand it well, both parties and all the circumstances must be fully heard and to accommodate the differences, temper and mutual forbearance are requisite.
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Even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror.
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A hundred thousand men, coming one after another, cannot move a Ton weight but the united strength of 50 would transport it with ease.
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I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.
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The business being thus closed . . . dined together and took a cordial leave of each other After which I returned to my lodgings, did some business with and received the papers from the secretary of the Convention, and retired to meditate on the momentous work which had been executed.
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I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.
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Let me ... warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party.
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[The adoption of the Constitution] will demonstrate as visibly the finger of Providence as any possible event in the course of human affairs can ever designate it.
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