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What would Washington have done, were he alive in 1860?

It is really hard not to poke fun at such complete ignornce. Washington was one of the leading proponents of a strong national union.

"What stronger evidence can be given of the want of energy in our government than these disorders? If there exists not a power to check them, what security has a man of life, liberty, or property? To you, I am sure I need not add aught on this subject, the consequences of a lax or inefficient government, are too obvious to be dwelt on.

Thirteen sovereignties pulling against each other, and all tugging at the federal head, will soon bring ruin to the whole; whereas a liberal, and energetic Constitution, well guarded and closely watched, to prevent encroachments, might restore us to that degree of respectability and consequence, to which we had a fair claim, and the brightest prospect of attaining..."

George Washington to James Madison November 5, 1786,

having said prior to the Constitutional Convention:

"I do not conceive we can exist long as a nation, without having lodged somewhere a power which will pervade the whole Union in as energetic a manner, as the authority of the different state governments extends over the several states. To be fearful of vesting Congress, constituted as that body is, with ample authorities for national purposes, appears to me to be the very climax of popular absurdity and madness."

George Washington to John Jay, 15 August 1786

"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 tranquility 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.

For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. 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.

But these considerations, however powerfully they address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those which apply more immediately to your interest. Here every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole."

George Washington, 1796

Aparently, you are just completely ignorant of the historical record.

Abraham Lincoln was defending the government of the framers.

Walt

1796 was a long way from 1860 and Washington would have changed his tune when he saw the national govt. he helped create mistreat Virginia and the rest of The South. You know it's true, whether you have the guts to admit it, or not. What about Jefferson? Do you think that greatest of all Americans would have sided with the treacherous u.S. govt. or his beloved Virginia and The Constitution? Come now.....time for you to show your ignorance. And all the C&P quotes from dishonest abe proclaiming the evils of slavery do not erase the FACT that he was also quoted as calling blacks "inferior" and in no way equal to whites. He might well have gotten his way after the war and had them all sent back to Africa. Being a fan of the great hypocrite, surely you are aware of all his stances and not just the ones that further your silly fantasy about him being a great moral leader. He was a politician, every bit as slimy as clintoon and twice as crooked. It is comforting to know that he is rotting in hell with all the other murderers and despots. Good day, sir.