"There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, within certain limits, is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favour, upon the spirit of party: but, in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."
by:
George Washington
(1732-1799) Founding Father, 1st US President, 'Father of the Country'
Source:
George Washington's Farewell Address, September 17, 1796
http://libertytree.ca/articles/George.Washingtons.Farewell.Address
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Reader comments about this quote:
A poignant counterpoint to the tenets of the Theory of Evolution.

An incontrovertible verity, exquisitely elegantly expressed by the American Colossus who was George Washington.
 -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill     
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    Excellent!  Party politics is what leads to an unlimited democracy of arbitrary rule.  "A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    " In governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged." 
    " The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different nations and countries has perpetuated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of the individual." George Washington's Farewell Address

    Verity in the broadest scope, well suited in calling out today's despotic bias within ranks of government. In support of Divine Providence and President Trump's Resolve unprecedented, along with Well informed loyal Patriots, the opportunity to Right our Ship of State in a swamp of corruption is at hand to/for this generation. A very seasonable awakening indeed.
     -- Ronw13, Yachats OR     
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     -- Ronw13, Yachats OR      
    The question may be asked in a representative republic of individual sovereign rights, what purpose does such "party(s)" provide? The only legitimate question in such organizational body of servants could be  how best to enhance and protect through administration ordering those natural law inalienable rights. The "party" system almost uniquely provides alternative political forms antithetical to a representative republic of individual sovereign rights. By way of example, in the current land mass recognized as the U.S.A., the original liberty and rights, checks and balances have been made void most generally by the two party system. The current parties are two ends of a socialist stick  communist and fascist (having little to nothing to do with liberty or inalienable rights).
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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     -- Abby      
     
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