The great rule of conduct for us [he says] in regard to foreign Nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little Political connection as possible.  So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith.  Here let us stop.

Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation.  Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns.  Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, ... or enmities.

Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course.  If we remain one People, under an efficient government, the period is not far off, when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected.  When belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation when we may choose peace or war, as our interest guided by justice shall counsel.

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation?  Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground?  Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humour or caprice?

Compared with Machiavelli’s “Prince,” which must come to the mind of every one who reads the “Farewell Address,” one sees at once that the “Prince” is more limber, it may be more spontaneous, but the great difference between the two is in their fundamental conception.  The “Address” is frankly a preachment and much of its impressiveness comes from that fact.  The “Prince,” on the other hand, has little concern with the moral aspect of politics discussed and makes no pretence of condemning immoral practices or making itself a champion of virtue.  In other words, Washington addresses an audience which had passed through the Puritan Revolution, while Machiavelli spoke to men who were familiar with the ideals and crimes of the Italian Renaissance.

Washington spread his gospel so clearly that all persons were sure to learn and inwardly digest it, and many of them assented to it in their minds, although they did not follow it In their conduct.  His paramount exhortations—­“Be united”—­“Be Americans”; “do not be drawn into complications with foreign powers”—­at times had a very real living pertinence.  The only doctrine which still causes controversy is that which touches our attitude towards foreign countries.  During the late World War we heard it revived, and a great many persons who had never read the “Farewell Address” gravely reminded us of Washington’s warning against “entangling alliances.”