We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all maters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.
George WashingtonDemocratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.
George WashingtonI walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.
George Washington[M]y wish is, that the Convention may adopt no temporizing expedient, but probe the defects of the Constitution [i.e., the Articles of Confederation] to the bottom, and provide radical cures.
George WashingtonNo country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass.
George Washington