Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.
The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize.
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The year is 1796, there’s a problem with how facebook reads blog post titles.
A modern English verison of the address would be great. He has some sentences that are in excess of 100 words. This would open the door for new generations to appreciate the address.
Washington’s Farewell Address is just as timely today as it was back then. Every American should read this!
Beware of entangling alliances!
DENNIS LAUVER: Why would one want to change someones words…That is the trouble today. Once they can do that, by the time they are done, you would not recognize who said them.
Our Declaration of Independence is an example…There are those who want to CHANGE it also.. ALL my grandchildren have read words by Samual Adams, Ben Franklin and I heard nothing from them that they could not understand what was written so long ago…….Their ages are 8 thru 11.. Just saying…….
Or we can teach the children linguistics and they can find the deep structure to understand any language’s surface structure, even dialects. I remember being elated when I learned to do this…unlocking the key to language, any language..even African languages. All we need is teachers who have a real desire to teach for the love of teaching. Parents who have a choice about where to send their children to school, pay for the schools out of their pockets, and we look at children as individuals and for who they are, not as a bunch of cookie cutter robots in a communist society as we have been for all these years.
Sadly Dennis has a point. The public schools have done such a poor job (in general) that unless we dumb down historical documents most young people will never read them.
Yes, I think you are right. Our educational sytem is in a very sad state today.
I really can’t agree……….It is the schools JOB to teach…Not to coddle our children….Why was it NOT hard for my generation to comprehend what was being said….IF a teacher is taking their time to TEACH then there should be zero issue….Should we now change the words of Holy Books so this generation can understand?
Dennis, I see your point, having had to wade through The Canterbury Tales AND many a Shakespeare play, however, the beauty of reading the words as originally written is part of exercise of reading…surely our children today are able to comprehend that which was written 200 years ago.
Great words which are timeless for every generation of Americans.
As far as “children not reading” books such as written, you said we should “dumb down”…Why? I STRONGLY believe these kids are able to comprehend ANYTHING that is TAUGHT to them as long as it is TAUGHT….I had books I HATED, but, I KNEW I had to do it…It is called REQUIRED READING……Not read? Failed grade was the reward.. To many people think we should coddle instead of giving them the tools they will need later in life……..Just saying
The General set the precedents for great leadership. Oh and by the way, he was highly anti-partisan and understood well that rabid partisanship could destroy this nation.
for a full read http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/senate/farewell/sd106-21.pdf … I purchased a copy of the address issued I believe on the 25th anniversary of it being given. A worthy read.
especially take note of page 14 where Washington speaks of the danger of political parties.
thanks michael and jon, i was about to post the same. the entire thing is well worth a read. maybe one of the most important early speeches and one most people have never read.
May I ask… Was the wording changed to suit those who needed to “dumb down”…
“Yes we can” LOL… We sure have come a long way…!
One of my favorites!
Kathy, it is one of the least read pieces of work, and certainly one of the most timely and timelss.
Unless you read ancient Hebrew and know where to find a copy, you won’t be reading anything close to the original Bible. Most available forms of ancient texts are some sort of translation.
We have trouble reading this, because we have been dumbed down. I think new generations should learn real English, instead of our watered down shortened version that we TEACH in schools.
And yes, you would need to read ancient Greek in order to decipher an original Christian/New Testament Bible. I use this simply as an example of how texts are moved through history and languages. The same applies for all ancient works. A critical reader will approach any historical work, this speech by Washington included, with a critical and discerning mind.
Are some readers afraid of “thinking & learning” about our great leaders. Life IS a challenge to make us go beyond just today. That makes life beautiful. Learning is a gift to be treasured.
I am beginning to shred the liberal education I have had. I now know that Hamilton was our enemy in his support of federal govt and Jefferson was our champion to support the individual
Thanks Dan. I learn everyday. Lots of translations to get to its present form.