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From President George Washington's Farewell Address — 1796
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The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are
sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage
and restrain it.
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It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble
the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles
the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign
influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions.
Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.
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There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful
checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits
is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the
spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit
not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every
salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public
opinion, to mitigate and assuage it.
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He wrote that 214 year ago. It seems
to be prophetic. A very wise man for the ages. President Washington is the only President not to belong to
a Political Party.
Countdown to "We the People Judgment Day
II" The sequel, 'Return of the Patriots' November 6, 2012
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