History: The Year is 1796

I've uploaded year 1796 to the TSP Wiki...

http://tspwiki.com/index.php?title=1796

Here are some one liners...


George Washington's Farewell Address -- He warns of the Military-Industrial complex... or maybe that was Eisenhower.

In Other News -- Macrobiotics, the first prisoner of war camp and Napoleon is kicking butt in Italy.

George Washington's Farewell Address

President George Washington had his Farewell Address ready a long time ago, but he was convinced to take one more term as President. The nation needed time to stabilize. As his second term comes to an end, he offers advice and a warning not to consolidate the powers of government. The powers are kept separate because, with the best of intentions, close alliances and friendships will lead to despotism every time. That same rule applies to foreign friendships, favoring one nation over another. It is a subtle seduction that creates enemies amongst nations not favored and would force America to support another nation's interests when it might not serve America's own. As the war on religion rages in France, he reminds Americans that all religions are different shades of the same principles that should guide government. Finally, he begs God's forgiveness and the nation's indulgence for his mistakes: ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. -- George Washington (1796) ^[4]

My Take by Alex Shrugged
George Washington also warned against government debt (oops!) and building too large a military establishment. That warning reminded me of President Eisenhower's Farewell Address of 1961. We owe that man so much. He warns of the military-industrial complex which is the military bureaucracy coupled with the arms industry. We need their services but we should not take council of their fears. We must verify what they tell us because every concession made for our safety, erodes our freedom. FYI, here is the quote from Eisenhower's Farewell address and a link to an edited version on YouTube [Eisenhower Video Clip] ...

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together. ^[5]

In Other News

• Macrobiotics, or The Art to Prolong One's Life: Christoph Hufeland coins the word "Macrobiotic". He is given a professorship at Jena college in Germany. Out of the 900 students enrolled at the college, 500 attend his class. ^{[6] [7]}

• The first prisoner-of-war camp: Great Britain has taken a lot of prisoners in its war against France, so they build a prisoner complex to hold them all, the first of its kind. ^[8]

• Napoleon is kicking Italy's backside. The General has married Josephine which has helped him politically. He is in his 20s but he is appointed commander-in-chief of the French forces in Italy. He is a ball of fire... and he loves Josephine... but not her little dog. It bites. ^{[1] [9]}

This Year in Wikipedia

Year 1796, Wikipedia.