乔治?华盛顿(George Washington,1732—1799),1775年至1783年任美国独立战争大陆军(Continental Army)总司令,美国第1任总统(任期:1789—1797)。华盛顿早年在法国印第安人战争(French and Indian War)中曾担任支持大英帝国一方的殖民军军官。之后在美国独立战争中率领大陆军赢得美国独立。1787年他主持了制宪会议,制定了现在的美国宪法,并在1789年经过全体选举团无异议的支持而成为美国第1任总统。他在两届的任期中设立了许多持续到今天的政策和传统。在两届任期结束后,他自愿放弃权力不再续任,因此建立了美国历史上总统不超过两任的传统。由于他在美国独立战争和建国中扮演了最重要的角色,华盛顿通常被称为“美国国父”。历史学家和政治学家们一致认为,华盛顿与罗斯福、林肯是美国历史上最伟大的三位总统。
The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant,and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust,it appears to me proper,especially as it may conduce1 to a more distinct expression of the public voice,that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.
In looking forward to the moment,which is intended to terminate2 the career of my public life,my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude,which I owe to my beloved country for the many honors it has conferred upon me; still more for the steadfast3 confidence with which it has supported me; and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting4 my inviolable5 attachment,by services faithful and persevering,though in usefulness unequal to my zeal6.If benefits have resulted to our country from these services,let it always be remembered to your praise,and as an instructive example in our annals,that under circumstances in which the passions,agitated in every direction,were liable to mislead,amidst appearances sometimes dubious7,vicissitudes8 of fortune often discouraging,in situations in which not infrequently want of success has countenanced9 the spirit of criticism,the constancy of your support was the essential prop of the efforts,and a guarantee of the plans by which they were affected.Profoundly penetrated with this idea,I shall carry it with me to my grave,as a strong incitement10 to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you the choicest11 tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free constitution,which is the work of your hands,may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; that,in fine,the happiness of the people of these States,under the auspices12 of liberty,may be made complete,by so careful a preservation and so prudent13 a use of this blessing,as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause,the affection,and adoption of every nation,which is yet a stranger to it.
Here,perhaps I ought to stop.But a solicitude14 for your welfare which cannot end but with my life,and the apprehension of danger,natural to that solicitude,urge me,on an occasion like the present,to offer to your solemn contemplation,and to recommend to your frequent review,some sentiments which are the result of much reflection,of no inconsiderable observation,and which appear to me all important to the permanency of your felicity15 as a people.
The unity of Government,which constitutes you one people,is also now dear to you.It is justly so; for it is a main pillar16 in the edifice17 of your real independence,the support of your tranquility18 at home,your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty,which you so highly prize.But as it is easy to foresee,that,from different causes and from different quarters,much pains will be taken,many artifices19 employed,to weaken in your minds the conviction20 of this truth; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly21 and insidiously) directed,it is of infinite moment,that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial22,habitual,and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium23 of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion,that it can in any event be aba
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