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The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize. 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; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion, that it can in any event be abandoned; 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...The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize. 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; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion, that it can in any event be abandoned; 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... You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes... I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.
George Washington
United States - September 17, 1796
Thank You Charles Mathias for acomplishing the virtue of your quote
"We will recognize the contributions of all Americans regardless of who they are from what corner of our society they come."
A Statesman: Charles Mathias
Song: The Water is Wide...
I was always so proud to have a Congressman and Senator as a relative. "Uncle Macky" will be missed by us raised down in Texas. - Weezie
I worked for Mac in the early eighties on the Senate Judiciary Committee. I have often invoked him in the last year, as a Republican who could effectively and sincerely work across party lines to achieve the people's business and transcend party rancor. Of course he famously paid the price for his independence. His work with Ted Kennedy on the Voting Rights Act and the Martin Luther King Day was particularly notable. He loved the Constitution, its history and meaning for all of us centuries down the road. I remember well his entering the Senate chamber with the Federalist Papers in his hand, ready to fight one of many court-stripping bills popular in the early Reagan years. He was a Great American, of a type unseen in present times.
Maura Whelan, Madison, Wisconsin
My sincerest condolences in the passing of Senator Mathias. My parent's respected the Senator so much that his portrait hung in our childhood home. He was a kind, respected, and intelligent man who stood for equality for all people. He greatly cared for the people of Maryland. His integrity and leadership will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this wonderful man. God bless him and God bless America.
Senator Mathias was one of the most respected and admired office holders of his time. He was a leader of vision, intellect, and compassion, a man who acted on his belief that public service is both a privilege and a responsibility. He fulfilled that responsibility with integrity and conviction, and his moral leadership set a standard all of us would do well to follow. My condolences to the family of Senator Mathias. They have lost a wonderful husband and father. The country has lost a truly honorable Senator.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Deepest sympathy to the Mathias family. The Senator was a great man who cared for people. He was very active in the civil rights movement and the chesapeake bay clean up project. You can be proud of the many accomplishments he made to society. I pray that your memories will sustain you through these trying times.
May GOD bless and strenghten you.
Jean Herndon
I'm a Marylander and took off from work today to watch "In celebration of and thanks giving for the life of Senator Charles Mathias Jr"
I grew up hearing about the Senator, but didn't know just how much of an impact he made until I got older. I was amazed.
.......A life well lived. A "LION" of the United States Senate. A "RENEGAGE" of the United States Senate. Whatever he's called......What a man of independent courage. Graceful without pretense, a man of basic human decency. His legacy may not resonate in all of us, but for some of us it does. For me his legacy is a beacon.
I'm a magnet for people of strength and courage to go against the tide for what's right.
My condolences to the family of such a great man.
May God Bless You All
Sen. Mathias was one of the very few great men I have known. He was always principled, always thoughtful and always open to new ideas. He was courageous in what he undertook and visionary in his perspective. I had the benefit of his openness when I proposed the outlandish idea that televised political advertising should be regulated to require for spot advertising that the purchaser of the ad or an identified spokesperson should speak to the camera for the duration of the ad. He gave me a hearing in his committee. Sopke for it at a conference I organized. His premise was "Why does the cost of campaigns keep going up and voter turnout go down." He, like myself, attributed it to the glut of attack advertising. We never got the idea passed into law, but it was not without his trying. I will always be grateful for his effort on this and on so many things I care deeply about.