In his farewell address, Washington tried to instill what it meant to be an American patriot and a member of a common nation. He warned against the influence of those who would try to take away those shared traits, both internally and externally: “But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth...and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.”[i] In that same speech, Washington warned against partisanship for deciding issues of the nation. He saw it as one of the internal enemies that would eventually split the nation apart: “It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.”[ii]
With his ending words, Washington stated that while some wars are unavoidable and it is necessary to be prepared for such occasions, it is more important to seek peace. In so doing, by not spending on unnecessary armament and war, debt can be reduced and fairness to all nations may be observed:
“In the evolution 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...Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest, in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate inducement or justification.”[iii]
Today more than ever, after two hundred years, his words still ring true. Unfortunately, they still fall on deaf ears. Look at Bosnia, the Middle East, or even Ireland. We face today a deficit, due largely to a massive buildup of armaments since the 1950s that will hopefully never be used. What a waste of time, energies, and money. We have policy dictated by what will win elections, not necessarily what is good for the country as a whole. Party platforms control such issues as abortion, healthcare, taxes, employment stability, etc. What Washington saw as a potential problem two hundred years ago has steadily become one. As a result, our nation has forgotten its fundamentals, its culture, and its history. We have not listened to our past.
Over the course of that two hundred year period, we have seen the growth of the United States into a world leader. The expense has been the growth of bitter factionalism and an attitude of “Us vs. Them.” We have become a world leader, and we should act like one. Leaders guide, control, and appease, with no favoritism. Leaders must command all men, not just the ones they choose. A leader is supposed to unite all, whether they like it or not, and end quarrelling among those they lead. There is more than one way to do this, and we have seen the results of some of those options. Shows of strength, brinkmanship, and even war have been used; apparently, those options do not work. Perhaps we should listen to Washington and try peace with all nations. Even if some nations will not reciprocate, we must continue our efforts. If no one tries, then nothing will change. As a world leader, this should be our mission. Otherwise, we are not a leader at all.
By 1896, the United States had established itself but still faced major obstacles. Slaves had been free for 30 years, but still shared no real freedoms; even worse was the lack of support for them from government. Legislation on their behalf is enacted but not enforced, thus causing the repression of freedoms granted to black citizens, mostly in the South. We find American Indians rounded up and placed on reservations. Although they are supposed to be autonomous, the Indian nations find their powers, land, etc, more and more lessened by an uncaring federal government. In pursuit of an American ideology known as “Manifest Destiny,” entire cultures were destroyed in the name of “national interest.” The United States saw an empty land with the potential for cultivation – failing to invite and include those already occupying the land, let alone ask permission.
We also find women fighting for their rights as women and as equal members of society. We find ourselves debating taxes, criticizing the Supreme Court, and investing in stopping foreign “aggression.” Moreover, in that election year of 1896 we find a third-party candidate raising a storm. He is the Populist candidate William Jennings Bryan. Conditions of the time have justified such a candidate to attempt a run at the Presidency. This is what T.S. Eliot meant when he wrote, “the historical sense involves a perception, not of only of the pastness of the past, but of its presence.” We must be aware of the past and what it can hold for the future. If we have no sense of ourselves, then we have no sense of our mission.
One hundred years after Washington left office, the nation was, according to the Populists, on: “the verge of moral, political, and material ruin...the urban workmen are denied the right to organize for self-protection, imported pauperized labor bents down their wages...fruits of the toil of millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes for a few...”[iv] One hundred years after the 1896 election, which William McKinley-(R) eventually won, we still face many of these issues. As then in this election year, we have a third-party candidate raising a storm. We live in a time when blacks are facing loss of their rights through loss of affirmative action and renewed aggression, women face debate over reproductive rights, and American Indians still reside on reservations. We face questions of taxes, mostly due to debt that Washington warned against, loss of jobs to immigrant labor – mostly illegal – and the further sputtering of the social classes.
A major issue this election year is the environment; but it is not the first time. Mining companies, loggers, and environmentalists have been fighting with each other since the mid-l9th century. While it was not a major issue of 1896, there was a concern over strip mining, deforestation, and extinction. That is why National Parks, National Forest, and Preserves were established. Apparently, though, even these issues have not resolved themselves, as we continue to debate over land usage, wildlife extinction due to habitat loss, etc. My answer to this, and I feel it dictates all other issues, is what good is preserving our own lives if there is nothing to admire? If we destroy the earth, we destroy ourselves; we have to have something left to live on and to enjoy. What good is camping if we cannot see any wildlife, trees, or even sleep under a clear sky?
Another issue that we face this election year also concerns preservation of life. It is when that life is no longer worth preserving that concerns us. What is life if the quality of it diminishes or we can no longer sustain ourselves? In my present state, I am healthy, strong, and ready for a fulfilling life. I could not think of taking my own life. What if that all changed, though? Suppose I could no longer get out of bed because the pain was too great or perhaps my respirator is not transportable. Perhaps then I would be willing to end it all; I would, like abortion, like to have that choice. Who are we to play God, if there is such a thing, though? Is that a part of the human test? A “kobiashimaru” with no right or wrong, but rather just a decision to make?
I am in that age group considered Generation X, but I do not consider myself a part of it. To most, it means slacker, uneducated, freak, etc. I am not apathetic, I am well educated, and I dress semi-normal. I know many people who are like me, but still fit in the GenX category. Perhaps I just do not understand what it means to be GenX, maybe I am too idealistic. As for my GenX peers, they have become realist. The problem stems from their realization that the odds are so stacked against them, that they have become unmotivated and disillusioned. We can blame the “baby boomers” who now control the country; but that would just be a quick-fix solution of shifting the responsibility. The problem is beyond their control; it will take more than one generation to fix it. This means that our generation and the ones following need to pitch in. The blame comes from two hundred years of generations who messed up and did not pay attention to history. As Cicero said, “To be ignorant of what happened before you were born is to be ever a child.” If we had spent the time and money we used to send the armies of the world to war, so many problems we face today would not exist: research for medicine, not biological warfare; providing adequate education and healthcare, both which are diminishing due to loss of wages and deficit spending; money to preserve our environment instead of weapons that most effectively kills the most people and destroys the most land.
This is a critical period in United States history, as well as for the world. Our decisions this election year will not only affect us, but the whole world. When we go to the polls, we stand for the fundamental right our freedom grants: choice. If we do not participate, we forfeit our choice. There are those who fight and die for what we have, and yet we take it for granted. In this election year, the future of the United States and the world will be chosen. Will we make the new millennium a new chapter in the story of human events, or will we stay stagnant and continue on our present course? This is our time to make a difference; if we do not, we forfeit our future. Fifty years from now, I will be able to state that “at least I tried, it might have failed, but at least I tried” or simply “we won.” How many of you will be able to say that? How many of you would give their lives to just to be able to go back and make that difference if the future did not turn out as planned? Well by then it will be too late; but it is not too late now. It is critical that we make the right choice today, now. It is a fifty-fifty shot, a blind future, like most things in life. The difference is in exercising that choice right or wrong, because it may never come again. The choice made is a stand for future, a message sent that says, “I care.” Make that choice count.
©1996 Steve Sagarra
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[i] George Washington, “Farewell Address,” 1796.
[ii] Washington, “Farewell Address.”
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Preamble, Populist Party Platform, 1892.
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