［背景简介］：乔治·华盛顿（George Washington 1732—1799），美国第一任总统，1789年在美国总统第一次大选中当选为第一任总统，1792年又获连任。1797年3月，华盛顿推辞担任第三任总统，退休回到庄园。本文为华盛顿退休前于1796年9月17日发表的演说。
I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state，with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations．Let me now take a more comprehensive view，and warn you in most solemn manner againstthe banefuleffects ofthe spiritof party，generally．
This spirit，unfortunately，is inseparable from our nature，having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind．It exists under different shapes in all governments，more or less stifled，controlled，or op- pressed；but，in those ofthe popular form，itis seen in its GREatestrankness，and is truly their worstenemy．
The alternate domination of one faction over another，sharpened by the spirit of revenge，natural to party dissension，which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the mosthorrid enormities，is itselfa frightful despotism．Butthis leads atlength to a more formaland permanent despotism．The disorders and miseries， which result，gradually incline the minds ofmen to seek security and repost in the absolute power of an individual；and sooner of later the chief of some prevailing faction，more able or more fortunate than his competitors，turns this disposition to the purposes of his ownelevation，on the ruins ofpublic liberty．
Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind，（which nevertheless oughtnotto be entirely out of sight，）the common and continual mischief of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty ofa wise people to discourage and restrain it．
It serves always to distract the public councils， and enfeeble the public administration．It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms， kindles the animosity of one part against another，foments occasionally riot and insurrection．It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption，which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions．Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another．
There is an opinion，thatparties in free countries are usefulchecks upon the administration ofthe government， and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty．This within certain limits is probably true；and in governments of a monarchicalcast，patriotism may lookwith indulgence，if not favor，upon the spirit of party．But in those of the popular character，in governments purely elective，itis aspiritnotto be encouraged．From their naturaltendency， it is certain there willalways be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose，and there being constantdanger ofexcess，the effortoughtto be，force ofpublicopinion， to mitigate and assuage it．A fire not to be quenched demands a uniform vigilance to preventits bursting into a flame，lest，instead ofwarming，itshould consume．
George Washington
［作品点评］作为一个功绩非凡、深孚众望的开国元勋，华盛顿的这篇演说感情深沉、语言恳切，表现出他博大的胸怀和谦逊的态度，并且借此巧妙地变换了口吻，不再以当政总统身份，而是以局外人、老朋友的身份，将政府工作同听众直接联系起来，有条不紊，娓娓道来，听起来像是一位老朋友的忠告。华盛顿凭借他娴熟的演说技巧，不露痕迹便达到了预期目的。
