Washington’s Post
Washington’s Post
This government,
the offspring of our own choice,
uninfluenced and unawed,
the support of your tranquility at home,
your peace abroad,
of that very liberty
which you so highly prize,
(Experience in my own eyes)
you have in a common cause fought and triumphed together,
will not exercise more charity in deciding on the opinions,
and actions of one another.
One of the most baneful foes of republican government,
brought to the verge of dissolution due to diversity of Sentiments.
Lifted them to unjust dominion,
will, if there is not a change in the system,
be our downfall as a Nation.
With the real design to direct, control,
counteract, or awe,
to confine each member of the society
within the limits prescribed by the laws,
The powers of the Executive
of the United States are more definite,
and better understood,
to guard
the public good.
— George Washington (edited by zumwalt)
zumwalt’s notes:
Phrases from first and fourth stanzas are from Farewell Address (1796).
Phrases from second stanza are from Farewell Address and Letter to 1792 Alexander Hamilton.
Phrases from third stanza from a letter written in 1783.
Phrases from fifth stanza is from a letter written in 1794.
Sixth and final stanza is from the 1790 Address to Congress.
This poem was awarded third place (bronze) in a 2025 allpoetry.com contest: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2879139–Paid-members–Win–50:-Found-Poem
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