HISTORIC SPEECHES
GEORGE WASHINGTON
Newburgh Address
March
15, 1783
Gentlemen: By an anonymous summons, an attempt has been
made to convene you together; how inconsistent with the
rules of propriety! how unmilitary! and how subversive
of all order and discipline, let the good sense of the
Army decide.
In the moment of this
Summons, another anonymous production was sent into circulation,
addressed more to the feelings and passions, than to
the reason and judgment of the Army. The author of the
piece, is entitled to much credit for the goodness of
his Pen and I could wish he had as much credit for the
rectitude of his Heart, for, as Men see thro’ different
Optics, and are induced by the reflecting faculties of
the Mind, to use different means, to attain the same
end, the Author of the Address, should have had more
charity, than to mark for Suspicion, the Man who should
recommend moderation and longer forbearance, or, in other
words, who should not think as he thinks, and act as he
advises. But he had another plan in view, in which candor
and liberality of Sentiment, regard to justice, and love
of Country, have no part; and he was right, to insinuate
the darkest suspicion, to effect the blackest designs.
That the Address is
drawn with great Art, and is designed to answer the most
insidious purposes. That it is calculated to impress
the Mind, with an idea of premeditated injustice in the
Sovereign power of the United States, and rouse all those
resentments which must unavoidably flow from such a belief.
That the secret mover of this Scheme (whoever he may
be) intended to take advantage of the passions, while
they were warmed by the recollection of past distresses,
without giving time for cool, deliberative thinking, and
that composure of Mind which is so necessary to give dignity
and stability to measures is rendered too obvious, by the
mode of conducting the business, to need other proof than
a reference to the proceeding.
Thus much, Gentlemen, I have thought it incumbent on me
to observe to you, to shew upon what principles I opposed
the irregular and hasty meeting which was proposed to have
been held on Tuesday last: and not because I wanted a disposition
to give you every opportunity consistent with your own
honor, and the dignity of the army, to make known your
grievances. If my conduct heretofore, has not evinced to
you, that I have been a faithful friend to the Army, my
declaration of it at this moment wd. be equally unavailing
and improper. But as I was among the first who embarked
in the cause of our common Country. As I have never left
your side one moment, but when called from you on public
duty. As I have been the constant companion and witness
of your Distresses, and not among the last to feel, and
acknowledge your Merits. As I have ever considered my own
Military reputation as inseparably connected with that
of the Army. As my Heart has ever expanded with joy, when
I have heard its praises, and my indignation has arisen,
when the mouth of detraction has been opened against it,
it can scarcely be supposed, at this late stage of the
War, that I am indifferent to its interests. But, hoe are
they to be promoted? The way is plain, says the anonymous
Addresser. If War continues, remove into the unsettled
Country; there establish yourselves, and leave an ungrateful
Country to defend itself. But how are they to defend? Our
Wives, our Children, our Farms, and other property which
we leave behind us. Or, in this state of hostile separation,
are we to take the two first (the latter cannot be removed),
to perish in a Wilderness, with hunger, cold and nakedness?
If Peace takes place, never sheath your Swords Says he
until you have obtained full and ample justice; this dreadful
alternative, of either deserting our Country in the extremest
hour of her distress, or turning our Arms against it, (which
is the apparent object, unless Congress can be compelled
into instant compliance) has something so shocking in it,
that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! What can this
writer have in view, by recommending such measures? Can
he be a friend to the Army? Can he be a friend to this
Country? Rather, is he not an insidious Foe? Some Emissary,
perhaps from New York, plotting the ruin of both, by sowing
the seeds of discord and separation between the Civil and
Military powers of the Continent? And what a Compliment
does he pay to our understandings, when he recommends measures
in either alternative, impracticable in their Nature?
But here, Gentlemen,
I will drop the curtain, because it wd. be as imprudent
in me to assign my reasons for this opinion, as it would
be insulting to your conception, to suppose you stood
in need of them. A moment’s reflection
will convince every dispassionate Mind of the physical
impossibility of carrying either proposal into execution.
There might, Gentlemen, be an impropriety in my taking
notice, in this Address to you, of an anonymous production,
but the manner in which that performance has been introduced
to the army, the effect it was intended to have, together
with some other circumstances, will amply justify my observations
on the tendency of that Writing. With respect to the advice
given by the Author, to suspect the Man, who shall recommend
moderate measures and longer forbearance, I spurn it, as
every Man, who regards liberty, and reveres that justice
for which we contend, undoubtedly must; for if Men are
to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter,
which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences,
that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is
of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away,
and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.
I cannot, in justice
to my own belief, and what I have great reason to conceive
is the intention of Congress, conclude this Address,
without giving it as my decided opinion, that that Honorable
Body, entertain exalted sentiments of the Services of
the Army; and, from a full conviction of its merits and
sufferings, will do it complete justice. That their endeavors,
to discover and establish funds for this purpose, have
been unwearied, and will not cease, till they have succeed,
I have not a doubt. But, like all other large Bodies,
where there is a variety of different Interests to reconcile,
their deliberations are slow. Why then should we distrust
them? and, in consequence of that distrust, adopt measures,
which may cast a shade over that glory which, has been
so justly acquired; and tarnish the reputation of an
Army which is celebrated thro’ all
Europe, for its fortitude and Patriotism? and for what
is this done? to bring the object we seek nearer? No! most
certainly, in my opinion, it will cast it at a greater
distance.
For myself (and I take no merit in giving the assurance,
being induced to it from principles of gratitude, veracity
and justice), a grateful sense of the confidence you have
ever placed in me, a recollection of the cheerful assistance,
and prompt obedience I have experienced from you, under
every vicissitude of Fortune, and the sincere affection
I feel for an Army, I have so long had the honor to Command,
will oblige me to declare, in this public and solemn manner,
that, in the attainment of complete justice for all your
toils and dangers, and in the gratification of every wish,
so far as may be done consistently with the great duty
I owe my Country, and those powers we are bound to respect,
you may freely command my Services to the utmost of my
abilities.
While I give you these
assurances, and pledge myself in the most unequivocal
manner, to exert whatever ability I am possessed of,
in your favor, let me entreat you, Gentlemen, on your
part, not to take any measures, which viewed in the calm
light of reason, will lessen the dignity, and sully the
glory you have hitherto maintained; let me request you
to rely on the plighted faith of your Country, and place
a full confidence in the purity of the intentions of
Congress; that, previous to your dissolution as an Army
they will cause all your Acts. to be fairly liquidated,
as directed in their resolutions, which were published
to you two days ago, and that they will adopt the most
effectual measures in their power, to render ample justice
to you, for your faithful and meritorious Services. And
let me conjure you, in the name of our common Country,
as you value your own sacred honor, as you respect the
rights of humanity, and as you regard the Military and
National character of America, to express your utmost horror
and detestation of the Man who wishes, under any specious
pretences, to overturn the liberties of our Country, and
who wickedly attempts to open the flood Gates of Civil
discord, and deluge our rising Empire in Blood. By thus
determining, and thus acting, you will pursue the plain
and direct road to the attainment of your wishes. You will
defeat the insidious designs of our Enemies, who are compelled
to resort from open force to secret Artifice. You will
give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism
and patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of
the most complicated sufferings; And you will, by the dignity
of your Conduct, afford occasion of Posterity to say, when
speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to
Mankind, “had this day been wanting, the World had
never seen the last stage of perfection to which human
nature is capable of attaining.”
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