Today we continue our series examining our Founding Fathers in their own words and considering their high esteem for religion, religious liberty, and virtue.

Below is an excerpt from some of the writings of  George Washington, taken from a letter written to Alexander Hamilton, dated May 15, 1796.

“Cherish good faith, justice, and peace, with other nations:

1. Because religion and morality dictate it.

2. Because policy dictates it.

If these could exist, a nation invariably honest and faithful, the benefits would be immense.”

1 Comment

  1. Bob Coleman

    our abbreviated quote conveys a slanted meaning to Washington’s words, making hims sound more favored toward religion than he really was. The text below is provided for your review.

    “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?” – Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

    Read more: http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/famous-quotes-by-george-washington.html#ixzz24nZW1J4H

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