refined education on minds
of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect
that national morality can prevail, in exclusion of religious
principle."

We might fill many pages with similar quotations from his writings, but
must forbear.

He was urged strongly to serve his country a third presidential term,
but he resolutely declined. Retiring from public service, he left a
remarkable farewell address to the people of the United States, which is
here given in full. Every American boy who has patriot blood in his
veins will delight in being familiar with its every thought and precept.

FAREWELL ADDRESS.

FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:

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 conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice,
that I should now apprize 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. I beg you, at the same time, to do
me the justice to be assured that this resolution has not been
taken without a strict regard to all the considerations
appertaining to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to
his country; and that, in withdrawing the tender of service,
which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no
diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of
grateful respect for your past kindness, but am supported by a
full conviction that the step is compatible with both.

2. The acceptance of and continuance hitherto in the office to
which your sufferages have twice called me, have been a uniform
sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a
deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly
hoped that it would have been much earlier in my power,
consistently with motives which I was not at liberty to
disregard, to return to that retirement from which I have been
reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this,
previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation
of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the
then perplexed and cri