Welcome to Call to Decision 

 American Minute with Bill Federer

 September 19

 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolken tells of man's lust for "the
 ring of power."

 George Washington had that power and twice gave it up.

 When King George III asked American-born painter Benjamin West what
 Washington planned to do now that he had won the war, West replied

 "They say he will return to his farm."

 King George said

 "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."

 Washington later served as President and again returned to his farm,
 similar to Roman leader Cincinnatus, who twice led Rome's Republic to
 victory in battle then returned to farming.

 On SEPTEMBER 19, 1796, the world stood in awe as President George
 Washington delivered his Farewell Address, stating:

 "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political
 prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.

 In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should
 labor to subvert these great Pillars...

 Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be
 maintained without religion."

 George Washington continued:

 "Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national
 morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle...

 Morality is a necessary spring of popular government...

 Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon
 attempts to shake the foundation?"

 ___
 George Washington continued warning in his Farewell Address:

 And of fatal tendency...to put, in the place of the delegated will of
 the Nation, the will of a party; - often a small but artful and
 enterprising minority...

 They are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent
 engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be
 enabled to subvert the Power of the People and to usurp for the
 themselves the reins of Government;

 destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to
 unjust dominion...

 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 an
 Individual... turns this disposition to the purposes of his own
 elevation, on the ruins of Public
 Liberty...

 The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the
 departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of
 government, a real despotism...

 Let there be no change by usurpation...It is the customary weapon by
 which free governments are destroyed.