Friday, June 06, 2008

Libs

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages, which might be lost by a steady adherence to it ? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its Virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices ?

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential, than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular Nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. 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. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests. The Nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the Government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The Government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of Nations has been the victim.

1 comment:

Red A said...

Do you think this was meant to be more than just a general warning, that in his times he meant a specific instance, like say US-Britain relations or US-French relations?

"Such an attachment of a small or weak towards a great and powerful nation dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter."

Could he have been worried about the new US becoming a satellite to some European power, or were we already then a great and powerful nation?

I also wonder what he means by "habitual." At what point do things become "habits" - US fighting with UK as an ally for close to 100 years? US helping Israel for 60 years? US 'habitually' hating France for 100 years. Iran for 30 years? (and I wonder if he'd be all keen to define that as habitual hatred - a habit seems like you do something without any reason beyond the fact that you have done so before.)

But its does get you thinking a bit outside the box.